Pfizer invests in French gene therapy co.

March 20, 2019

Pfizer announced it has acquired a 15 percent stake in Vivet Therapeutics, with an exclusive option to fully acquire the privately-held French gene therapy company.

Pfizer has paid about $51 million upfront and may pay up to $635.8 million in clinical and regulatory milestone payments.

Pfizer is waiting on Vivet's delivery of certain data from an early-stage clinical trial for its VTX-801, an experimental treatment for Wilson disease, a rare disorder that can cause liver disease. The drugmakers plan to collaborate on the development of the treatment. According to Pfizer, bringing together Pfizer’s and Vivet’s expertise in liver-directed AAV gene therapy for metabolic diseases creates an opportunity to develop a breakthrough medicine that can meaningfully improve the lives of patients with Wilson disease. 

Read the press release.