Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Meets Goals

As Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) faces the loss of drugs that are patent-protected, it was good news for the company to learn its experimental rheumatoid arthritis drug met the main goals of a late-stage clinical trial.

Reuters said, "The drug, tofacitinib, is one of the most important in Pfizer's pipeline. The company said the safety profile of the drug was consistent with that seen previously in the clinical program, and no new safety signals were seen.

"The trial showed the drug reduced the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by a statistically significant amount compared with a placebo at six months. The drug significantly improved physical function at three months. It also showed significantly greater disease remission at six months.

"The trial is the second of six late-stage trials. Results of the first were released last November. Damien Conover, an analyst at Morningstar, expects the drug, if approved, to generate peak annual sales of about $2 billion."

Pfizer closed Friday at $19.66, down $0.11, or 0.56 percent.




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