Why Pfizer Is Pulling Back on Research Into Rare Disease, Gene Therapy

Pfizer


is planning to pull back on early-stage research into treatments for rare diseases, including the development of new viral-based gene therapies, the company told employees on Thursday afternoon.

The company said it would “externalize” most of its early-stage rare disease programs in neurology and cardiology, and gene therapy programs not yet in clinical trials. Among the assets on the chopping block is gene therapy manufacturing facility in Durham, North Carolina, in which the company announced in December 2021 it was investing nearly $70 million.