Pfizer announced a non‑exclusive research collaboration with biotechnology company Gordian Bio on January 8, 2026. The partnership will deploy Gordian’s proprietary in‑vivo mosaic screening platform to prioritize novel obesity targets directly within visceral adipose tissue.
Gordian’s platform combines pooled AAV libraries, tissue‑specific promoters, large‑scale genetic perturbation, and single‑cell sequencing to generate transcriptional readouts for hundreds of targets in living tissue. By evaluating gene function in the native adipose environment, the platform is expected to accelerate the identification of targets that modulate adipocyte state, inflammation, insulin signaling, and metabolic pathways.
The collaboration is part of Pfizer’s broader effort to rebuild its obesity pipeline after the April 2025 discontinuation of its oral GLP‑1 agonist danuglipron, which was halted because of potential liver injury signals. The partnership complements Pfizer’s September 2025 acquisition of Metsera, a company developing a GLP‑1‑based therapy that entered phase 2a in early 2026.
While the financial terms of the collaboration have not been disclosed, the partnership signals a significant commitment to expanding Pfizer’s therapeutic focus beyond oncology and vaccines into metabolic diseases. Gordian Bio has raised $60 million to date from investors such as The Longevity Fund, Arctica Ventures, and Founders Fund, underscoring the technology’s promise.
Analysts view the deal as a strategic pivot that could diversify Pfizer’s obesity portfolio and reduce reliance on GLP‑1 agonists. The collaboration also positions Pfizer to capitalize on the projected growth of the obesity drug market, which is expected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars by 2035.
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