Alongside Pfizer Venture Investments, which led the financing, were venture capital firm New Enterprise Associates and property debt manager Alexandria Real Estate Equities.

Cydan, a US-based orphan drug accelerator, has launched with $16m from a consortium including local drugs maker Pfizer’s corporate venturing unit.

Alongside Pfizer Venture Investments, which led the financing, were venture capital firm New Enterprise Associates and property debt manager Alexandria Real Estate Equities.

Barbara Dalton, vice-president of venture capital at Pfizer Venture Investments and a member of the Global Corporate Venturing Powerlist 100, said: “The Cydan accelerator model is a collaborative new way to explore therapeutic opportunities in the…