Pfizer Expands its Oncology Team by Acquiring Array BioPharma

Already a leader in the treatment of prostate and breast cancer,Pfizer,the world's largest pharmaceutical company,has further enlarged its oncology portfolio by completing its acquisition of Array BioPharma,Inc.,the company announced on 30 July 2019.This will advance breakthrough science for the discovery,development and commercialisation of targeted small molecule medicines to treat cancer and other diseases of high unmet need,Pfizer said.*
Array's portfolio included the approved combined use of BRAFTOVI (R) and MEKTOVI (R) for the treatment of two forms of unresectable or metastatic melanoma skin cancer,with significant potential for long-term growth with expansion into additional areas of unmet need.The combination is also being investigated as a potential first-in-class combination for the treatment of BRAF-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC),based on interim results the company feels are compelling from the pivotal Phase 3 BEACON trial,according to Pfizer.They believe this application has industry-leading potential.*
Pfizer says it will maintain Array's operations in Cambridge,Massachusetts;Morrisville,North Carolina;and Boulder,Colorado.Array is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the New York-based pharma titan.The all-cash deal had a value of around 11.4 billion dollars.*
Pfizer Inc (PFE)

Pfizer will access Array's approved cancer drugs in $11 billion deal

Pharma Titan Pfizer Shuts Down Neuroscience Division

Pfizer,the world's largest pharmaceutical company,has decided to close its neuroscience-discovery and early development programmes,the company announced Saturday.That means it is halting research in nine projects,including some for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases,resulting in the loss of around 300 jobs in Massachusetts and Connecticut.*
To be candid,an internal review concluded the results just weren't materialising as had been hoped.The company said:
This was an exercise to re-allocate spend across those areas where our pipeline,and our expertise,is strongest.*
The move is a blow to those suffering from these devastating illnesses and their caregivers.At the same time,however,Pfizer,which is headquartered in New York,says it will soon invest in a new venture capital fund to stimulate research in such neurological conditions,and will continue to seek treatments for rare illnesses.*
Pfizer,Inc (PFE)

Pfizer Seeks Quick Profits From Cancer Drugs

The world's largest drugmaker,Pfizer,has purchased Medivation for 14 billion dollars,or about 81.50 a share.It's expected to be immediately accretive,adding about .05 a share in the first full year after close with additional accretion and growth anticipated thereafter,Pfizer said.It may vault the New York-based firm into a leading position in oncology.*
The addition of Medivation will strengthen Pfizer's Innovative Health business and accelerate its pathway to a leadership position in oncology,one of our key focus areas,which
we believe will drive greater growth and scale of that business over the long-term,said Pfizer CEO Ian Read.*
The big prize for Pfizer was Medivation's drug XTANDI,an androgen receptor-which blocks multiple steps in the androgen reception signaling pathway within the tumour cell of advanced metastatic prostrate cancer,XTANDI has generated about 2.2 billion in worldwide net sales the past four quarters.Other Medivation prospects in the pipeline include two development stage oncology assets,tulazuparib for breast cancer and pidilmizumab for large B cell lymphoma and other blood cancers.*
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US and in the top 10 of killers worldwide,Pfizer pointed out.*
Meivation (MEDI);Pfizer (PFE)

Market Prospects December 2014

Jefferies and Company says that generic drugmaker Mylan Labs is the most likely Pfizer takeover target.Pfizer,the world's largest drug company,is also rated a buy by Jefferies.*
Gold has really been pressured by the rising dollar and falling inflation expectations,said Ari Wald,CFA,CMT,executive director and market technician with Oppenheimer&Co.'s Portfolio Strategy Team.The setup is actually there to turn lower again.I'd be selling here for the next few months,Mr.Wald advised.*
The Alpine Global Infrastructure Fund has a five star rating by Morningstar Associates.In the developed markets,the infrastructure is aging;while in the emerging markets,infrastructure is being built for the first time.Canadian Pacific is one of the fund's holdings because the transport of crude oil by rail is growing.Rail allows a flexibility to go to different refineries;while pipelines are point to point.When real inflation rises,that would be the risk to owning shares of Canadian Pacific,said Joshua Duitz,CPA,co-portfolio manager at Alpine Woods Investments LLC.
Social infrastructure firms such as prison outsourcers like Geo Group are also owned by the fund.Geo has 77,000 beds and 6,000 vacancies.*
Mylan Labs(MYL),Pfizer(PFE),Canadian Pacific(CP),The Geo Group Inc(GEO),Alpine Global Infrastructure Fund(AIFRX)

Pfizer,Cellectis Ink Cancer Immunotherapy Pact

Pfizer,the world's largest pharmaceutical company,has signed a deal with French biotech firm Cellectis to develop and commercialise CAR-T immunotherapies in the field of oncology directed at several targets.Cellectis' CAR-T technology utilises engineered T-cells from a single donor for use in multiple patients,rather than engineering a patient's own T-cells to target tumour cells.*
Cellectis' CAR-Ts are off-the-shelf products which can be industrialised and standardised.They may be shipped in advance and would be accessible to cancer centers all over the world without the need for a local CAR-T processing facility,which is an enormous advantage.*
Cellectis plans to open a US site for this collaboration with New York-based Pfizer.Cellectis CEO Andre Chulika,PhD,said we look forward to working closely with the team at Pfizer on researching and developing novel CAR-T therapies that could potentially change the way cancer is treated.
Mikael Dolsten,MD,PhD,Pfizer President of R&D,added that combining the innovation and scientific expertise of Cellectis with Pfizer's deep oncology and immunology experience creates a world-class partnership designed to deliver a new generation of CAR-T immunotherapies for cancer patients with urgent medical needs.*
Cellectis will receive an upfront payment of 80 million dollars plus R&D costs.It will also receive development,regulatory and commercial milestone payments of 185 million per Pfizer product,as well as tiered roylaties on net sales.Pfizer will also purchase about 10% of Cellectis capital through newly issued shares of Cellectis,pending shareholder approval.*
Pfizer(PFE),Cellectis(ALCLS:EN Paris)

Pfizer Breast Cancer Drug Gets Breakthrough Designation

A Pfizer investigational compound,palbociclib,an oral drug,has received Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA for the potential treatment of patients with a form of breast cancer.The designation expedites the development and review of the compound,as it is intended to treat a serious or life-threatening disease and preliminary evidence indicates the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies.
Pfizer has initiated a Phase 3 study evaluating palbociclib in combination with letrozole versus letrozole alone as a first line treatment for post-menopausal patients with ER+,HER2- locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.The study is currently open and enrolling.
Preliminary Phase 2 data show that women treated with the combination of palbociclib with letrozole achieved statistically significant improvement in median survival compared to those treated with letrozole alone(26.1 months versus 7.5 months.)
Palbociclib is an inhibitor of cyclin dependent kinases,or enzymes that serve as on and off switches in tumour cells.The drug was shown to inhibit cell growth and supress DNA replication.Pfizer,the world's largest pharmaceutical company,is also investigating the drug's potential for treating other cancers.
Pfizer(PFE)

Pfizer's New Rheumatoid Arthritis Pill Approved

Pfizer's new rheumatoid arthritis(RA) drug XELJANZ(R) has gotten FDA approval for adults with moderate to severe RA who had a poor response to methotrexate.It is the first RA treatment approved in a new class of medicines called JAK inhibitors,and the first new oral disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug(DMARD) approved in more than 10 years.
The new pill was approved for a 5mg twice daily dosage.It may be used alone or in combination with methotrexate or other non-biologic DMARDs.
Xeljanz is a second-line medication,meaning that pre-treatment with a biologic is not required.It is an important new option that could potentially change the way rheumatologists treat this serious autoimmune disease,according to Pfizer CEO Ian Read.The discovery and development of Xeljanz by Pfizer scientists reflects our commitment to R and D innovation and our dedication to bringing important and meaningful medications to patients.
Xeljanz is specifically designed to inhibit JAK pathways,which are signaling pathways within the cell that play an important role in RA inflammation.Many patients do not adequately respond to,or are intolerant of,currently available RA treatments,said Stanley Cohen,MD,study investigator.Xeljanz significantly reduced the signs and symptoms of RA and improved physical function.
Possible side affects include increased risk of certain infections and cancers,as the drug changes the way the immune system works.
Pfizer(PFE)

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)

Pfizer To Take Prescription Nexium Over the Counter-and possibly other drugs as well

British pharmaceutical titan AstraZeneca has sold Pfizer,the world's largest pharma company,the over the counter rights to its prescription heartburn treatment Nexium.Pfizer will pay Astra 250 million dollars up front.After that,Astra is eligible for milestone and royalty payments for product launches and sales of Nexium and any other Astra product Pfizer may take over the counter.
Pfizer projects a 2014 date for commercialising Nexium in the US,pending FDA approval,with other markets to follow.Nexium is currently prescribed for gastroesophageal reflex disease,or GERD,a severe form of heartburn that can damage the esophagus.
Tory Zook,Executive Vice President at Astra,said this agreement will help AstraZeneca realise the substantial,long term value of this brand and potentially other brands in our portfolio.Pfizer CEO Ian Read added that Pfizer Consumer Healthcare will have the opportunity to help more consumers better manage their health,while extending the value of certain important pharmaceutical brands.
AstraZeneca and Pfizer have also signed an agreement giving Pfizer right of first refusal for OTC rights to Rhinocort Aqua,a pump spray which is now prescribed for hayfever and house dust mite allergy,or non-infectious rhinitis.
AstraZeneca(AZN),Pfizer(PFE)

Outdoor Secondhand Smoke Also Harmful

At a recent check-up,I was asked by a nurse if I was exposed to passive smoke.I had to admit I was,as the neighbor's cigarette smoke often wafts over to me through their windows when I'm outdoors or they're smoking outdoors.It makes me wheeze a bit.
Indeed,a 2007 study at Stanford University showed that harmful substances were also being transmitted by secondhand smoke outdoors,as well as indoors.Obviously,if it irritates your lungs outdoors,it's doing some degree of harm.
Frankly,it appears that smoking isn't safe anywhere-indoors or out.That is the tragedy of recent reports that teens are still smoking avidly,in spite of the educational efforts of several decades.
A new TV campaign with graphic images of cancer patients is getting underway.Some teens responded with scepticism as to how effective they would be.People will still think it will never happen to them,one girl remarked.
Pfizer's Chantix habit-breaking medication is also being widely advertised.It may be worth looking into for those with prescription coverage or who can otherwise afford it.It is said to allow you to keep smoking in the early phase of treatment.
Pfizer(PFE)

Focus on Pharma:Xanax Very Commonly Prescribed

Xanax was reportedly found in the newly-departed vocalist Whitney Houston's possession.Alprazolam,the generic name for Pfizer's Xanax,has become one of the top ten most-prescribed psychiatric medications.
Although the regular form of Xanax is now off-patent and inexpensive as a generic prescription,Pfizer still has a patent for Xanax XR,the extended release form,which is less addictive.Xanax XR is four to five times more expensive than the regular form.Carefully managed,treatment with Xanax is widely successful and only 1% of patients abuse the drug.
Xanax is a fast-acting pill that takes effect within an hour or two.It is indicated for Panic disorder and Generalized anxiety disorder,or GAD,as well as Social anxiety disorder,and is also prescribed to relieve nausea during chemotherapy.It is related to Valium and is an anxiolytic of the benzodiazepine class of psychotropic drugs.
As well as calming anxiety,Xanax also has sedative properties.It is the latter effect that makes it so dangerous in combination with alcohol,in itself a sedative.Together,the two substances can easily interfere with the breathing mechanism,resulting in death.
According to Pfizer,Xanax causes a central nervous system depressant activity varying from mild impairment all the way to hypnosis.Alcohol should generally not be used during treatment.
Xanax has been clinically shown to be effective for up to four weeks.After taking the drug for a few weeks,the body develops tolerance for its sedative effect.It is there that the relatively small number of patients with addictive tendencies may get into trouble with it as they need to take more and more pills to get that effect.
Withdrawal symptoms may occur if treatment with Xanax is halted abruptly.
Pfizer(PFE)

Focus on Pharma:Drugmaker Looks To Pipeline,Divestitures

In its recent earnings report,Pfizer,the world's largest pharmaceutical company,posted 6% profit growth on cost-cutting and share buybacks.Sales declined 5% on patent expirations of cholesterol drug Lipitor and others taking effect.
Despite the loss of patent protection,Pfizer isn't giving up promoting its cardiovascular blockbuster.Lipitor is still being marketed with a 4 dollar copay card and television advertising.Sales of the drug dropped 40% in Q4 when its patent expired.The company says it hasn't yet decided whether the ad campaign will continue long term.Liptior was advertised on television more than any other prescription drug last year.
Pfizer has promising new drugs in its pipeline,such as lung cancer treatment Xalkori,rheumatoid arthritis drug tofacitinib,and atrial fibrillation medicine Eliquis.
Eliquis was granted priority review by the Food and Drug Administration.Morninstar Associates projects an 80% chance of approval for the medicine,with a potential for 3 billion dollars in sales.Profits from it would be shared with Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Pfizer continues its aggressive cost-cutting,and is well on the way to its goal of 4 billion dollars annually.The company is expected to finalize the divestiture of its animal health and nutritional segments later in 2012.Morningstar values these businesses at 11 and 7 billion dollars,respectively,says Damien Conover,CFA,Associate Director at Morningstar.
Pfizer(PFE),Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMY)

MedImmune Licenses Pfizer Cancer Care Candidate

MedImmune has licensed a Pfizer CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody,tremelimumab,for exploration in a number of potential cancer treatments.Under the agreement,Pfizer will retain the rights to use tremelimumab with specified types of combination therapies while MedImmune assumes global development rights of the antibody.
The acquisition for MedImmune's oncology pipeline exemplifies MedImmune's continued commitment to embracing this new era of cancer care,according to Dr.Bahija
Jallal,PhD,Executive Vice President of Research and Development.
CTLA-4 is a protein that has an important role in regulating the immune system.There is growing interest in potential therapeutic benefits of blocking this protein with antibodies such as Pfizer's tremelimumab,as a means of inhibiting immune system tolerance of carcinogenic tumors,thus providing a potential new immunotherapy for cancer patients.
MedImmune is a division of London-based pharma titan AstraZeneca.The Gaithersburg,Maryland biotech firm has a staff of around 3500 workers worldwide.MedImmune is the inventor of the iconic FluMist vaccine,as well as pediatric respiratory therapy Synagis.
AstraZeneca(AZN),Pfizer(PFE)

Pfizer Cancer Therapies Move Forward in Europe

The European Medicines Agency has accepted Pfizer's regulatory submissions for review of two investigational compounds.One of them,crizotinib,targets a form of advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC);the other,bosutinib,is aimed at newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia.Both compounds are believed to inhibit signaling in cancer cells that allows them to grow,survive and reproduce.
Pfizer Oncology says its pipeline is focused on identifying and translating the best scientific breakthroughs into clinical applications across a wide range of cancers.It has biologics and small molecules in clinical development and more than 100 clinical trials underway.
With its wide array of research partners,ranging from individual researchers to academic institutions,Pfizer Oncology strives to deliver the right drug for each patient at the right time to cure or control cancer.
Pfizer is listed on the London and New York stock exchanges under the ticker symbols PFZ and PFE,respectively.CEO Ian Read heads the New York-based company.

Investing Today:Strategies For a Choppy Period

According to Stephen Wood,PhD,chief market strategist at Russell Investments,what we're looking at is a square root sign,a market plateauing at a lower rate of growth.It's probably a significant slow patch in the overall recovery.This is not terribly surprising.
There are gonna be choppy markets.Consider Japan,the Middle East,the Greek debt issue-a lot of headlines could cause volatility.
You're probably in a lower return environment.A portfolio should be globally diversified and have more equities,commodities and infrastructure.
Dr.Wood likes JP Morgan Chase.It has a 2.40 yield and is an industry leader,coming through the financial crisis extremely well.It has a strong balance sheet and is a good,old-fashioned consumer bank.
He also favors Pfizer.The economy's gonna do O.K.,but not spectacularly.Pfizer levels the volatility.People stay in it longer.People are gonna have to ride out the volatility with a more disciplined long term time horizon.
As for Google,longer term,it's probably gonna be a name that's the 500-pound gorilla in its space,Stephen Wood believes.
Stephen Wood has been with Russell Investments since 2005.He has conducted research on the economy,capital markets,portfolio strategies and investor behavior,also serving as a commentator on those topics.In addition,Dr.Wood has worked with institutional clients and retail partners to explain Russell's investment process and portfolio management.
JP Morgan Chase(JPM),Pfizer(PFE),Google(GOOG)

Bristol-Myers/Pfizer Drug Apixiban Superior to Aspirin For AF Patients

A Phase 3 trial of the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer oral medication apixiban showed that,for atrial fibrillation patients unsuitable for a vitamin K antagonist such as warfarin,apixiban is superior to aspirin at reducing the risk of stroke or systemic embolism without a significant increase in major bleeding(annual event rate of 1.6% for apixiban versus 3.7% for aspirin).
The study also showed that apixiban was superior to aspirin at reducing the composite of stroke,systemic embolism,heart attack or vascular death for AF patients versus aspirin(annual event rate of 4.2% for apixiban versus 6.7% for aspirin).
Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia.It afflicts about 5.1 million Americans and more than 6 million Europeans.About 40-50% of AF patients are considered unsuitable for vitamin K antagonists because of the risk of bleeding and incompatibility with other medications.
Lead investigator Dr.Stuart Conolly,MD,professor of medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton,Ontario,said the risk of stroke or systemic embolism is of great concern for patients with atrial fibrillation,especially because AF-related strokes are particularly devastating.Given the significant number of patients who are not eligible for vitamin K antagonists,it is especially important to have potential new treatment options that are both safe and effective.
Pfizer and Bristol-Myers have been in a worldwide collaboration to develop and commercialize apixiban since 2007.
Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMY),Pfizer(PFE)

Icagen and Pfizer Initiate Trials

Icagen and Pfizer have initiated Phase I trials for a candidate compound,Nav 1.7.A sodium channel-blocker,Nav 1.7 is believed to have promise for the treatment of pain and related disorders.The early trials will ascertain the safety,tolerability,pharmokinetics and optimal formulation of Nav 1.7.
Pfizer is funding all aspects of the collaboration.The pharma titan has exclusive worldwide rights to commercialize any products resulting from the partnership.For its part,Icagen may receive milestones and tiered royalties based upon product sales.
Icagen,located in Research Triangle Park,North Carolina,has identified multiple drug candidates that modulate ion channels.Ions are charged particles such as sodium,potassium and calcium.Ion channels are protein structures that span cell membranes and regulate the flow of ions into and out of cells.
Icagen is focused on oral medications for epilepsy,pain and inflammation that work by modulating these ion channels.
Icagen(ICGN),Pfizer(PFE)

Asthma Med Primatene Mist Being Reformulated

Because its propellant is a chloroflourocarbon,Primatene Mist is being reformulated by Armstrong Pharmaceuticals.As of December 31,2011,the Food and Drug Administration is banning the production and sale of epinephrine metered dose inhalers containing CFCs to protect the atmosphere's ozone layer.
Primatene Mist,introduced in 1964,is the only inhalable over the counter medication for the temporary relief of occasional symptoms of bronchial asthma.Although Primatene Mist will have a new,non-CFC propellant,its active ingredient will remain epinephrine.
Primatene Mist relieves wheezing,tightness of chest and shortness of breath in as little as 15 seconds.It is the number one OTC brand for physician-diagnosed bronchial asthma.
The Primatene brand is also applied to OTC tablets,sold since 1954,which ease breathing for asthma patients by reducing spasms of bronchial muscles,loosening phlegm and thinning bronchial secretions.Highly regarded by patients,Primatene tablets are a product of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and have different active ingredients than Primatene Mist.
Pfizer(PFE)

USC Fotonovela Highlights Dementia

Latino families are among those who tend to deal with dementia on their own,rather than seek professional assistance.A number of USC staff members have collaborated on a fotonovela,a sort of photographic comic book popular in the Latino community,that helps families understand dementia and presents the possibility of getting help for aged relatives stricken with the brain disorder.
Based on multidisciplinary research,Forgotten Memories tells the story of an elderly mariachi musician,Memo,who is showing signs of memory loss.His pharmacist urges Memo to undergo memory screening at a clinic.A physician at the clinic recommends medication for Memo and a support group for Memo's wife to help her with managing his illness.A lot of time went into ensuring the cultural sensitivity of the fotonovela.
Leading the project is Mel Baron,an associate professor at the USC School of Pharmacy.Academics from USC College and the Keck School of Medicine,as well as the pharmacy school,provided research for the fotonovela.It will be distributed at clinics,pharmacies and community events such as mariachi festivals.
Forgotten Memories was underwritten by Pfizer,Forest Laboratories,Good Neighbor Pharmacies,the National Association of Chain Drugstores and several USC organizations.
More than 30 million people are suffering from the diseases that cause dementia worldwide-a number that grows rapidly by the day.