Reinforcing its commitment to preserving sight and preventing
blindness in patients with ocular diseases, Pfizer Inc.
recently announced the launch of Pfizer Ophthalmics, the
new business group that combines the products from Pharmacia
and Pfizer. On April 16, 2003, Pfizer Inc acquired Pharmacia
Corporation, strengthening its position as the world’s
leading research-based pharmaceutical company.
“Pfizer
is making a significant commitment to discover, develop
and provide breakthrough treatments in ophthalmology
to support the patients who benefit from these medicines,
and to serve the health care professionals who prescribe
them,” said Pat Kelly, President, Pfizer U.S.
Pharmaceuticals.
Robert Fechtner, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology and
Director, Glaucoma Services, at New Jersey Medical School,
called the launch of Pfizer Ophthalmics an exciting
opportunity for advancement in ophthalmology research
and treatment.
“To
have the biggest pharmaceutical company dedicating resources
to combat diseases of the eye can only mean good things
for our patients and for our medical specialty,”
he said. “Pfizer has already had an impact in
eye disease treatment through funding the five-year
International Trachoma Initiative in developing countries,
which speaks well for the commitment of Pfizer in ophthalmology.”
Pfizer
expects to donate about 135 million treatments of azithromycyn,
a well-known antibiotic that is highly effective against
trachoma, the world’s leading cause of preventable
blindness -- to the International Trachoma Initiative
(ITI). This donation is made in addition to the eight
million treatments administered over the last five years
– a 15-fold expansion. Trachoma is endemic in
48 countries, with an estimated 146 million infected.
“Pfizer
looks forward to working with eye care health professionals
to advance the discovery and development of new treatments
and to enhance patient care by expanding disease awareness
and providing effective medications,” said Michael
Widlitz, Vice President, U.S. Medical – Respiratory,
Allergy, Oncology and Ophthalmology Groups.
The Pfizer Ophthalmics product line includes latanoprost
ophthalmic solution, the most prescribed treatment for
the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with
open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Approximately
67 million people worldwide have glaucoma.
Pfizer Ophthalmics is also studying the use of pegaptanib
sodium, a Phase III clinical trial drug is being developed
in partnership with Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, a New York-based
biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery,
development and commercialization of novel ophthalmology
therapeutics and devices.
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