Pfizer calls early end to successful Lyrica study

Pfizer has ceased a clinical study of its epilepsy drug Lyrica ahead of schedule after results showed that the treatment had already met its efficacy goals.

The pharmaceutical company has called an early end to a trial that aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the product as a monotherapy against partial seizures, which is among the most common symptoms of the disease.

Interim results from the study subsequently led a monitoring committee to recommend an immediate conclusion, with the treatment having already shown its strong performance.

MacKay Jimeson, a spokesman for Pfizer, told Bloomberg in an email: "Pfizer has accepted the recommendation and has stopped the study."

Lyrica is currently approved as a combination therapy for epilepsy and fibromyalgia, with Bloomberg estimates showing that it generated more than $3 million (1.92 million pounds) in sales in 2010.

Next month, the company will be attending the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting to present new clinical data on tofacitinib, its new therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.