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Pfizer Ophthalmics offers ‘a strong commitment to ophthalmology’
The senior director for Pfizer Ophthalmics discusses the role of Pfizer as a ‘medicines’ company with its newly acquired surgical line’s best interest in mind.
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| ANAHEIM, Calif. — Emerging from 5 months of mystery following the merger of Pfizer and Pharmacia, in September Pfizer Ophthalmics began to put forth an identity in an attempt to merge the two big pharma companies’ ophthalmic personalities. Its advertising campaign introduced Pfizer Ophthalmics, noting its dedication to the subspecialty and its commitment to developing therapeutics for glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Still, rumors circulated about the company’s exploration of a possible sale of its surgical line, which includes the viscoelastic Healon5 (sodium hyaluronate 2.3%) and the CeeOn and Tecnis IOLs. According to a July 2003 company press release, the surgical business had sales of approximately $150 million in 2002. At the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in November, Pfizer Ophthalmics commanded the attention of attendees with its large presence in the exhibition hall. During that meeting, Ocular Surgery News sat down with Neil Levine, Senior Director, Group Leader Endocrine Care/Ophthalmology, Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals, to discuss the state of Pfizer’s ophthalmic business line. Joan-Marie Stiglich, ELS |
Ocular Surgery News: Your large booth for Pfizer Ophthalmics is an obvious way of announcing the new company entity.
Neil Levine: We wanted to show the ophthalmology community that we are committed to the field. This is the biggest ophthalmology meeting in the world, so this seemed like the best place to make a big splash and announce the formation and launch of Pfizer Ophthalmics and to show our commitment to ophthalmology.
OSN: How have customers reacted?
Mr. Levine: At first, customers weren’t sure. But we talked to them a lot and did research to find out what they wanted, desired and needed from us. The customers I have talked to have been pleased. In a number of ways, we are going to be there for them.
Pfizer Ophthalmics is here to stay. When Pfizer decides to enter an important therapeutic area, such as ophthalmology, we go into it in a big way.
We believe in bringing value to our customers, patients and physicians.
OSN: Have any physicians expressed concern about disappearing product lines, continuity of service, changes in personnel? In particular, the status of the surgical business?
Mr. Levine: Yes. But I think that in a way it reaffirms our commitment — that we are a medicines company. That’s what we do best. We discover, we develop, we bring to market medicines for the people who need them.
We made a decision 5 or 6 years ago that that is what we are going to be. We had a device division, but we made a decision at the highest levels of the company to focus on medicine.
OSN: Why did Pfizer purchase a company like Pharmacia?
Mr. Levine: Pharmacia was similar in culture and philosophy. It had a lot of strengths. We were partners on a couple of large products and we thought we could do the one-plus-one-equals-three logic. We were the two best companies in the industry.
The research that Pharmacia has is really complimentary. So now we have 14 products that are No. 1 in their categories.
OSN: Where does Pfizer Ophthalmics fall in a company with 10 major therapeutic areas and several blockbuster products?
Mr. Levine: Xalatan (latanoprost ophthalmic solution) is a blockbuster as well. Pfizer Ophthalmics is an area of commitment for the company as a whole. Actually, we have been in ophthalmology for 5 years with Zithromax (azithromycin) for trachoma, and we have treated about 5 million people. In November, Pfizer announced at the United Nations that we are committed to the International Trachoma Initiative for another 5 years; that is, not only committed, but we will increase our commitment by distributing 135 million doses in the developing world. This is something we can all be proud of.
OSN: Can you discuss your relationship with Eyetech Pharmaceuticals? That company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of shares of its common stock, and Pfizer has a licensing agreement with Eyetech for Macugen, its anti-vascular endothelial growth factor pegylated aptamer.
Mr. Levine: Actually, Eyetech is in its quiet period, and I am not at liberty to discuss our relationship with them.
OSN: Are you looking for other companies like Eyetech with whom to partner or develop drugs?
Mr. Levine: Pfizer is always looking at opportunities to further the health of patients. Dedicated people in our licensing group go out and do that. And Pfizer is the No. 1 partner of choice, given the success we have had over the past few years with the products that we have partnered with both in the United States and internationally. Ophthalmology is just one area we are doing that in.
OSN: Are there any particular key areas that you are looking at?
Mr. Levine: Yes. Glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are our research focuses, plus infectious diseases and inflammation as it relates to the eye.
OSN: You do not have products currently in the inflammation area, correct?
Mr. Levine: Yes.
OSN: Does Pfizer Ophthalmics have global reach?
Mr. Levine: Pfizer Ophthalmics exists in more than 100 markets where Pfizer exists.
OSN: Is there anything else you would say to your ophthalmic customers, the readers of Ocular Surgery News?
Mr. Levine: Pfizer is committed to the elimination of preventable blindness. I would like to reiterate to those who came to the AAO and those who didn’t that we are committed to ophthalmology. When you look at ophthalmology, there has never been a company with the resources and the strength in this community like Pfizer.
As our president of Pfizer U.S., Pat Kelly, put it, “Pfizer is making a significant commitment to discover, develop and provide breakthrough treatments in ophthalmology to support the patients who benefit from these medicines and to serve the health care professionals who prescribe them.”
For Your Information:
- Neil Levine can be reached at Pfizer Inc, 235 East 42nd St., New York, NY 10017; 212-573-3493; fax: 212-672-7926; e-mail: levinn@pfizer.com.