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Pfizer Halts Tanezumab Studies For Back Pain, Diabetes

JULY 19, 2010, 5:20 P.M. ET

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Pfizer Inc. (PFE) has suspended studies of its drug tanezumab for treating chronic low back pain and nerve damage caused by diabetes at the request of the Food and Drug Administration.

But it will continue to test the drug in some areas, such as for cancer pain.

The world's largest drug maker said the FDA request came after reports of side effects in osteoarthritis patients taking tanezumab and because the agency was worried about the potential for similar effects in other patients taking the drug.

Pfizer last month had announced the suspension of tanezumab studies in patients with osteoarthritis, or low back pain. At that time, Credit Suisse said experts had suggested the drug's relief was so effective it led to patients overusing their joints, causing them to require joint replacements earlier than otherwise expected.

Before the studies were halted, Pfizer had called the drug a potential blockbuster.

The company said Monday that it will continue to work with the FDA to determine the scope of continued clinical trials of tanezumab.

Its shares were at $14.65, down 0.5%, in after-hours trading.


-By Kathy Shwiff, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2357; [e-mail]

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100719-712738.html