Pfizer continues to search for ways to bolster its pipeline outside its own investment in internal R&D resources. In this case, the company has decided to invest $100 M over 5 years in a research collaboration with the University of California at San Francisco's Mission Bay campus.
The deal is part of Pfizer's strategy to invest in existing biotech R&D clusters and is similar to a deal Pfizer did previously at the Center for Therapeutic Innovation in Boston. Investing in clusters has become a trendy device amongst several members of big pharma (Sanofi, Lilly, Bayer, etc). Given Pfizer's recent history in R&D investment over the past several years -- Pfizer investors probably hope that this isn't just another cluster. See Fierce Biotech.
Posted by Bruce Lehr July 26th 2011.
Commentary on this investment from In the Pipeline blog
http://pipeline.corante.com/archives/2011/07/22/right_up_next_to_academia.php
Posted by: bigredbruce | 07/26/2011 at 02:51 PM