Pfizer Inc. announced the suspension of the osteoarthritis clinical programme for the investigational compound tanezumab following a request by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The worldwide suspension – which is effective immediately – follows a small number of reports of tanezumab patients experiencing the worsening of osteoarthritis leading to joint replacement. To date, this adverse event has not been observed in non-osteoarthritis patient populations taking tanezumab.

The clinical hold includes both the suspension of recruitment of new patients and the dosing of existing patients in the osteoarthritis program, as well as patients with osteoarthritis in other studies. The FDA has asked that, later this week, the company present its assessment of the potential implications of the adverse events in the osteoarthritis programme for the other tanezumab clinical programmes involving non-osteoarthritis patients, which include patients with cancer pain, interstitial cystitis, chronic low back pain and painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The company is actively working with the FDA, to determine the appropriate course of action, which will serve the best interest of patients.