ARIAD Pharmaceuticals

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals

Logo of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals was an American pharmaceutical company that focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of medicines for cancer patients. The company was known for its work in developing targeted therapies for rare and difficult-to-treat cancers.

History

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals was founded in 1991 by Harvey J. Berger, M.D. The company was headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a hub for biotechnology and pharmaceutical research. Over the years, ARIAD developed a number of innovative therapies, with a focus on small molecule drugs that target specific proteins involved in cancer cell growth and survival.

Products

One of ARIAD's most notable products was ponatinib, marketed under the brand name Iclusig. Ponatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of certain types of leukemia, including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that are resistant to other treatments. The drug works by inhibiting the activity of the BCR-ABL protein, which is produced by the Philadelphia chromosome abnormality in these leukemias.

Another significant product developed by ARIAD was brigatinib, marketed as Alunbrig. Brigatinib is used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that is positive for the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation. This drug is part of a class of medications known as ALK inhibitors, which target the abnormal ALK protein that drives cancer cell growth in some lung cancers.

Acquisition

In 2017, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan. The acquisition allowed Takeda to expand its oncology portfolio and leverage ARIAD's expertise in targeted cancer therapies.

Research and Development

ARIAD was committed to advancing the field of oncology through rigorous research and development. The company focused on identifying novel targets for cancer therapy and developing drugs that could effectively inhibit these targets. ARIAD's research efforts were supported by collaborations with academic institutions and other biotechnology companies.

Legacy

Although ARIAD Pharmaceuticals is no longer an independent company, its contributions to the field of oncology continue to impact cancer treatment. The therapies developed by ARIAD have provided new options for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers and have paved the way for further advancements in targeted cancer therapies.

Related pages

• Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
• Tyrosine kinase inhibitor
• Chronic myeloid leukemia
• Non-small cell lung cancer

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  Logo of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals