Pfizer Bapineuzumab Fails, All Clinical Trials Discontinued

The clinical findings and the decision to discontinue the bapineuzumab IV program in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease is another setback for the Alzheimer's Community.

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Pfizer Inc. and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) said Monday they are ending development of a drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease after the treatment failed in two late-stage clinical trials.

The companies said bapineuzumab intravenousdid not work better than placebo in the two late-stage clinical trials of patients who had mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

"We are obviously very disappointed in the outcomes of this trial. We are also saddened by the lost opportunity to provide a meaningful advance for patients afflicted with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers," Steven Romano, head of Pfizer's Medicines Development Group, said in a statement.

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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 2012 Review

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is a major developer, manufacturer and marketer of health care products. 

Its major divisions are: Consumer (baby care, oral care, non-prescription drugs, wound care and skin care), Medical Devices (electrophysiology, circulatory disease management and orthopedic joint reconstruction) and Pharmaceuticals (contraceptives, psychiatric, anti-infective, gastrointestinal and dermatological).

Over the past ten years, the company has earned a 20-30% return on equity while growing its earnings and dividend at a 12-14% annual rate. While profit and dividend growth may slow somewhat short term, its strong, well diversified product line should continue to grow rapidly longer term as a result of: