Pfiz­er bankrolls an on­colyt­ics biotech up­start with an eye on a fu­ture buy­out

Pfiz­er is bankrolling a new on­colyt­ic virus start­up, tak­ing a 50% stake in the can­cer drug out­fit while hold­ing an op­tion to buy it if the founders ap­pear to be on the right R&D track.

The up­start is Ig­nite Im­munother­a­py, based in Alame­da, CA, which is be­ing launched by a group of ex­pe­ri­enced on­colyt­ics hands. Berke­ley ad­junct pro­fes­sor David Kirn, the CEO of 4D Mol­e­c­u­lar Ther­a­peu­tics, is the co-founder, along with Berke­ley’s Dave Schaf­fer.

Unlock this article instantly by becoming a free subscriber.

You’ll get access to free articles each month, plus you can customize what newsletters get delivered to your inbox each week, including breaking news.

SIGN UP LOG IN BECOME A PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER