South San Francisco-based Renovis announced that it has achieved two milestones in its research collaboration with Pfizer. The two companies signed a deal in 2005 to focus on developing an inhibitor on VR1, a protein that plays a role in inflicting pain. The milestones include the placement of a second product candidate from the VR1 program into IND-enabling studies as well as completion of certain studies with a previously nominated compound.
"VR1 antagonists have the potential to become breakthrough treatments for chronic pain and several other important indications," said Corey S. Goodman, Ph.D., President and CEO. "Our goal for the VR1 program with Pfizer has been to discover and develop multiple product candidates to address the needs of patients in these areas. With the recent nomination of a second candidate for IND-enabling studies we believe we are making excellent progress toward this goal."
- see Renovis' release