Pfizer's torcetrapib/atorvastatin raises good cholesterol, cuts bad cholesterol, study funds

New York, Nov. 15 - Pfizer Inc. said that torcetrapib combined with all doses of atorvastatin (Lipitor) resulted in significant increases in patients' good cholesterol (HDL) levels while also significantly decreasing their bad cholesterol (LDL).

In a study of nearly 500 patients, those who received torcetrapib (60 mg) and atorvastatin (10, 20, 40, 80 mg) had increases in HDL-cholesterol of 44% to 66%. At the same time, their LDL-cholesterol dropped between 41% and 60%.

The results were from two phase 2 studies and were presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association.

"These results demonstrate that torcetrapib/atorvastatin can dramatically raise HDL while providing LDL-lowering benefits greater than Lipitor alone," said Dr. Joseph Feczko, Pfizer's chief medical officer. "These results were pivotal in our decision to move forward with a Phase 3 program, the final stage in clinical development. If this program is successful, this new approach could change the way physicians manage cholesterol and reduce further the risk of atherosclerosis in their patients."

Pfizer is a New York-based pharmaceutical company.

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