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Pfizer (PFE) Presents Favorable Data on Leukemia Candidate

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Pfizer Inc. (PFE - Free Report) announced new positive data from a randomized phase II study on its investigational candidate glasdegib (PF-04449913) for the first-line treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), who were ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

Pfizer shares gained 4.1% in the past one month, comparing favorably with a decline of 1.3% for the Zacks classified Large-Cap Pharma industry.



Glasdegib is the first smoothened inhibitor to demonstrate a clinical benefit in patients with AML and high-risk MDS.

Coming back to the data releases, glasdegib led to a significant improvement in overall survival (OS) when added to low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) compared to LDAC alone. Patients were treated with either LDAC 20mg subcutaneously twice daily for 10 days, in combination with oral glasdegib 100 mg daily, or LDAC alone.

Glasdegib is the first SMO inhibitor to lead to a clinical benefit in this patient population. The candidate works by inhibiting the SMO receptor, thereby disrupting the hedgehog (Hh) pathway – a compelling target in cancer research because of the ability to target and disrupt cancer-originating cell.

The study was conducted on a total of 132 patients and the data were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

Per the company’s press release, AML, a rapidly progressing blood cancer, represents a market with huge demand for new treatment options.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

Pfizer currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the health care sector include Heska Corporation , Cambrex Corporation and Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (VNDA - Free Report) . Each of these stocks sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Heska’s earnings estimates have increased from $1.13 to $1.35 for 2016 and from $1.38 to $1.53 for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company has posted a positive earnings surprise in all of the four trailing quarters with an average beat of 301.64%. Its share price has increased 68.7% year to date.

Cambrex’s earnings estimates increased from $2.46 to $2.55 for 2016 and from $2.91 to $3.06 for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company posted a positive earnings surprise in three of the four trailing quarters with an average beat of 19.78%. Its share price has increased 7.7% year to date.

Vanda’s loss estimates have narrowed from 68 cents to 56 cents for 2016 while its earnings estimates have increased from 16 cents to 17 cents for 2017 over the last 60 days. The company has posted a positive earnings surprise in three of the four trailing quarters with an average beat of 56.65%. Its share price surged 67.6% year to date.

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