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Pfizer & Lilly's Pain Candidate Succeeds in Phase III Study

Pfizer Inc. PFE and Eli Lilly and Company LLY announced that their NGF inhibitor, tanezumab, met all co-primary endpoints in a phase III study evaluating it in patients with osteoarthritis (“OA”) pain.

Top-line data from the study evaluating the non-opioid candidate showed that treatment with tanezumab led to a statistically significant improvement in pain, physical function and the patients’ overall assessment of their OA – the three primary endpoints – compared to placebo at 16 weeks. The patients were administered two injections of tanezumab once every eight weeks. The safety data were consistent with earlier studies.

A few investors were skeptical about safety concerns related to the candidate. However, consistent results should alleviate some safety concerns.

In October 2013, the two companies signed an agreement for the joint development and commercialization of tanezumab across the world.

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Tanezumab works by inhibiting nerve growth factor, which suppresses pain signal in the body. A potential approval to the candidate will provide a safer pain medication for patients in the United States where opioid abuse is widespread. Moreover, the currently approved drugs are underserving patients who continue to suffer from pain.

The candidate enjoys Fast Track designation in the United States for this indication, which is expected to expedite the review process. Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, which impacts millions of people worldwide.

The companies are also evaluating the candidate in late-stage studies for chronic low back pain and cancer pain.

We remind investors that Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. REGN and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited TEVA are also developing a NGF antibody, fasinumab for treating OA.

So far this year, shares of Pfizer and Lilly have risen 4% and 6.6%, respectively, against the industry’s decline of 0.7%.

Zacks Rank

Pfizer and Lilly currently carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Pfizer Inc. Price

 

Pfizer Inc. Price | Pfizer Inc. Quote

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Pfizer Inc. (PFE) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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