Potential first-in-class treatment reaches significant milestone

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepts for review Pfizer and Eli Lilly's Biologics License Application (BLA) for tanezumab — a non-opioid treatment for patients with chronic pain due to moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis.

Tanezumab is a monoclonal antibody that is part of an investigational class of non-opioid chronic pain medications known as nerve growth factor (NGF) inhibitors.

Currently available treatment options for moderate-to-severe OA do not meet the needs of all patients, and many cycle through multiple therapies to find relief from their pain.

"The FDA acceptance of the tanezumab application represents a significant milestone, and the breadth of our regulatory submission reflects the extensive clinical data we have gathered for tanezumab over the course of its development," said Ken Verburg, tanezumab development team leader, Pfizer Global Product Development.

"There is an urgent need for innovation in the treatment of osteoarthritis, as there have been no new classes of medicines available for this debilitating condition in more than a decade. If approved, tanezumab would be a first-in-class treatment for patients suffering from chronic pain due to moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis who have experienced inadequate pain relief with other analgesics."

"Osteoarthritis patients face a significant burden — due to the physical pain they experience, nearly every aspect of their lives can be impacted. This pain can affect their ability to participate in daily activities, which can have significant psychological, social and societal consequences," said Patrik Jonsson, president, Lilly Bio-Medicines.

The Prescription Drug User Fee Act goal date for the FDA to make a decision on the tanezumab application is in December 2020.