Pfizer Inc. (PFE) announced encouraging top-line data from a phase IIIb study evaluating Genotropin for increasing height in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) children aged between 24 and 30 months.
The controlled, multi-center,, randomized phase IIIb study (n = 43) was aimed at gathering additional insight into the safety and efficacy of Genotropin in born SGA children who do not achieve catch-up growth by two years of age.
The study met its primary endpoint. After 24 months, statistically significant increases in height from baseline was observed in the Genotropin arm as compared to those who did not receive Genotropin. Results were measured by the height standard deviation score.
We note that Genotropin is already approved in the U.S. for treating children who fail to make enough growth hormone on their own, have the genetic condition known as Prader-Willi syndrome, were born smaller than most other babies, have Turner syndrome (a genetic disorder) or have idiopathic short stature. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved the drug for the treatment adults with growth hormone deficiency. Genotropin generated revenues of $772 million in 2013.
Pfizer carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Pfizer will be hit by a series of patent expiries including that of Aricept, Revatio and Viagra until 2015. The loss of patent exclusivity in the coming years will make it challenging for the company to drive top-line growth. The company expects loss of exclusivity and other factors to cut 2014 revenues by about $3 billion.
Investors looking for better-ranked stocks in the biopharma sector may consider companies like Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (QCOR), Shire (SHPG) and Alkermes (ALKS), all of which carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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