Pfizer and Moderna’s parent are investing $100 million in a new partnership to find the next big drug

I took note last week when Pfizer and Flagship Pioneering, parent of Moderna, announced they were teaming up in a “novel agreement” to create a pipeline of innovative medicines. The two companies proved their commitment to rapid innovation during the pandemic, when they both developed new vaccines in record time, so I felt their $100 million deal deserved extra attention. I spoke yesterday with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla and Flagship CEO Noubar Afeyan and asked them: What makes this agreement “novel”?