BRIEF: Pfizer, Ligand ink JAK-3 pact

Posted on: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:46:00 EST


Symbols: PFE, LGND
Nov 07, 2009 (The Day - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
PFE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Pfizer Inc. has extended its agreement with Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. to continue research on the JAK-3 inhibitor, a promising new therapy for rheumatoid arthritis that started in the drug behemoth's Groton labs.

The one-year agreement calls for Ligand to receive $3.1 million in payments, along with up to $175 million related to meeting certain milestones.

Ligand said JAK-3 could represent a new class of drugs used to suppress the body's immune-system response. In addition to rheumatoid arthritis, JAK-3 is being tested on Crohn's disease, psoriasis and transplants of solid organs such as the heart, liver or kidney.

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