Pfizer exercised an option to secure global licensing rights to Beam Therapeutics’ liver‑targeted gene‑editing candidate after Beam’s strategic shift away from in‑house gene therapy commercialization, according to company filings. The arrangement transfers worldwide development and commercialization responsibilities to Pfizer while Beam retains a role tied to program advancement or option economics. Beam’s platform centers on base editing with lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery for liver diseases; the licensed candidate is part of Beam’s broader pipeline expansion into liver‑targeted genetic disease programs. Pfizer’s move follows a broader industry pattern where large pharma firms secure late‑stage or platform‑validated gene‑editing assets from biotech innovators to accelerate in‑house pipeline expansion. The license consolidates ownership of a liver editing program with a partner capable of global trials and manufacturing scale, while providing Beam with capital and development milestones tied to future progress.