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Pfizer and life sciences incubator Flagship Pioneering announced on August 28 that they are partnering on two new research programs through Quotient Therapeutics, a Flagship-founded biotech research company.
Quotient, working with Flagship’s drug development unit, will analyze somatic genetic mutations in tissues of people with heart and kidney diseases in order to find treatments, according to a press release.
Most investigations into the genetic causes of heart disease, according to a review published in 2022, focus on hereditary mutations. But somatic mutations—which occur after conception and continuously throughout a person’s lifetime—have also emerged as potential culprits over the last few years, the review found. Multiple studies have also linked somatic mutations to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
Quotient’s somatic genetics platform made it a perfect partner for this investigation, Bill Sessa, SVP and chief scientific officer of internal medicine research at Pfizer, said in the release.
“This strategic collaboration with Flagship provides an opportunity to explore early discovery work with Quotient’s proprietary platform to potentially unlock new targets for cardiovascular and renal disease,” Sessa said. “With our deep cardiometabolic heritage, we will continue to push the boundaries of research innovation to help address significant gaps in care that remain for these patients.”
Quotient is one of 40+ companies backed by the venture capital firm, including, most famously, Moderna, which was co-founded by Flagship’s creator and CEO Noubar Afeyan.
The big picture. This is the latest chapter in a July 2023 agreement between Pfizer and Flagship to build 10 single-asset programs together, an effort led by Flagship’s drug R&D unit, Pioneering Medicines. According to a release, Pfizer has pledged to not only fund these programs but to pay up to $700 million for each product that makes it to market.
So far the partners have established this kidney and heart program as well as a program announced in June, aimed at finding new treatments for obesity.