Pfizer and Lilly to resume phase 3 chronic pain programme for tanezumab

Pfizer and Lilly have revealed they are set to resume the phase 3 chronic pain programme for tanezumab.

This follows on from an announcement from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that lifted the partial clinical hold on the drug's development in light of a review into the nervous system's response to the treatment. 

Steve Romano, managing director, senior vice-president and head of global medicines development at Pfizer’s global innovative pharmaceuticals business, stated: "We are pleased with the FDA’s decision as chronic pain remains an area of significant unmet medical need and we believe tanezumab has potential to offer a new, non-narcotic option."

Tanezumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively targets nerve growth factor, which is a regulator of pain processing and sensitivity. 

Pfizer is expected to receive an upfront payment of $200 million (135 million pounds) from Lilly in accordance with the collaboration agreement between the two firms.