Pfizer's Exubera®: A Unique Background Perspective

Power of Partnering Propelled Inhaled Insulin

Plexus Ventures Aided Deal Bringing Together Nektar and Pfizer in the Development of Exubera® (Inhaled Insulin)

(Santa Monica, CA ) — 40 million diabetics in the United States and Europe could benefit from the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Exubera®, an inhaled form of insulin. Plexus Ventures, an independent pharmaceutical business development firm based in Philadelphia, PA, assisted Nektar Therapeutics, then Inhale Therapeutic Systems, in partnering with Pfizer Inc in the development of Exubera®.

Exubera® is an inhaled, rapid-acting, dry-powder insulin that is inhaled into the lungs prior to each meal, using a proprietary inhalation device and powdered insulin formulation developed by Nektar Therapeutics, in partnership with Pfizer Inc.

“It is tremendously exciting to have been at the origins of the partnership which resulted in development of this revolutionary new product. We are delighted to have assisted Nektar to negotiate its agreement with Pfizer,” said Bob Moran, President of Plexus Ventures.

Plexus Ventures was retained by Nektar Therapeutics, then Inhale Therapeutic Systems, in November 1993 to assist the company’s efforts to find a development and commercialization partner for inhaled insulin. Plexus worked with Nektar to develop a three-pronged campaign to find a partner for the product. The partnering campaign targeted pharmaceutical companies marketing at least one of the following products: insulin administered via injection, orally administered anti-diabetic drugs other than insulin, or inhalation devices for the treatment of respiratory diseases.

Plexus Ventures and Nektar targeted some 15-20 major pharmaceutical companies as potential partners. Pfizer, who marketed the oral anti-diabetic drug, Glucotrol® (glipizide), was interested in extending its diabetes franchise into insulin. After conducting thorough due diligence of Inhale’s technologies, Pfizer emerged as the leading contender to license Nektar’s insulin technologies, ultimately securing worldwide development and commercialization rights to the product. Since then, Pfizer has invested substantially in Nektar’s technologies and in the clinical development and manufacturing scale-up of Exubera. Nektar is responsible for manufacturing the fine insulin powders and supplying the inhalers.

About Plexus Ventures: Plexus Ventures, founded in 1990, provides strategic advice, business development and alliance management services to clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and drug delivery industries worldwide. Plexus Ventures assists its clients in the areas of in-licensing, out-licensing, acquisitions, divestitures and strategic partnerships. With offices in Frankfurt, London, Los Angeles , Milan , Philadelphia , Tokyo and Warsaw , Plexus Ventures possesses the capabilities to effectively serve clients in the United States , Europe and Asia . Plexus Ventures is both well-known and well respected by leading research-based pharmaceutical companies worldwide. For further information, please consult http://www.plexusventures.com.