Pfizer cancels program for bococizumab its proposed treatment for dyslipidaemia.

Pfizer Inc. has announced the discontinuation of the global clinical development program for bococizumab, its investigational Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin type 9 inhibitor (PCSK9i). The totality of clinical information now available for bococizumab, taken together with the evolving treatment and market landscape for lipid-lowering agents, indicates that bococizumab is not likely to provide value to patients, physicians, or shareholders. As a result, Pfizer has decided to discontinue the development program, including the two ongoing cardiovascular outcome studies.

With the completion of six bococizumab lipid-lowering studies, Pfizer has observed an emerging clinical profile that includes an unanticipated attenuation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering over time, as well as a higher level of immunogenicity and higher rate of injection-site reactions with bococizumab than shown with the other agents in this class. The goal of treating elevated cholesterol is to reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and stroke, which requires long-term effective and durable cholesterol-lowering.

Comment: Bococizumab is a PCSK9i that was studied for its potential to lower LDL-C and improve cardiovascular outcomes. It works by blocking the function of the PCSK9 protein, which interferes with the clearance of LDL-C, a leading known risk factor for heart disease. Bococizumab has not received regulatory approval in any country.