(External News) University College London and Pfizer Join forces to find AMD Cure

12 May 2009

In a landmark deal, the University College London and the biopharmaceutical group Pfizer have entered into a collaboration to develop treatment for Macular Degeneration, an eye condition that affects more than 500,000 people in Britain.

The project, led by the UCL Institute for Ophthalmology’s Professor, Pete Coffey, will see both organisations working together to gain a better understanding into how to develop stem cell-based treatment for certain eye conditions.

Speaking of the collaboration Professor Pete Coffey said: “We have not only the benefit of Pfizer’s experience of the regulatory process and their expertise in stem cell technology but the ability, if this works, to produce on a much larger scale. It has huge implications, not only for our project, but for the field of regenerative medicine as a whole. And it is great that Britain is at the forefront of this research,”

Under the agreement, Pfizer will provide funding to UCL to permit research into the development treatment for Age-related Macular Degeneration as well as other retinal diseases. In return, Pfizer will gain exclusive rights to develop and conduct clinical trials of the treatment, and to commercialise on any cure.

Ruth McKernan, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Pfizer Regenerative Medicine. “While we have much to learn about how stem cells can be used therapeutically, we are confident that this relationship will increase that understanding and help us advance to a time when our work may benefit patients worldwide.”

This landmark deal is one of the first of its kind regarding stem-cell research in this area.