Singapore: Global pharmaceutical company, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and California Institute for Biomedical Research (Calibr) have collaborated to develop novel small molecule for anti-fibrotic therapies.

Bristol-Myers Squibb is also licensed to develop, manufacture and commercialize Calibr's preclinical compounds resulting from the collaboration.

"Bristol-Myers Squibb's collaboration with Calibr further strengthens our specialty portfolio and advances the company's fibrotic diseases pipeline with the addition of this promising program," said Dr Carl Decicco, head of discovery, R&D, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "Calibr's innovative discovery program in fibrosis represents an opportunity to develop new treatment approaches for patients."

"Progressing our small molecule anti-fibrotic program toward the clinic represents a critical step in our mission to deliver therapies for unmet medical needs to patients," said Dr Peter G Schultz, Institute Director and Founder of Calibr. "We are delighted to accelerate these efforts by partnering with Bristol-Myers Squibb."

Calibr is an independent, not-for-profit organization focused on the translation of basic biomedical discoveries into innovative new medicines.