VLST in-licenses Pfizer's anti-CD40 mAb

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) granted VLST Corp. (Seattle, Wash.) worldwide rights to cancer compound CP-870,893. The anti- CD40 mAb has completed five Phase I trials. VLST expects to start additional Phase I testing in about 6-9 months to confirm dosing and safety information ahead of Phase II trials. Pfizer received an upfront payment, which includes a 5% stake in VLST, and is eligible for milestones, plus royalties. Additionally, the pharma retains co-exclusive rights in the cancer vaccine field. VLST declined to provide financial details, while Pfizer could not be reached.

CP-870,893 is VLST's first clinical-stage product and is the company's first foray into cancer. VLST's pipeline also includes preclinical autoimmune and inflammation products: VLST-007, a dimeric protein comprised of human CD47 extracellular domain fused to the Fc portion of a human IgG1 molecule, and VLST-002, an anti-chemokine antibody. ...