Pfizer Enters Acquisition Deal for Immuno-Therapeutics Pipeline

Pfizer recently entered into a $2.26-billion pharma acquisition deal with clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, Trillium, to strengthen its next-generation, investigational immuno-therapeutics pipeline for hematological malignancies. 

Trillium’s portfolio includes biologics designed to boost the ability of patients’ innate immune systems to detect and destroy cancer cells, including two leading molecules, TTI-622 and TTI-621. 

TTI-622 and TTI-621 are potentially best-in-class fusion proteins that block the signal-regulatory protein (SIRPa)-CD47 axis. SIRPa CD47 is emerging as a key immune checkpoint in hematological malignancies. 

Currently, Trillium has the only known SIRPa-CD47 targeting molecules with clinically meaningful monotherapy responses.

“The proposed acquisition of Trillium builds on our strong track record of leadership in Oncology, enhancing our hematology portfolio as we strive to improve outcomes for people living with blood cancers around the globe,” Andy Schmeltz, global president & general manager of Pfizer Oncology, said in the announcement. 

“We have developed across our growing hematology portfolio of eight approved and investigational therapies, provide us with a foundation to advance these important potential medicines to patients who need them,” Schmeltz continued.

Hematological malignancies affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. 

In 2020, more than 1 million people globally were diagnosed with blood cancer and over 700,000 people died from a form of blood cancer, a Pfizer spokesperson explained.

In recent studies, TTI-622 and TTI-621 demonstrated activity as monotherapy in relapsed or refractory lymphoid malignancies, including Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, Peripheral T-cell lymphoma, Follicular Lymphoma, and other lymphoid malignancies.

TTI-622 also showed “deep and durable” responses in heavily pretreated patients, including two complete responses. One complete response lasted over 114 weeks and is still ongoing.

Jan Skvarka, MD, chief executive officer of Trillium, said that the company is “delighted to announce Pfizer’s proposed acquisition of Trillium.” 

“With Pfizer’s global reach and deep capabilities, we believe our programs will advance more quickly to the patients we’ve always aspired to serve. We believe this is a good outcome for patients and our shareholders,” Skvarka concluded.