January 14, 2009

Pfizer Inc. (PFE) is seeking partnerships with companies that will help build its pipeline of biotechnology drugs, vaccines and regenerative medicine, said PFE head of research, Martin Mackay.

Pfizer, which has struggled with generic competition and setbacks in bringing new drugs to market, is trying to beef up its research pipeline as part of a broader effort to turn its business around.

Mackay said Pfizer was interested in "platform technologies," which means proprietary science that can be harnessed to develop multiple drugs across various disease areas and not just a single experimental drug.

He said Pfizer is looking for more biotechnology-style drugs, which many big drug makers believe represent a bigger sales and profit growth opportunity than traditional pharmaceutical pills.

He also said Pfizer is seeking to license some of its homegrown experimental drugs to other companies as they were designed to treat diseases that Pfizer no longer include among top priorities.

He added that the company was trying to increase its research productivity, which has been poor in recent years.