(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pfizer will highlight several presentations and posters across a spectrum of pain and inflammatory conditions at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting in San Francisco from October 25 to 29, 2008. Late-breaking abstracts for Pfizer’s investigational JAK-inhibitor CP-690,550 and Celebrex (celecoxib capsules) will be presented at the meeting.

Pfizer will also host an investor briefing during ACR to review data from three pipeline candidates on Tuesday, October 28 at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

“At least half of all patients suffering from pain associated with arthritis, fibromyalgia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy do not receive sufficient relief from existing therapies,” said Dr. Ken Verburg, development head of Pfizer’s Pain Portfolio. “Pfizer has a long history in bringing innovative therapies to patients to help manage these conditions, such as Celebrex and Lyrica (pregabalin) Capsules CV, and we continue to expand our pain franchise through significant R&D investment in this key ‘invest to win’ therapeutic area with 12 compounds currently in clinical development.”

Pfizer will present data on a number of compounds that represent potential new mechanisms targeting pain and inflammation. These include a new molecule designed to target nerve growth factor, a key pain mediator; a JAK-inhibitor that interferes with the intracellular messenger signaling of a range of inflammatory cytokines to reduce the disease process in rheumatoid arthritis; and a highly selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor which upregulates the activity of this important neurotransmitter.

“Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and the leading cause of disability among Americans over the age of 15. There still remains significant need for new medications to address the pain, disability and underlying disease progression of inflammatory diseases,” said Dr. Ethan Weiner, development head for Inflammation at Pfizer. “We are very excited to present data on CP-690,550, our JAK-inhibitor, and lead compound in development for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as tanezumab, a compound that may offer a novel way of treating osteoarthritis pain at the upcoming ACR meeting.”

Data on Pfizer’s investigational and in-line compounds targeting pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia to be presented at the meeting include:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

• CP-690,550: Phase 2b data evaluating the activity of Pfizer’s small molecule JAK-inhibitor, CP-690,550 in combination with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis will be in a late-breaking presentation by Dr. Joel Kremer, professor of medicine and head of rheumatology, Albany Medical College on Tuesday, October 28.
• CP-690,550: Phase 2 data evaluating the tolerability and safety of JAK-inhibitor CP-690,555 in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis will be presented by Dr. Carol Connell, associate director, Pfizer Inflammation Research Division on Sunday, October 26.
• CP-690,550: Phase 1 results from a trial assessing the tolerability of oral JAK-inhibitor CP-690,550 with methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis will be presented in a poster session by Dr. Bethanie Wilkinson, associate director, Pfizer Inflammation Research Division on Sunday October 26.

Osteoarthritis

• Tanezumab: Phase 2 data exploring the efficacy of tanezumab in relieving moderate to severe pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee will be presented in an Oral Concurrent session by Dr. Nancy Lane, director and endowed professor, Aging Center, Medicine and Rheumatology, University of California at Davis Medical Center on Tuesday, October 28.
• Celebrex: Late breaking study results evaluating daily use of Celebrex versus intermittent use during disease exacerbations in patients with osteoarthritis will be presented in a poster session by Dr. Vibeke Strand, clinical professor, Division of Immunology/Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine on Monday, October 27.

Fibromyalgia

• Lyrica: Data on the efficacy and safety profile of FDA-approved medication, Lyrica, in patients with fibromyalgia, will be presented on Sunday, October 26 and Tuesday, October 28.
• Esreboxetine: Phase 2 study results on the efficacy of esreboxetine administered once daily in patients with fibromyalgia will be presented by Dr. Leslie Arnold, professor of psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine on Sunday, October 26.

For more information on Pfizer pain and inflammation compounds, including full prescribing information, please visit www.pfizer.com.

DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release is as of October 13, 2008. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments.

This release contains forward-looking information about CP-690,550, tanezumab, esreboxetine and various other pain and inflammation product candidates, including their potential benefits, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development; decisions by regulatory authorities regarding whether and when to approve any drug applications that may be filed for any such drug candidates as well as their decisions regarding labeling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of any such drug candidates; and competitive developments.

A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and in its reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.