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 October 28.

"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 signalling 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."