In January 2023, Pfizer announced the discontinuation of recifercept, a soluble recombinant human fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) decoy indicated for achondroplasia. This discontinuation was one among seven other of their programs.
Recifercept is the most advanced rare disease candidate to become surplus to requirements in the latest pipeline update. The molecule is designed to bind to fibroblast growth factor isoforms and thereby act as a decoy that reduces FGFR3 signaling. Seeing that FGFR3 mutations drive inhibitory signaling in the rare disease achondroplasia, Pfizer made the condition its focus indication for recifercept development.
The program looked to be on track late last year, when Pfizer began a pilot project to check the feasibility of constructing a concurrent external control for recifercept, but has now hit the skids. The termination of development comes weeks after Pfizer wrapped up a phase 2 trial of the long-term safety and efficacy of recifercept.
Taylor, N. P. (2023, January 31). Pfizer punts pair of orphan drugs amid rare disease R&D rethink. Fierce Biotech. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/pfizer-punts-pair-orphan-drugs-amid-rare-disease-rd-rethink
pfizer in the news
15 December 2020 – Pfizer Doses First Participants as Part of Global Achondroplasia Phase 2 Development Program
1 July 2019 – Pfizer Completes Acquisition of Therachon
8 March 2019 – Pfizer Acquires Clinical-Stage Biotech Therachon