NEW YORK, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pfizer Inc today provided
an update on the preliminary results of its torcetrapib/atorvastatin
clinical trials in connection with the release of an American Heart
Association abstract of a Phase 3 study in patients with heterozygous
familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) that shows the drug significantly
raising 'good' (HDL) cholesterol (56 percent) and additionally lowering
'bad' (LDL) cholesterol (27 percent) versus patients taking atorvastatin
alone.
The HeFH study also showed patients in the torcetrapib/atorvastatin
group experienced an average increase in systolic blood pressure of about
two millimeters versus patients taking atorvastatin alone. The HeFH study,
in patients with an increased risk of heart disease, will be presented at
the American Heart Association Annual Scientific Sessions on November 15.
"We are pleased with the results of the HeFH study, and our overall
lipid results from all the trials completed are very positive," said Dr.
Joseph Feczko, Pfizer's chief medical officer. "They generally show
torcetrapib/atorvastatin significantly increasing 'good' cholesterol by 55
to 60 percent and additionally lowering 'bad' cholesterol by 10 to 15
percent over atorvastatin alone (leading to a combined reduction in LDL of
50 to 60 percent), which supports our fundamental premise: this innovative
medicine really can 'do both' and manage total cholesterol successfully.
"Our overall Phase 3 results to date, which are incomplete and must be
rigorously analyzed when all the lipid and imaging trials are finished,
also show an average increase in systolic blood pressure of approximately
one millimeter of mercury above the two-to-three millimeter range that was
observed in Phase 2 studies, which we believe will not alter the favorable
clinical profile of torcetrapib/atorvastatin in the treatment of
cardiovascular disease.
"We would like to underscore that our studies are far from complete,
and the early results cover less than 25 percent of all the patients in the
entire clinical program. With a new abstract being posted today we want to
ensure that these results are put in the appropriate perspective. No final
conclusions on the efficacy and safety of torcetrapib/atorvastatin can be
drawn until we complete the lipid and imaging studies and do the
accompanying statistical analysis. The torcetrapib/atorvastatin trials
completed to date vary in duration and size, and preliminary data at this
stage may not represent the final results when Phase 3 is completed."
The next release of clinical trial results will occur in March at the
American College of Cardiology meetings, when the results of three vascular
imaging studies will be released.
The abstract for the torcetrapib/atorvastatin study in patients with
heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is being posted today on the
website of the American Heart Association at
http://scientificsessions.americanheart.org/portal/scientificsessions/ss.
DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release is as of
October 31, 2006. The Company 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 a product
candidate, including its 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 the product candidate as well as their
decisions regarding labeling and other matters that could affect its
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,
2005 and in its reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.
SOURCE Pfizer Inc
back to top
Related links: http://www.pfizer.com/
Photo Notes:A free corporate logo to accompany this story is availableimmediately via Wieck Photo Database to any media with telephoto receiveror electronic darkroom, PC or Macintosh, that can accept overheadtransmissions. To retrieve a logo, please call 972-392-0888./ /Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/688250.html
Pfizer's press releases are available through PR Newswire's Company News On-Call service on PRN's Web Site. Visit http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/688250.html/
CONTACT: Andy McCormick, +1-212-733-5469
|