Pfizer’s Orphan and Genetic Disease Research Unit, which was established in July 2010, has struck its first drug discovery deal, thus continuing the company’s foray into rare diseases. The early-stage research collaboration with privately held Zacharon Pharmaceuticals, which is worth approximately US$210 M, will provide the big pharma company with access to Zacharon’s glycobiology drug discovery platform to develop drugs for multiple orphan diseases, including lysosomal storage disorders.