VALENCIA, Calif. & NEW YORK, Sep 16, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq: MNKD) and Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) announced
today that MannKind will transition certain Exubera patients with a
continuing need for inhaled insulin to MannKind's
inhaled insulin product, Technosphere(R)
Insulin. Technosphere Insulin is an investigational product that has
recently completed Phase 3 clinical trials.
In October 2007, Pfizer announced that it would stop marketing Exubera
(insulin human (rDNA origin)) Inhalation Powder because it did not meet
customers' needs or Pfizer's
financial expectations. Since that time, Exubera patients have been
transitioning to other diabetes therapies, although there remains a
small number of patients with a continuing medical need for inhaled
insulin. Pfizer began discussions with MannKind to give these patients
access to Technosphere Insulin. Pfizer will reimburse some of MannKind's
costs relating to the transition of patients.
According to MannKind's Chief Scientific
Officer, Dr. Peter Richardson, "For some
Exubera patients, continued treatment with inhaled insulin is needed.
These patients generally fall into two categories: those with severe
needle-phobia or a very poor response to subcutaneous insulin. This
small number of patients represents a group with particularly high
medical need who will benefit from using an inhaled insulin such as
Technosphere Insulin."
Hakan Edstrom, MannKind's President and Chief
Operating Officer, commented, "We're
pleased to work with Pfizer as we transition these patients and to help
them manage their diabetes."
About MannKind Corporation
MannKind Corporation (Nasdaq: MNKD) focuses on the discovery,
development and commercialization of therapeutic products for patients
with diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Its pipeline includes
Technosphere Insulin, which has completed Phase 3 clinical trials, and
MKC253, which is currently in phase 1 clinical trials. Both of these
investigational products are being evaluated for their safety and
efficacy in the treatment of diabetes. For more information on MannKind
Corporation and its technology, visit http://www.mannkindcorp.com.
About Pfizer
Founded in 1849, Pfizer is the world's largest research-based
pharmaceutical company. Pfizer is taking new approaches to advancing
better health as it discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers
quality, safe and effective prescription medicines to treat and help
prevent disease for both people and animals. For more information visit www.pfizer.com.
SOURCE: Pfizer Inc
MannKind
Peter Richardson, 201-983-5064
Chief Scientific Officer
prichardson@mannkindcorp.com
or
Pfizer
Vanessa Aristide, 212-733-3784
Vanessa.aristide@pfizer.com
