Pfizer Inc. entered into a collaboration with Ab Initio Biotherapeutics Inc. to discover novel therapeutic antibodies against an undisclosed target in the G-protein coupled receptor superfamily.

G-protein coupled receptors comprise the largest class of therapeutic drug targets, with key regulatory roles in physiological processes ranging from cardiovascular biology to metabolic health.

Ab Initio will be using its antibody discovery platform to help engineer the antibodies that activate the targeted receptor. It will also receive an up-front fee and research support and is eligible for milestone payments and tiered royalties on future sales of products resulting from the collaboration.

As part of this transaction, Ab Initio added Will Somers, vice president of biomedicines design at Pfizer, to the Ab Initio scientific advisory board.

Additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Pfizer will also make a strategic investment in Ab Initio alongside the company's existing investors.