Pfizer today has announced the acquisition of Amplyx Pharmaceuticals, a private firm focusing on the production of drugs for crippling and life-threatening diseases that impact people with weakened immune systems. Fosmanogepix (APX001), Amplyx leading compound, is an innovative experimental asset that is being produced for treating invasive fungal infections.
Every year, invasive fungal infections affect over 1.5 million people globally, with death rates ranging from 30% to 80% based on the types of infection. With an innovative mechanism of action(MOA), Fosmanogepix can attack fungal strains that became resistant to conventional therapy. Anti-fungal resistance may greatly restrict treatment choices, since there are only 3 main classes of anti-fungal medications available, a possible new therapeutic class could be significant for both patients and doctors. In nearly two decades, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved a single new therapeutic class for anti-fungal treatment.
Angela Lukin, global president of Pfizer hospital said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has been a stark reminder of the devastating impact of infectious diseases, highlighting the continuous need for new anti-infective therapies to treat both emerging and difficult to treat bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.” She added, “We are deeply committed to helping patients suffering from infectious diseases, continuously seeking opportunities to build our portfolio of anti-infective therapies. We’ve already invested in assets that, if approved, could help address drug-resistant bacterial infections and critical viral infections; with this acquisition, we look forward to progressing the development of a novel anti-fungal as well.”
Fosmanogepix is currently undergoing phase-2 clinical trials to assess the safety and effectiveness of both oral and IV (intravenous) dosage form in treating patients that are affected by serious invasive fungal infections caused by yeasts, molds, and rare molds (e.g. Candida species including Candida Auris, Aspergillus species, Fusarium, and Scedosporium species). In-vitro studies of Fosmanogepix showed a wide range of activity and widespread distribution to several body tissues such as kidneys, lungs, brain, and eyes. Fosmanogepix, which is being developed in both oral and IV dosage forms, could allow the patients to switch from IV to oral formulation, eventually allowing them to continue their therapy outside the hospital.
Besides Fosmanogepix, Pfizer has also acquired Amplyx’s initial pipeline which contains anti-fungal (APX2039) and antiviral (MAU868) drugs.
Infectious Diseases are causing over 8.4 million deaths worldwide per year, ranking them second in the top 10 causes of casualties according to WHO. A variety of microbes, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites cause infections that can be transmitted in the community or clinical settings, or hospitals.
Pfizer made an initial capital investment in Amplyx as a part of its series C financing in December 2019. Pfizer was a member of the world’s top-class biotechnology investors at that time, which included 3×5 Partners, Adage Capital Management, BioMed Ventures, Arix Biosciences, Lundbeckfonden, Pappas Capital, New Enterprise Associates, RiverVest Partners, and Sofinnova Investment.
The economic conditions of this acquisition weren’t publicized.
Pfizer’s legal consultant in this agreement was DLA Piper LLP (US), while Amalyx’s legal consultant was Cooley LLP and Evercore served as its financial adviser.
