Pfizer Drops Anti-cholesterol Drug from Trials

Nov. 1, 2016

Despite earlier clinical trial wins, Pfizer has decided to discontinue its clinical development program for bococizumab, its experimental anticholesterol drug.

Bococizumab is a PCSK9i that was studied for its potential to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and improve cardiovascular outcomes.

According to Pfizer, clinical information now available for bococizumab, along with the current treatment and market landscape for lipid-lowering agents, indicates that "bococizumab is not likely to provide value to patients, physicians, or shareholders."

As a result, Pfizer has decided to discontinue the development program, including the two ongoing cardiovascular outcome studies. Over the summer, Pfizer had scratched the development of its oral PCK9 inhibitor, when it was determined it would not stand up to injectabel rivals.

Read the press release here