Chronic Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes cause one of every three deaths in the world today. Unless breakthroughs are made, the growing prevalence of diabetes and obesity will greatly add to the human and economic cost of disease over the next 20 years.
Advances in understanding risk factors and in the development of new therapies have demonstrated that cardiovascular disease is largely preventable. Pfizer’s current and future portfolio of medicines in this Therapeutic Area focuses on the control of the risk factors inherent in smoking, diet, physical inactivity, and Type 2 diabetes.
We are also dedicated to discovering and developing medicines to treat Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, Thrombosis, Osteoporosis, and Growth Hormone Deficiency.
Indications for medicines currently in phases of development, from Phase I through recent approval:
Atherosclerosis
A process of plaque buildup in arteries that may partially or totally block the blood’s flow through an artery, which can result in a heart attack or stroke. This process is accelerated in dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
Arterial Thrombosis
The formation of a clot (thrombus) in the artery restricting blood flow, often caused by atherosclerosis. Thrombosis in the left atrium may lead to systemic embolism and stroke.
* Venous thrombosis — the formation of a clot (thrombus) in the venous circulation that may lead to deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Bone Healing
Medicines to aid in the rebuilding of bone mass, density and strength of weakened bones, and to speed the healing of fractured bones.
Diabetes
A disease in which the body’s production of, or sensitivity to, insulin is impaired, leading to poor control of blood sugar levels. Diabetes may eventually lead to other diseases and conditions, including cardiovascular disease and kidney failure. The global prevalence of Diabetes is on the increase and is closely tied to the rising rates of obesity.
Hypertension
Persistent high blood pressure.
Obesity
Usually defined as someone who is more than 20% above what is considered a healthy weight for their height, age, and bone structure. Obesity is on the increase across the world, and it significantly raises the risk that patients may develop other diseases leading to premature death. Our pipeline of new medicines contains a variety of different approaches. The successful treatment of obesity may come from the co-administration of agents across this spectrum of approaches.
Osteoporosis
A decrease in bone mass, density, and strength that can lead to frailty. An estimated 75 million women in the U.S., Europe and Japan suffer from Osteoporosis (bone loss), with one third of women over the age of 50 experiencing an osteoporosis-related fracture, the direct medical cost of which in 2002 was estimated at more than $48 billion (US). Our teams are working on a number of exciting medicines to rebuild bone mass, density, and strength of weakened bones and to increase the speed of healing of fractured bones.
Short Stature/Growth
Medicines to promote growth in patients affected by Growth Hormone Deficiency.