Gliknik, a privately-held biopharmaceutical company, has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Pfizer for GL-2045, Gliknik's recombinant stradomer, a drug candidate that is designed to replace and improve on pooled human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). GL-2045 has shown promising results in preclinical tests and is being developed as a potential treatment for a wide variety of autoimmune diseases, including those in which IVIG is clinically used.

Pfizer will receive an exclusive worldwide license to GL-2045 for all therapeutic indications. Gliknik will receive an upfront payment of $25 million and is eligible to receive development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments. Gliknik also is eligible to receive tiered, double-digit royalties on net sales of any products commercialized.

"People with certain autoimmune diseases have limited treatment options, difficult regimens and, often, a poor prognosis," said Jose Carlos Gutierrez-Ramos, Ph.D., group senior vice president and head of biotherapeutics R&D at Pfizer. "Pooled IVIG has a long history of use but has a number of limitations."