Pfizer details drug development pipeline progress

Pfizer has provided an updated report on the progress of the new drugs in its development pipeline.

The pharmaceutical firm currently has 118 programmes in development from phase I through to the registration stage, with 25 having been added or advanced to later stages since the last update in January 2010.

A total of 28 are currently in phase III trials and nine are in registration, with key areas of therapeutic research including oncology, neuroscience and inflammation.

The company stated that it remains confident in the continuing progress of its various drug development projects, as well as affirming its commitment to new biologics and vaccines innovations.

Dr Mikael Dolsten, president of Pfizer's worldwide research and development unit, said: "Building on the rapid integration of Pfizer and Wyeth, the new Pfizer brings a wealth of scientific approaches and technologies to our key investment areas."

Earlier this month, the company published new clinical data from a trial of its licensed inflammatory disease treatment Enbrel, demonstrating its efficacy against plaque psoriasis.