Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, announced that four Wyeth researchers were honoured at the Research & Development (R&D) Council of New Jersey 2006 annual Thomas Alva Edison patent awards last night for a significant scientific breakthrough and revolutionary product innovation originating in New Jersey. The Wyeth researchers, Christopher P. Miller, Ph.D.; Michael D. Collini; Bach D. Tran; and Arthrur A. Santilli, Ph.D., received the 2006 Thomas Alva Edison patent award in the category of Emerging Therapies. The researchers were granted the patent for bazedoxifene, an investigational selective estrogen receptor modulator for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Wyeth submitted a new drug application to the US Food and Drug Administration in June 2006 for bazedoxifene as a potential new therapy for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

"The R&D Council of New Jersey is acknowledging the advancement of a treatment that has the potential to improve the quality of life for postmenopausal women," says Robert R. Ruffolo, Jr., Ph.D., president, Wyeth Research, and senior vice president, Wyeth. "Bazedoxifene is a significant component of the Wyeth pipeline, and we are grateful that our scientists are receiving this recognition from the R&D Council of New Jersey."

The Research & Development Council of New Jersey is a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating an environment that supports the advancement of research and development throughout New Jersey. The council is composed of senior representatives from industry, academia and government. In fact, many R&D Council members represent today's Fortune 100 companies.