Pfizer has entered into an exclusive global collaboration and license agreement with YaoPharma — a Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical a subsidiary — for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of YP05002, a small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist currently in trials for chronic weight management.
Pfizer plans to conduct combination studies of YP05002, currently in phase 1 trials, with its glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) antagonist, PF-07976016, currently in phase 2 development, and with other small molecules in its pipeline.
Per the deal, YaoPharma will complete the ongoing YP05002 phase 1 trial and grants Pfizer an exclusive license to further develop and commercialize YP05002 worldwide. YaoPharma will receive an upfront payment of $150 million and is eligible to receive milestone payments associated with certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones up to $1.935 billion, as well as tiered royalties on sales, if approved.
This continued push in obesity comes after Pfizer emerged victorious from a bidding war with Novo Nordisk, inking a $10 billion deal to pick up GLP-1 developer, Metsera. The deal gives Pfizer a portfolio of differentiated oral and injectable incretin, non-incretin and combination therapy candidates.