Mediar Therapeutics, Inc.

Pfizer said it is working closely with its biotech partners to “ensure continuity and the successful transition of work.” \n As pharmas like Eli Lilly and Roche bolster their biotech offerings, Pfizer is snuffing out its program designed to incubate new innovations from select companies, dubbed Pfizer Ignite.The Ignite business unit is currently in the process of winding down, according to Pfizer’s annual report (PDF). The decision to shutter the business was made last year, according to the report. It was not mentioned in the company’s third-quarter report (PDF) filed in November, suggesting the move was recent.Through the program, Pfizer provided select biotechs aligned with its therapeutic areas of focus with strategic guidance and end-to-end R&D services. The pharma made its resources available to companies through various deal structures, such as fees for service, strategic rights or equity pacts. According to its website, the pharma tried to work with platform biotechs that hold the potential to “fuel multiple products.” In the past few years, Pfizer Ignite had partnered with Acepodia, which touts an antibody-cell conjugate (ACC) platform, and fibrosis-focused Mediar Therapeutics.Now, Pfizer said it is working closely with its biotech partners to “ensure continuity and the successful transition of work,” according to the annual report.As of publication, Pfizer has not responded to Fierce’s questions about potential layoffs associated with the closing or further context behind the decision. Ignite was one of Pfizer’s three operating segments used to manage global commercial operations, according to the company. The other two are Biopharma—which is based around the discovery, development, manufacturing, marketing, sale and distribution of products—and PC1, which focuses on contract development and supplying specialty active pharma ingredients. Last year, Pfizer Ignite brought in $41 million in revenue for the big pharma, making up less than 1% of the company’s total $62.5 billion. The unit’s revenue sank by 50% from $82 million the year prior.Pfizer’s walk back follows moves from Lilly and Roche bolstering their investment in biotech development, with both pharmas recently putting down hundreds of millions to boost biopharma activity in South Korea. Lilly’s investment is paired with the opening of another Lilly Gateway Labs, the pharma’s model that provides certain biotechs with access to state-of-the-art lab space and personalized scientific expertise.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alloy Therapeutics Inc. (“Alloy”), a biotechnology ecosystem company dedicated to democratizing access to cutting-edge drug discovery technologies, today announced the successful completion of an antibody discovery collaboration with Mediar Therapeutics . Leveraging Alloy’s ATX-Gx™ human transgenic mouse platform, advanced genetic immunization strategies, and AI/ML-enabled discovery workflows, Alloy delivered a series of differentiated binders against a new challenging target, significantly accelerating Mediar’s development timeline and allowing the company to move high-quality assets into clinical development ahead of schedule. Following the completion of the discovery campaign and acceleration into IND-enabling studies, Mediar closed an oversubscribed Series B financing, further underscoring the company’s ongoing progress in advancing novel therapies for fibrotic diseases. “Mediar’s team set an ambitious goal to tackle a complex and challenging new target, and Alloy’s expertise enabled us to execute our discovery strategy efficiently and effectively,” said Rahul Ballal, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Mediar Therapeutics. “This collaboration has allowed us to advance multiple discovery programs into the clinic, ultimately bringing us closer to improving outcomes for patients.” Alloy and Mediar previously collaborated on work that informed MTX-463 , Mediar’s lead drug program now in phase 2 clinical development for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). For this latest project, Alloy generated panels of high-quality antibodies with strong target selectivity, cross-species reactivity, and clean developability pro allowing Mediar to quickly move candidates into downstream development six months earlier than expected. “This collaboration reflects what we aim to do every day at Alloy: help partners move faster against hard biology,” said Errik Anderson, CEO and Founder of Alloy Therapeutics. “By pairing advanced discovery platforms with a deeply execution-focused, partner-first model, we’re supporting teams like Mediar as they push promising therapies closer to the patients who need them most.” Alloy Therapeutics works with more than 200 partners worldwide, supports over 100 active drug programs and has contributed to more than 20 IND filings by partners since the launch of its first platform. To learn more about Alloy’s work with Mediar, view the full case study here: . About Alloy Therapeutics Alloy Therapeutics is a biotechnology ecosystem company empowering the future of drug discovery and development with AI-powered platforms and scientific expertise. Through a collaborative partnership approach, Alloy provides access to technologies, services, and company-creation capabilities that are foundational to discovering and developing therapeutic biologics across multiple therapeutic modalities: antibodies, bispecifics, TCRs, genetic medicines, cell therapies, and drug delivery. Alloy integrates AI/ML into its discovery and development infrastructure, combining proprietary models, real-world data, and human expertise to help partners advance therapeutic programs. At Alloy, we are redefining biologics redevelopment by reducing the time and cost to advance programs from discovery to human data. Join the Alloy Therapeutics community by visiting and following Alloy on LinkedIn . About Mediar Therapeutics Mediar Therapeutics is pioneering a new approach to fibrosis treatment that aims to halt the disease at a different source – the myofibroblast, the key pathogenic cell in fibrosis that drives scarring, disease progression, and ultimately organ failure. Mediar was founded based on a deep understanding of the complex science underlying fibrosis progression. By combining novel targets with reliable, easily detectable blood biomarkers and familiar modalities, Mediar’s goal is to bring forward novel anti-fibrotic therapies that potentially have a precision medicine approach. For more information, contact info@mediartx.com or follow us on LinkedIn . Contacts Alloy Therapeutics Media Contact: Hal Mackins hal@torchcomllc.com Mediar Therapeutics Media Contact: MEDIA@MEDIARTX.COM

Series B Co-led by New Investors Amplitude Ventures and ICG MTX-474 Global Phase 2a study Initiated in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) MTX-463 Global Phase 2a Study in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Enrolling & Partnered with Lilly MTX-439 Advancing to Phase 1 studies for Fibrosis Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) BOSTON, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mediar Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing first-in-class therapies designed to halt fibrosis, today announced an oversubscribed $76 million Series B financing co-led by Amplitude Ventures and ICG, with participation from new investors Longwood Fund, Asahi Kasei Pharma Ventures, Alexandria Real Estate Trust (ARE), and existing Series A investors. Joining the Mediar board from Amplitude Ventures is Bharat Srinivasa, PhD, and from ICG is Allan Marchington, PhD. Proceeds from the financing will further support advancement of Mediar's wholly owned assets, including MTX-474, an antagonist of EphrinB2, being studied in a Phase 2a study in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and MTX-439, a SMOC2 antagonist, proceeding to Phase 1 studies for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated fibrosis. "It has been a transformative 12 months for Mediar, from our deal with Eli Lilly and Company on MTX-463, to this oversubscribed Series B financing with leading biotech investors," said Rahul Ballal, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Mediar Therapeutics. "With $175 million raised through these transactions, we can advance our novel anti-fibrotics through clinical studies and potentially bring life-changing therapies to patients suffering from fibrosing diseases of the skin, lung, and kidney. I would like to take this moment to thank our entire Mediar team for their dedication and demonstration that direct targeting of the myofibroblast holds promise to halt fibrosis." The company has initiated the EncompaSSc trial, a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 24-week Phase 2a study designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of MTX-474 in approximately 90 patients living with SSc, using the validated mRSS (Modified Rodnan Skin Score) tool, as the primary endpoint. "The EncompaSSc study marks an important milestone in our effort to bring new treatment options to patients living with SSc," said Lorinda Chung, MD, MS, Global Principal Investigator of the trial and professor of Medicine and Dermatology at Stanford Medicine. "Emerging research shows that EphrinB2 signaling may contribute to the progression of fibrosis in multiple organ systems impacted by systemic sclerosis. These patients have a large unmet need, and this Phase 2a trial will allow us to evaluate MTX-474's potential to treat patients suffering with this disease." "By addressing the fundamental causes of fibrosis, Mediar is paving the way for transformative clinical advances in the field," said Allan Marchington, PhD, Head of Life Sciences at ICG. "We are proud to co-lead this financing to accelerate these vital therapies." "We are excited about Mediar's unique approach to targeting fibrosis across multiple organ systems," added Bharat Srinivasa, PhD, Principal at Amplitude Ventures. "Together, we aim to translate this deep scientific understanding into novel therapies that positively impact patient lives." The company is also finalizing an IND-enabling package for MTX-439, a SMOC2 antagonist, for the treatment of fibrosis associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), with plans to initiate Phase 1 studies in the first half of 2026. About MTX-474 MTX-474 is a first-in-class human IgG1 antibody designed to neutralize the EphrinB2 signaling that causes the onset and progression of fibrosis. Ephrin ligands and Eph receptors mediate biological processes involved in tissue fibrosis including cell migration, myofibroblast activation, and tissue remodeling. A growing body of evidence has implicated EphrinB2 in the fibrosis of the skin, lungs, and heart. Expression of EphrinB2 and its receptors are measurable in human blood and correlates with disease severity. A Phase 1 study was recently completed and a Phase 2 clinical study in patients with SSc is now open (NCT07287670). More information can be found at About MTX-463 MTX-463 is a first-in-class human IgG1 antibody developed against WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein-1 (WISP1). WISP1 is a secreted matricellular protein shown to have a relevant role in fibrosis progression, is measurable in human blood, and correlates with disease severity. Data indicates that MTX-463 neutralizes WISP1-mediated fibrotic signaling and significantly reduced fibrosis in vitro and in various preclinical models. A Phase 1 study was recently completed and a Phase 2 study in patients with IPF is now open (NCT06967805). More information can be found at: About MTX-439 MTX-439 is a first-in-class human IgG1 antibody engineered to inhibit the activity of SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2 (SMOC2). SMOC2 has been shown to promote extracellular matrix assembly and cell adhesiveness. SMOC2 is a driver of renal fibrosis and SMOC2 levels are elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease, both in the tissue and in circulation. MTX-439 selectively binds to SMOC2 and neutralizes its activity significantly reducing fibrosis in multiple preclinical models. MTX-439 is anticipated to enter Phase 1 studies in the first half of 2026. About Mediar Therapeutics Mediar Therapeutics is pioneering a new approach to fibrosis treatment that aims to halt the disease at a different source – the myofibroblast, the key pathogenic cell in fibrosis that drives scarring, disease progression, and ultimately organ failure. Mediar was founded based on a deep understanding of the complex science underlying fibrosis progression. By combining novel targets with reliable, easily detectable blood biomarkers and familiar modalities, Mediar's goal is to bring forward novel anti-fibrotic therapies that potentially have a precision medicine approach. For more information, contact [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn. Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Mediar Therapeutics 21% more press release views with Request a Demo