Pfizer's tanezumab hits a nerve (growth factor)
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Experimental drugs rarely face setbacks because they are too effective, but Pfizer's novel nerve growth factor antagonist tanezumab might number among the unlucky few. Phase II data presented this week in the NEJM show that the monoclonal antibody relieved osteoarthritic pain, but an accompanying editorial proposed that in doing so the analgesic enables physical activity that can lead to excessive wear and tear on fragile joints.