Clinical trials of Exubera, an insulin inhaler, have shown an increased incidence of lung cancer. Exubera is made by Pfizer, Inc. in a partnership with Nektar Therapeutics. The findings have lead Nektar to end talks about marketing Exubera with potential partners.
Trial Findings
According to Pfizer, six of 4,740 patients treated with Exubera developed lung cancer, while one of 4,292 patients untreated by Exubera developed lung cancer. One case of cancer apparently developed after Exubera was placed on the market. However, Pfizer claims that those who developed lung cancer were smokers and that there were too few cases to determine a concrete link, and states this on Exubera’s warning label.
Health and Money
Though Pfizer said it would stop marketing Exubera in October, this story stems from the FDA’s ongoing review of the trial and post-marketing investigation. Sales of Exubera were also less than stellar, and promises of helping diabetics avoid needles never really came to fruition. What was once thought to have the potential to be a $2 billion windfall has now become a problem for Pfizer who must now explain the timing of the marketing authorization withdrawal with regulatory agencies. Nova Nordisk and Eli Lilly have also abandoned insulin inhaler programs since Pfizer quit last year.
If you, or a loved one, believe your lung cancer can be linked to Exubera, please contact an injury lawyer with experience in pharmaceutical liability.
