Pharma Blog Watch

Long-Awaited Torcetrapib Data (Pharmalot)
In his blog, Ed Silverman writes about news that Pfizer plans to present some data on torcetrapib at an industry conference next week, as reported in an analyst note. "The beleaguered drugmaker will show results of three ultrasound tests on Monday at the annual American College of Cardiology meeting."

"At issue: whether the problems that caused Pfizer to end its late-stage trial were unique to its drug or if there's a class effect," he writes. "This would have significant implications for Merck and Roche, which are developing their own CETP inhibitors, as well as Pfizer, which has back-up compounds."

According to the analyst note he cites, indefinite ultrasound results may force these companies to reconsider their CETP inhibitor development plans.