Pfizer Begins Manufacturing Torcetrapib

Torcetrapib Promises to Raise HDL Levels

Pfizer will begin to manufacture a new cholesterol-lowering drug, a torcetrapib/atorvastatin combination, in its Loughbeg, Ireland facility soon. Toretrapib is a promising new investigational drug that lowers cholesterol unlike any of the cholesterol-lowering medications on the market. This drug functions by inhibiting the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), which is an important molecule in the liver that transfers cholesterol and regulates cholesterol size. Atorvastatin functions by lowering LDL cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol).

It has taken almost fifteen years for scientists at Pfizer to develop torcetrapib. This new approach to lowering cholesterol included the development of new chemicals that could raise HDL levels and looking at individuals who did not have CETP, which left them with higher than normal levels of HDL (the good cholesterol) and lowered risk of cardiovascular disease. The resulting trials and research conducted on this drug has been promising to date. For instance, according to the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM 350:1505-1515), this drug has been shown to raise HDL levels (the good cholesterol) by 61% and lower LDL levels (the bad cholesterol) in combination with a statin, as opposed to only 46% when used without a statin. Torcetrapib has no effect on LDL levels. Results from other trials have revealed that due to the enhanced rise of HDL levels when combined with a statin, torcetrapib should be combined with atorvastatin as one drug. Researchers involved with the study feel that atorvastatin’s ability to lower LDL levels and torcetrapib’s ability to raise HDL levels will provide an excellent defense against cardiovascular disease.

The torcetrapib/atorvastatin combination is currently in ending its Phase III clinical trials has moved on to a final phase of trials that test the morbidity and mortality rates of individuals taking the drug. This drug is not available to date, since is still undergoing phase III clinical trials. It has been postulated by various sources that this drug may be on the market in 2008. Nonetheless, the results gathered from the trials and research so far look very promising.



~Jennifer Moll 06/26/2005