Pfizer ends DMD gene therapy, cuts Sanford staff

A month after the failure of its Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene therapy trial, Pfizer has officially ceased the development of fordadistrogene movaparvovec and announced layoffs at its Sanford, North Carolina facility, which was involved in manufacturing the experimental treatment.

In June, Pfizer disclosed that its DMD gene therapy did not meet the primary endpoint of the CIFFREO Phase III trial, along with several key secondary endpoints. Given these disappointing results, Pfizer informed that it will not continue the development of fordadistrogene movaparvovec. A spokesperson for the company confirmed this decision and stated that approximately 150 employees at the Sanford facility would be affected by the layoffs.

The spokesperson also revealed that another facility in North Carolina, specifically the Rocky Mount site, will experience a reduction in workforce. Around 60 positions will be eliminated as the site stops producing large volume solutions. The decision is driven by a combination of lower projected demand for their products and ongoing modernization efforts at the site. As part of these changes, Pfizer will decommission certain manufacturing lines while preparing to launch new ones.

To manage its large volume solutions business, Pfizer plans to switch to a contract manufacturing organization (CMO). This move is expected to optimize operations in light of the shifting demand and modernization at their North Carolina facilities.

These steps come as Pfizer reassesses its pipeline and operational strategies following the setback in its gene therapy program. The company aims to adapt its resources and capabilities to better align with current market demands and future growth opportunities.