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Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb Finalize Agreement for Worldwide Collaboration on Metabolic Disorders Program
Companies Will Jointly Conduct Phase III Development and Commercialization of DGAT-1 Inhibitor Compounds

29 Aug 2007 - Pfizer Inc and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced that they have finalized a definitive agreement for the worldwide collaboration to research, develop and commercialize DGAT-1 inhibitors. Pfizer's DGAT-1 discovery program includes advanced pre-clinical compounds with potential applications for the treatment of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes. The program also includes DGAT-1 inhibitors in-licensed by Pfizer from Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation in June 2006, including a pre-clinical compound (known as PF-04415060 or BAY 74-4113) originally discovered by Bayer.
 
Under terms of the agreement, Pfizer will be responsible for all research and early-stage development activities for the metabolic disorders program, and the companies will jointly conduct Phase III development and commercialization activities.
 
Triglycerides are the principal component of fat, which is the major repository for storage of metabolic energy in the body. DGAT-1 (diacylglycerol acyl transferase-1) is an enzyme critical to the creation of triglycerides and fat storage. Overweight and obese individuals have significantly greater triglyceride levels, making them more prone to diabetes and its associated metabolic complications. In studies of obese animals, DGAT-1 inhibitors have been shown to induce weight loss and improve glucose tolerance and lipid levels. These observations suggest DGAT-1 inhibitors may have the potential to treat obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia.