Pfizer says it has signed a deal with Germany’s Schering AG, which gives it a license to a portfolio of pre-clinical compounds that could have potential in the prevention of strokes and heart attacks.

The deal – the financial details of which have not been disclosed – underlines Schering’s current strategy of exiting areas of research it no longer considers core to its business. The company is concentrating its efforts on the field of oncology, as part of its so-called Focus initiative, which began last year [[15/06/04c]].

Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer acquires the exclusive worldwide rights to Schering’s ADP receptor antagonist programme – anti-platelet agents used to chronically inhibit arterial thrombosis and to prevent stroke and myocardial infarctions in high risk patients – and will have the rights to develop and market the products in return for upfront fees, milestone payments and royalties.