Biogen Moves Into Neuropsychiatry With Pfizer AMPA Receptor Modulator

12 Mar 2018

The Phase IIb-ready, glutamate-modulating candidate shelved by Pfizer after a portfolio review will help Biogen offset the risk posed by its Phase III Alzheimer's candidate aducanumab.

Human brain illustrated with millions of small nerves - Conceptual 3d render

Biogen Inc. has been planning to diversify its neuroscience R&D efforts by moving into neuropsychiatric indications, and on March 12 it made a start on that by acquiring the stalled AMPA receptor potentiator PF-04958242 from Pfizer Inc. for the unmet medical need of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia.

Pfizer advanced the first-in-class oral candidate into Phase II in schizophrenia previously, but set the molecule aside in 2016 before...