Pfizer Stops Cholesterol Drug Trial Over Deaths

Pfizer finally pulled its next blockbuster drug torcetrapib out of clinical trials after many patients died due to unexpected side effects.

One of the company's older slogans "Life is our life's work" surely seems ironic now doesn't it?

Torcetrapib was being investigated as a cholesterol drug that raised HDL, or good cholesterol, in the blood stream. The problem however was that the drug also raised blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Torcetrapib was supposed to be Lipitor's replacement as the company's next cholesterol drug superstar. Many of Pfizer's big name drugs are due to lose the exclusive patents within a few years, and most of its pipeline is clogged with would-be replacements that have many analysts unimpressed.

This is not good for Pfizer, especially since analysts expect the worst for big pharmas in general over the next few years after a resounding Democratic senatorial win could mean a negative political environment is just over the horizon.

Pfizer has under-performed the S&P by more than 50% over the last five years! What will the next five bring?

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