There are over 7,000 known rare diseases that affect approximately 400 million people worldwide. 80% of these diseases have genetic origins and 50% affect children. Collectively, people living with a rare disease represent one of the largest underserved patient communities in the world, with only 5% of known rare diseases having one or more approved treatments.
At Pfizer, we believe that people living with a rare disease, along with the untold number of family members and caregivers who support them, deserve more. For more than thirty years, we have provided critical treatment options for patients with rare diseases. Our current portfolio spans four therapeutic areas, including 1) rare hematology, 2) rare endocrine/metabolic, 3) rare neurology and 4) rare cardiology. Now, we’re leading the way in an effort to deliver a new generation of breakthrough treatments across several modalities – small molecule, large molecule/monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), gene therapies and even devices – to potentially unlock the promise of science for the millions with rare diseases for whom the current standard of care falls short. Our deep pipeline has more than 10 investigational medicines in clinical development, with more than five new molecular entities and three gene therapy programs in Phase 3. And we have the end-to-end capabilities to not only discover and develop life-changing therapies, but, if successfully developed, deliver them to patients throughout the world.
List of Rare Diseases
We bring deep scientific expertise and years of exploring medical frontiers. Our partners are some of the world’s leading research organizations. Together we are fulfilling our mission.
Discovering a breakthrough in the lab is just the beginning. Next comes the challenging work of developing it into a life-transforming treatment for patients.
Acromegaly is a chronic, rare disease associated with excess growth hormone secretion. It causes overgrowth of body tissues and, if untreated, can lead to secondary problems such as hypertension and heart failure.
Failure to receive adequate medical treatment for this condition can reduce life expectancy by 10 years.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare genetic disease that causes progressive loss of muscle tissue. It affects boys almost exclusively.
Patients typically lose the ability to walk by the time they reach 12 years of age, and often die as a result of respiratory or cardiac failure.
Before treatments were available, children with the disease typically lived into their early teens. But as a result of steroid use and supportive respiratory therapies, many patients now live well into their 20s.
There is still much to be done to allow these patients to live a fuller life.
Gaucher (go-SHAY) disease is a rare, inherited condition in which fatty deposits accumulate in critical organs and body systems, causing damage.
The disease is caused by genetic mutations received from both parents.
Growth hormone deficiency (also known as dwarfism) is a growth disease associated with inadequate secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland, the "master gland" in the brain.
Children with this disease have abnormally short stature with normal body proportions.
Hemophilia is a rare hematological (blood) disease that has been one of our key areas of focus for more than 30 years. Significant progress has been made in the treatment of hemophilia.
Prior to the 1960s, average life expectancy of a male with severe hemophilia was 12 years of age.
Today, hemophilia patients who receive treatment can expect to live relatively active and long lives.
However, we believe more can be done to improve treatment for these patients and we are making progress with pioneering approaches to treat the full spectrum of the disease.
Learn About Hemophilia
Sickle cell disease is a rare hematological condition that results in misshapen red blood cells, which can block the flow of blood through the body. (Sickle cell anemia is one of the conditions grouped under this disorder.)
Sickle cell disease can cause intense pain, as well as problems such as stroke, acute chest syndrome, joint damage, kidney issues, and occasionally heart problems.
Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a rare but life-threatening condition that affects the heart and is associated with heart failure.
ATTR-CM is characterized by the build-up of transthyretin amyloid in the heart, which causes the heart muscle to stiffen over time, eventually leading to heart failure.
Symptoms of ATTR-CM often mimic those of other more common heart conditions, resulting in the disease being significantly underdiagnosed. Education, awareness, and treatment are critical to improving the diagnosis and care of people affected by ATTR-CM.
Transthyretin Amyloid Polyneuropathy (ATTR-PN) is a rare, progressive, and fatal neurodegenerative disease, which causes an abnormal build-up of amyloid deposits in the peripheral and autonomic nerves, leading to symptoms such as numbness in the feet, dizziness or fainting, abnormal heartbeat, and unintentional weight loss.
ATTR-PN can be difficult to recognize and manage. Misdiagnosis is common and definitive diagnosis can be delayed for years, postponing adequate treatment and genetic counseling, and leading to possible irreversible damage.
Rare Disease Resources
With more than three decades of experience in rare diseases, our broad portfolio aims to address unmet medical needs across four main therapeutic areas: rare hematology, rare endocrine/metabolic, rare cardiology, and rare neurology.
Centers for Therapeutic Innovation
Our Centers for Therapeutic Innovation collaborates with academic institutions and investigators to push forward great science, using the depth and breadth of the Pfizer enterprise to accelerate concepts into viable therapies with breakthrough potential for patients.
Areas of Focus
Revolutionary medicines have the power to enrich and extend life across many disease areas. Explore our latest innovations.
Diseases & Conditions Index
We strive to fundamentally transform what it means to live with a disease or condition.
Our Team Looks Forward to Working with You
Associate Research Fellow and Group Leader, Chemical Development Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Senior Vice President of Pfizer Vaccine Clinical Research and Development
Senior Director, Oncology Medicinal Chemistry Synthesis and Analytical Group
Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Internal Medicine Research Unit
Associate Research Fellow and Group Leader, Chemical Development Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Senior Vice President of Pfizer Vaccine Clinical Research and Development
Senior Director, Oncology Medicinal Chemistry Synthesis and Analytical Group
Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Internal Medicine Research Unit
Associate Research Fellow and Group Leader, Chemical Development Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Senior Vice President of Pfizer Vaccine Clinical Research and Development
Senior Director, Oncology Medicinal Chemistry Synthesis and Analytical Group
Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Internal Medicine Research Unit
Associate Research Fellow and Group Leader, Chemical Development Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
Senior Vice President of Pfizer Vaccine Clinical Research and Development
Senior Director, Oncology Medicinal Chemistry Synthesis and Analytical Group
Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, Internal Medicine Research Unit