SEARLE/PFIZER STATEMENT ON THE U.S. FDA ARTHRITIS ADVISORY COMMI
PR Wire
December 1, 1998, 6:58 p.m. ET
Recommendation that Celebrex (Celecoxib) be Approved for Marketing
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Searle and Pfizer are pleased that the
investigational compound Celebrex(TM) (celecoxib) received a recommendation
for approval by the Arthritis Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). Celebrex is currently under FDA review for acute or
chronic use in the treatment of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis and for the management of pain. The compound has been
submitted as the first member of a new class of agents known as specific COX-2
inhibitors. The Committee unanimously recommended approval for the
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis indications, and recommended that the
indication for the management of pain continue to be discussed between the
company and the FDA. The Committee's recommendation, however, is not binding
on the FDA. The FDA will make the final decision on Celebrex's application.
Searle and Pfizer will continue to work closely with the FDA throughout
the remainder of the review to help address outstanding issues.
Searle, a global leader in arthritis products and educational programs, is
the pharmaceutical sector of Monsanto (NYSE: MTC) Company. Searle develops,
produces and markets prescription pharmaceuticals, including major products to
treat arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cancer and its complications,
insomnia and women's health. For more information on Searle, access
www.searlehealthnet.com. As a life sciences company, Monsanto is committed to
finding solutions to the growing global needs for food and health by sharing
common forms of science and technology among agriculture, nutrition and
health. In 1997, Monsanto reported sales of $7.5 billion and invested nearly
$1 billion in research and development.
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) is a research-based healthcare company with global
operations. In 1997, the company reported revenues of $12.5 billion and plans
to invest approximately $2 billion in research and development in 1998.
SOURCE Monsanto Company
-0- 12/01/98
/CONTACT: Scarlett Lee Foster, pager, 800-557-2603, or Claudia Kovitz,
847-581-6786, both of Monsanto Company/
/Web site: monsanto.com
(MTC PFE)
CO: Monsanto Company
ST: Missouri
IN: MTC
SU:
-0- Dec/01/1998 18:43
EOS (PRN) Dec/01/98 18:43 86
-0- (PRN) Dec/01/1998 18:58
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