In this email sent to Pfizer’s research and development staff, head of research Martin Mackay discloses that the company will be cutting development of high cholesterol and artery disease drugs. He outlines in detail the company’s R&D pipeline. Read the full memo here.

 
Martin Mackay
President
Sept. 25, 2008

Dear PGRD Colleagues,

As indicated in my note to you on Monday, I am planning a series of communications to share information about strategic decisions to drive the success of Pfizer. The message below, from the Therapeutic Area Advisory Group, describes important steps we are taking to prioritize our portfolio to deliver the most value. Next week, I will share third-quarter portfolio data that reflects our continued advances in aggressively delivering the R&D pipeline.

 

 

9/25/08
Disease Area Prioritization (ISP Read Out)
From the Therapeutic Area Advisory Group

Colleagues,

This note details how we are progressing our growth strategy to optimize the patent-protected portfolio and deliver our late-stage R&D pipeline. Over the last several months, with considerable input from Therapeutic Area leaders, we’ve looked hard at all our disease areas (DAs). We built an understanding of what investments are required in each area to capture market opportunities and to gain competitive advantage. The result is an Integrated Strategic Plan (ISP) that focuses and prioritizes our R&D investments.

Alzheimer’s Disease, Diabetes, Inflammation/Immunology, Oncology, Pain and Psychoses (Schizophrenia) are confirmed as our higher priority areas. These large markets, with rapidly advancing science, are the areas where Pfizer can take a leading position.

We will, of course, continue work in many other DAs: Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, Genitourinary, Infectious Diseases, Smoking Cessation, Thrombosis and Transplant. Investments in these areas will vary, and your managers will provide more details.

One area, Ophthalmology, is still under discussion. We need a little more time to consider how best to proceed here.

We intend to exit these Disease Areas: Anemia, Atherosclerosis/Hyperlipidemia, Bone Health/Frailty, GI, Heart Failure, Liver Fibrosis, Muscle, Obesity, Osteoarthritis (disease modifying concepts only) and Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Individual strategies, e.g., out licensing, and timetables for exits are now being developed, and you will soon hear more details about specific programs. Some colleagues will be displaced, but we know there are significant opportunities in our go-forward areas and many opportunities to redirect talent.

There are other important points that need highlighting.

First, the ISP will not affect our portfolio of marketed products. Nor will it affect any near-term launches of new indications or formulations for these products. Furthermore, ISP decisions will not affect the continued development of our current Phase 3 portfolio or any launches planned over the next three years.

Second, the ISP Read Out will have no direct impact on the future of any Pfizer site.

Third, the ISP decisions were based on market opportunities and the potential for Pfizer to gain a leading position. They do not attempt to value the performance of any area or group.

Now we have established priorities and Disease Area focus, we can develop specific plans for individual projects and people. In keeping with our communication principles and respect for people, we have already communicated with those colleagues directly and immediately affected.

The new plan is entirely consistent with our growth strategies, including Our Path Forward and the Five Point Plan. It represents cross-divisional agreement on strategy for each DA, including long-term targets and metrics. We are confident that prioritizing our portfolio is the way to deliver value and provides clarity and direction for all managers and their teams.

Michael Berelowitz, Global Medical
Ed Harrigan, Global Medical
Rod MacKenzie, Research
Briggs Morrison, Development
Susan Silbermann, Worldwide Commercial Development

The Therapeutic Area Advisory Group (TAAG) is the senior-level committee that is leading our disease area prioritization.