Infectious Diseases

Pfizer has a proud tradition of discovering and developing medicines that have truly benefited global health care through the treatment of infectious diseases. From Unasyn^®, Zithromax^® and Diflucan^® in the '70s and '80s to Vfend^®, Zyvox^®, and Eraxis^® today, we are proud that our medicines have helped save countless lives worldwide, and continue to do so.

However, the nature of infectious diseases is that they change and develop new strains that are resistant to current therapies. As recent history has shown, there is always the possibility of a new infectious disease emerging with little or no warning. The most significant example of this in recent history is, of course, HIV/AIDS. Pfizer is breaking new ground in our approaches to the treatment of HIV, most recently with Selzentry^®. We are exploring a number of other approaches in research and development to find new treatments for HIV/AIDS.

In 2006, Pfizer acquired PowderMed, giving us the ability to discover and develop not just medicines, but vaccines to treat infectious diseases, and influenza in particular. PowderMed brings with it a novel DNA vaccine technology platform, as well as two potential influenza vaccines designed for the company's innovative, needle-less intradermal delivery method.

Infectious disease research will also benefit from Pfizer's 2007 acquisition of Coley Pharmaceuticals, a pioneer in the field of TLR-based vaccine adjuvants and immunomodulators, a new class of drug candidates. Coley's innovative portfolio and technology have the potential to significantly enhance future vaccine and immunotherapeutic approaches to a broad range of diseases.

Infectious Diseases Conditions

Indications for medicines currently in phases of development, from Phase 1 through recent approval:

• Bacterial Infections – Infections in patients in either the community or hospital setting, most notably involving multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and MDR gram-negative organisms.
• Fungal Infections – A spectrum of infections caused by different kinds of fungi.
• Hepatitis C Virus – A virus that causes inflammation of the liver, usually transmitted through blood or sexual contact.
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) – The virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) which destroys the body's immune system and ability to fight infection and disease.
• Malaria – Transmitted by Anopheles mosquito bites, malaria is a parasitic infection causing chills and fever and can lead to death, especially in children.
• Skin and Skin Structure Infections – Caused by bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains.

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