Pfizer research and development ‘to examine cholesterol drug’

Pfizer’s forthcoming research and development meeting will focus on the cholesterol-lowering drug combination of Lipitor and torcetrapib, CNNMoney.com reports, as the company aims to recoup profits as patents on other drugs expire.

Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) is a drug by the company used to lower cholesterol in patients at risk of heart disease, which is being combined with the experimental torcetrapib compound in clinical trials to also raise levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL).

HDL, known as ‘good’ cholesterol, transports cholesterol from body tissue to the liver for elimination and is related to a reduced risk of heart disease.

Barbra Ryan, an analyst for Deutsche Bank North America, told CNNmoney.com: “We all know that the drug raises HDL by a powerful degree. The question is: what is the benefit of that? The benefit remains to be seen.”

Lipitor is the top-selling drug in the world, but its patent is due to expire in 2010, which could leave the path open for cheaper generics which may cut into Pfizer’s profits, Bloomberg reports.

Following earlier data released for the new combination drug last month, CNNMoney.com notes that the company is due to publish further data in March concerning the effect of Lipitor-torcetrapib on plaque levels in arteries and its effect on blood pressure.