Pfizer Leukemia Pill Approved

Pfizer,the world's largest pharmaceutical company,has announced FDA approval of its new oral medication BOSULIF(R) for adults previously treated for chronic myelogenous leukemia,or CML,with the Philadelphia chromosome abnormality.There will be an estimated 5400 cases of CML diagnosed in 2012,resulting in 610 deaths.
Bosulif is described as an important new addition to the CML treatment landscape by a Pfizer lead investigator,Jorge Cortes,MD,professor of medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Care Center in Houston and Chief,CML Section,Department of Leukemia.Bosulif is one of a series of CML drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors that inhibit production of the tyrosine kinase enzyme by the bone marrow.They are based on a better understanding of the molecular basis of CML.
In clinical trials,about 55% of patients previously treated with other CML drugs returned to normal blood counts within the first 48 weeks of treatment with Bosulif,with a major response to treatment of at least 18 months.Novartis' GLEEVEC(R) is one of the main first line treatments for CML.
Up to 26,000 Americans are living with CML today.An unmet need remains for many CML patients,Dr.Cortes pointed out.Bosulif offers a distinct adverse event profile and a convenient once-daily dosing regimen,said Marc Rothenberg,MD,Pfizer vice president of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs.
Although it cannot be described as being a cure,Bosulif is indeed another step forward in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Pfizer(PFE),Novartis AG(NVS)

Novartis Honored By Fortune Magazine

Swiss health care firm Novartis was honored by Fortune magazine as its Most Admired pharmaceutical company for 2011.It recieved an overall score of 7.02,folowed by Merck at 6.80 and Johnson&Johnson at 6.72.Last year,Novartis came in third.
The rank was decided by a survey of pharmaceutical executives,directors and analysts.They used nine criteria such as investment value and social responsibility.
Novartis is the world's third-largest pharmaceutical firm by sales.
One of its leading products is Gleevec(imatinib),a pill for patients with certain forms of chronic myeloid leukemia(CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST).Gleevec is also approved in the U.S.,EU and Japan for a form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL) and other blood disorders.It has helped many patients stay in remission for several years.
Novartis also owns the OTC brands Theraflu and Comtrex.The company has an assistance program for uninsured or underinsured patients.
Novartis AG(NVS)