Healthy Skepticism Library item: 7158
Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.
Publication type: news
Langreth R.
Six Pfizer Drugs To Watch
Forbes.com 2006 Nov 30
http://www.forbes.com/2006/11/30/pfizer-drug-pipeline-biz-cz_rl_1130drugs.html?partner=yahootix
Abstract:
Pfizer is trying to convince Wall Street that it has a robust pipeline, following a series of pipeline setbacks in recent years. Among other problems, Pfizer pulled out of an effort to develop a sleeping pill called Indiplon after it ran into problems at the FDA, and just this week it discontinued a schizophrenia drug pact. Meanwhile, the company said that the antibiotic Dalbavancin, which has been delayed at the FDA, should be approved in the first half of 2007. Another drug that has been delayed because of manufacturing issues is ETC-216, an injected compound to clear plaque from arteries; it could enter large scale trials within a year, Pfizer said.
Here are some of the more intriguing potential new drugs discussed at the company’s analysts meeting today that bear watching:
CP 945,598
Obesity
This drug aims to stop the munchies and is a potential competitor to Sanofi-Aventis’ (nyse: SNY – news – people ) Rimbonabant, now under extended FDA review. The compound reduced weight by about 5% after six months in a second stage trial, with few side effects so far. It is beginning final stage human tests. But until the Sanofi drug is approved, a cloud will hang over the class.
CP 751,871
Prostate and lung cancer
This monoclonal antibody aims to shut down an important growth-promoting protein called IGF-1, which tumors may use as an accelerant to keep growing fast. “It looks like this is important in adding to aggressiveness in all sorts of tumor types. It helps tumors withstand assaults like chemotherapy,” says Pfizer’s (nyse: PFE – news – people ) Michael Morin. Pfizer has crafted an antibody to the IGF-1 receptor that, in an initial human trial, has shown the ability to shrink lung and other tumors; it is now in second stage tests in lung and prostate cancer. One potential worry is whether the drug will also bind to the insulin receptor and boost blood sugar levels; no big problems on this front have been seen so far.
Axitinib
Cancer
This cancer drug is a successor to the company’s Sutent kidney cancer drug and aims to cut off tumor blood supply. In a midstage trial of 60 patients with advanced thyroid cancer, 12 patients saw their tumors shrink and another 30 patients had their tumors stabilize while on the drug. Pfizer said the compound is moving soon into final stage trials for thyroid breast and lung cancer.
Maraviroc
HIV
Pfizer said it would ask the FDA next month to approve this novel HIV drug that could help in difficult cases where other drugs have failed. The drug prevents the virus from entering human cells by clogging up a receptor, CCR5, that docks with cells and infects them. Pfizer appears to be leading several rivals in the CCR5 field, but some doctors reportedly worry that all the drugs could affect the immune system—risky business for an AIDS drug.
CP 690,550
Rheumatoid arthritis
Pfizer claims that this drug, which came out of efforts to make a new transplant drug, may be more effective than marketed arthritis drugs such as Humira from Abbott Laboratories (nyse: ABT – news – people ). It has the additional advantage this it is a pill. Second stage trials are ongoing.
RN1219
Alzheimer’s disease
This is one of Pfizer’s main entries into race to find a good treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. One major theory is that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by fragments of a protein called beta-amyloid that accumulate in the brain and poison nerve cells. The drug is a monoclonal antibody that binds the beta-amyloid and removes it from the brain. It is just entering initial trials and is competing with drugs from Eli Lilly (nyse: LLY – news – people ) and Wyeth (nyse: WYE – news – people ). “I really think we have a fighting chance at finding a cure for this disease,” said Pfizer’s Martin Mackay. Hanging over the class of compounds is a debate whether the beta-amyloid fragments seen in patient brains really cause the disease or are just a consequence.
