Arena Pharmaceuticals

Arena Pharmaceuticals

Arena Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing innovative medicines for the treatment of various diseases. The company is known for its work in the field of gastroenterology, cardiology, and dermatology.

History

Arena Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1997 by Jack Lief and Dominic P. Behan. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California. Over the years, Arena has developed a number of drug candidates, some of which have reached the market, while others are in various stages of clinical development.

Research and Development

Arena Pharmaceuticals has a robust pipeline of drug candidates targeting a range of diseases. The company's research focuses on small molecule drugs that modulate G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are involved in many physiological processes.

Key Products

• Etrasimod: A selective sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator being developed for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
• Olorinab: A peripherally restricted, highly selective, full agonist of the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) being developed for the treatment of visceral pain associated with gastrointestinal disorders.

Acquisition

In December 2021, Arena Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Pfizer for approximately $6.7 billion. This acquisition was aimed at enhancing Pfizer's portfolio in the field of immuno-inflammatory diseases.

Collaborations and Partnerships

Arena Pharmaceuticals has entered into several collaborations and partnerships with other pharmaceutical companies to advance its drug candidates. These partnerships help in sharing resources, expertise, and risks associated with drug development.

Also see

• Pfizer
• Biopharmaceutical
• Drug development
• G protein-coupled receptor