Pfizer Reviews Progress of Oncology Pipeline

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Pfizer Reviews Progress of Oncology Pipeline and New Commercial Business Unit Structure with Analysts

Pfizer Inc announced today as part of its commitment to oncology that it expects to start a total of seven Phase 3 studies in 2008; two are open and enrolling, and five are planned to begin by the end of 2008. These trials involve three different compounds: Sutent, axitinib and CP-751,871, and will focus on 4 types of cancers – hepatocelluar (HCC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and prostate cancer. Pfizer made these announcements during a company meeting with financial analysts during the Annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago. Oncology R&D Growth Pfizer’s oncology R&D pipeline is robust and growing, with active programs across critical mechanisms of action related to tumor growth and spread, including angiogenesis inhibition, signal transduction inhibition, immunomodulation and cytotoxic potentiation. Since 2003, Pfizer has increased its number of oncology R&D projects by 400 percent and now dedicates 22% of its overall budget to oncology. The company has 22 oncology compounds in a total of 232 ongoing or planned, sponsored, oncology clinical studies. "We are seeing our sustained efforts in oncology mature as our development programs continue to advance into late-stage clinical trials,” said Dr. Charles Baum, vice president of Pfizer Global Research and Development. Pfizer Presence at ASCO Pfizer’s presence at ASCO has expanded 10-fold since 2006, with 299 presentations on new agents this year, compared with only 26 in 2006. This year, the company has started two Phase 3 studies, and expects to start the following five Phase 3 trials in the coming months: Sunitinib – First-line hepatocellular cancer. Sunitinib – Second-line metastatic hormone refractory prostate cancer. Axitinib – Second-line metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Axitinib – First-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) CP-751,871(ADVIGO 1017)- NSCLC in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin. Data presented at this year’s ASCO meeting further validates Pfizer’s approach for the ADVIGO (ADVancing IGF-1R in Oncology) global Phase 3 clinical trial program involving its compound in development CP-751,871, and the first program to initially target NSCLC patients with non-adenocarcinoma. CP-751,871 is a highly specific inhibitor of the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) pathway. It is believed that through this inhibition, CP-751,871 blocks two key signaling pathways in cancer cells that lead to uncontrolled growth and survival of tumor cells. The following Phase 3 trials are currently open: ADVIGO 1016 – Overall survival study examining CP-751,871 in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with NSCLC. ADVIGO 1018 – Currently enrolling and will look at whether CP-751,871 in combination with erolitinib prolongs survival in patients with advanced Stage IIIB or metastatic NSCLC. Oncology Business Unit In March 2008, Pfizer established the Oncology Business Unit, focused solely on oncology within its Worldwide Pharmaceutical Group. The unit will bring together global oncology functions including clinical development, sales, medical and marketing. It will enable Pfizer to expedite launches of novel oncology agents, as well as to focus research efforts on cancers common in Asia, including those of the liver, esophagus and nasopharynx. The Unit, based at Pfizer’s New York headquarters, will have the resources to seize growth opportunities to strengthen Pfizer’s research investment in oncology, a market expected to more than double in the next decade. "Pfizer is making good on its promise to leverage the best science outside of our walls to develop medicines to help patients in areas of high unmet medical needs. Our significant research investment in oncology and recent business development transactions, including four in the last six months alone, illustrate that point,” said Garry Nicholson, senior vice president, general manager of Pfizer’s Oncology Business Unit. The following list represents recent deals that have strengthened Pfizer’s oncology franchise: Acquired or In-licensed Compounds Significance Avant Immunotherapeutics Novel vaccine in Phase 2b/3 for glioblastoma multiforme. -- CDX-110 (EGFR vIII vaccine) Serenex Compound with novel mechanism of action in Phase 1 trial. -- SNX-5422 (Hsp90 inhibitor) CovX Two compounds with novel anti-angiogenesis mechanisms in Phase 1 trials. -- CVX -045, CVX-060 Coley Pharmaceutical Group Platform expands Pfizer's vaccine development capability; compounds strengthen our immuno-oncology pipeline portfolio. -- Vaccine platform; TLR-7, TLR-9 compounds Pfizer ASCO Analyst Meeting Webcast Pfizer’s oncology leadership team will provide an overview of data presented at ASCO and the Company’s initiatives in oncology at 6 PM Central Time at the Westin River North, Grand Ballroom B, River Level II in Chicago. Institutional investors, analysts, and media are invited to attend the analyst meeting or listen via webcast. To view and listen to the webcast, visit www.pfizer.com, and click on the "Pfizer Analyst and Investor Meeting at ASCO” link in the Investor Presentations tab. Visitors will be able to view and listen to an archived copy of the webcast at www.pfizer.com. Media Dial-in Number: Toll Free: 1-866-550-338 Toll: 1-347-284-6934 Password: ASCO About Pfizer Oncology Pfizer Oncology is committed to the discovery, investigation and development of treatments and currently has 22 innovative compounds in clinical development across four platforms. By leveraging the strength of our resources and scientific talent, Pfizer Oncology strives to discover and develop novel treatment options to improve the outlook for oncology patients. Pfizer currently devotes more than 22 percent of its total R&D budget to the field of oncology, investing annually in worldwide research initiatives. We also partner with healthcare providers, governments and local communities around the world to provide better quality healthcare and health system support. For more information on the above information, please visit http://www.pfizer.com. DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release is as of June 2, 2008. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments. This release contains forward-looking information about various oncology product candidates, including their potential benefits, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development; decisions by regulatory authorities regarding whether and when to approve any drug applications that may be filed for such product candidates as well as their decisions regarding labeling and other matters that could affect their availability or commercial potential; and competitive developments. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and in its reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.

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erschienen am 02.06.2008 um 23:00 Uhr