Pfizer and SFJ Pharmaceuticals Group have entered into a collaborative development agreement to conduct a Phase III trial for Pfizer's investigational pan-human epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, dacomitinib. The trial will evaluate dacomitinib as a first-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).
 
SFJ will provide the funding and clinical development supervision to support a registration dossier on dacomitinib for marketing authorization. If approved, SFJ will be eligible to receive milestone payments and earn-out payments.
 
"At SFJ, our mission is to accelerate the availability of new and innovative drugs into the world's major markets through co-development," said Robert DeBenedetto, SFJ's president and chief executive officer. "With this important, multi-national trial, we are pleased to continue our collaborative relationship with Pfizer and support the clinical development of a promising new agent for the treatment of lung cancer."
 
"Pfizer is committed to building innovative partnerships that enable us to advance our clinical development programs and deliver new cancer medicines to patients as efficiently as possible around the world," said Garry Nicholson, president and general manager, Pfizer Oncology. "By collaborating with SFJ on the continued clinical development of dacomitinib in this patient population, we hope to more immediately bring a new first-line therapy to patients in need."