Pfizer's Xeljanz Post-Marketing Study Raises Safety Alarms

Jan 27 2021

• By Jessica Merrill

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A safety study of Pfizer's anchor immunology brand Xeljanz showed higher rates of heart attacks and cancer versus a TNF inhibitor.

flashing light — Pfizer's Xeljanz shows safety issues in a new study • Source: Shutterstock

Pfizer Inc.'s oral JAK inhibitor Xeljanz (tofacitinib) is an anchor franchise the company hopes to use to build out a broader immunology portfolio, but renewed safety concerns could thwart the brand's future growth prospects. Increased risks of cardiovascular disease and cancers associated with the drug could also cast a cloud over newer JAK inhibitors like AbbVie Inc.'s Rinvoq (upadactanib) and Eli Lilly and Company's Olumiant (baricitinib).

Pfizer announced the results of a Phase IV post-marketing safety study of Xeljanz required by the US Food and Drug...

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