Wyeth showcases seven advanced-stage drugs

Wyeth has highlighted the strength of its late-stage product pipeline with a research and development exhibition that showcased seven of the company’s new drugs.

In addition, Wyeth also displayed details of drugs in their early stages of development and 11 “innovative” late-stage clinical trials.

Among the highlights was Prevnar 13, a new 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and successor to the current seven-valent vaccine that was introduced in the UK’s immunisation programme last month.

Wyeth also touted Pristiq, a new antidepressant with a secondary indication for treating vasomotor symptoms associated with the menopause – the first non-hormonal therapy indicated for hot flushes.

Additionally, the Viviant osteoporosis therapy, Aprela for the relief of menopausal symptoms, the Lybrel contraceptive, Torisel for the treatment of cancer, and bifeprunox, a schizophrenia treatment, were also demonstrated by the American pharmaceutical company.

Robert Essner, Wyeth’s chairman and chief executive officer, remarked: “With seven new products on the horizon and 11 major late-stage clinical programs rapidly moving forward, Wyeth is leading the way in bringing new solutions for patients and physicians.”

Robert R Ruffolo Jr, senior vice president of Wyeth and president of research, also spoke of the company’s “ambitious” target to submit two new drug applications with new molecular entities every year, supported by the 68 projects currently in development.

Last month, Wyeth released new data for methylnaltrexone, another new product in late stage development, for the treatment of opioid-induced post-operative ileus.