Breaking: Drug Company Pfizer Abandons All Alzheimer's And Parkinson's Research

One of World's Biggest Drug Companies Just Abandoned Alzheimer's And Parkinson's Research
www.sciencealert.com...

Pfizer, the world's third largest drug maker, has announced it is ending research to discover new medications for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

The move, which will eliminate hundreds of research positions across the pharmaceutical giant's roster, casts an even darker shadow outside the company – dashing the hopes of millions affected by neurological disorders, whose dreams of finding a treatment just got that much more desperate.

The pharmaceutical giant explained its decision, which will entail roughly 300 layoffs, as a move to better position itself "to bring new therapies to patients who need them."

"As a result of a recent comprehensive review, we have made the decision to end our neuroscience discovery and early development efforts and re-allocate [spending] to those areas where we have strong scientific leadership and that will allow us to provide the greatest impact for patients," Pfizer said in a statement emailed to NPR.

Pfizer added that it will "continue to fully support" development on tanezumab and Lyrica, two treatments targeting chronic pain, as well as programs researching rare neurological diseases.

The round of several hundred layoffs "will take place over the coming months" at its research and development labs in the Northeast — specifically, sites in Cambridge and Andover, Mass., and in Groton, Conn.

"Any decision impacting colleagues is difficult; however, we believe this will best position the company to bring meaningful new therapies to market, and will bring the most value for shareholders and patients."

This is a total business/profits move and nothing more. So another round of Big Pharma pulling all the strings into making money.

I wonder if this wasn't just a profit move, but maybe some secret cure that was discovered which completely reversed Alz and Park's diseases and so Pfizer quickly shut down the lab which discovered the findings. There are always 2 sides to every story.

a reply to: Skywatcher2011

Maybe they realized they spent a lot of money and got very little return on their investment.

originally posted by: Skywatcher2011
One of World's Biggest Drug Companies Just Abandoned Alzheimer's And Parkinson's Research
www.sciencealert.com...

Pfizer, the world's third largest drug maker, has announced it is ending research to discover new medications for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

The move, which will eliminate hundreds of research positions across the pharmaceutical giant's roster, casts an even darker shadow outside the company – dashing the hopes of millions affected by neurological disorders, whose dreams of finding a treatment just got that much more desperate.

The pharmaceutical giant explained its decision, which will entail roughly 300 layoffs, as a move to better position itself "to bring new therapies to patients who need them."

"As a result of a recent comprehensive review, we have made the decision to end our neuroscience discovery and early development efforts and re-allocate [spending] to those areas where we have strong scientific leadership and that will allow us to provide the greatest impact for patients," Pfizer said in a statement emailed to NPR.

Pfizer added that it will "continue to fully support" development on tanezumab and Lyrica, two treatments targeting chronic pain, as well as programs researching rare neurological diseases.

The round of several hundred layoffs "will take place over the coming months" at its research and development labs in the Northeast — specifically, sites in Cambridge and Andover, Mass., and in Groton, Conn.

"Any decision impacting colleagues is difficult; however, we believe this will best position the company to bring meaningful new therapies to market, and will bring the most value for shareholders and patients."

This is a total business/profits move and nothing more. So another round of Big Pharma pulling all the strings into making money.

I wonder if this wasn't just a profit move, but maybe some secret cure that was discovered which completely reversed Alz and Park's diseases and so Pfizer quickly shut down the lab which discovered the findings. There are always 2 sides to every story.

It cost a ton of money to research treatments and cures. They very well may have decided they aren't making any headway and to reallocate resources in other areas. Pfizer isn't the only player in town. Other drug companies and universities will continue to research cures.

Yes, it is a profit motive. That is the only way these companies can stay in business is to be profitable. You can start your own your own company and research medicines for free.

a reply to: Skywatcher2011

The Pharma industry always defends their high prices because of all of the costs of research and development and to keep the pipeline going. This is just sick, now they are showing their true colors, they never cared, and all it has ever been about is the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

It may also be that they were getting skunked in Alzhiemer's research too. If they were too far behind, then there was no profit incontinuing because other companies were far enough ahead to make it too much of a time and money sink to continue trying to catch up.

Could just be they weren't making headway. A quick google search shows that patients are being treated with more common drugs & if I'm not mistaken no one knows how to regrow neural pathways.

a reply to: Skywatcher2011

They must have found out that sugar is the main cause for these types of maladies (maybe).


Alzheimer's Disease Is Type 3 Diabetes–Evidence Reviewed
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Always remember folks:

Their is more money in treating the symptoms than creating the cure.

Yes I am a pessimist.

originally posted by: Bluntone22
a reply to: Skywatcher2011

Maybe they realized they spent a lot of money and got very little return on their investment.

Wonder if the plan on giving back funds from grants and monies given to them from charities and fund raisers?

originally posted by: JAGStorm
a reply to: Skywatcher2011

The Pharma industry always defends their high prices because of all of the costs of research and development and to keep the pipeline going. This is just sick, now they are showing their true colors, they never cared, and all it has ever been about is the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

You know what you call a company that doesn't make a profit?


Closed....

originally posted by: Bluntone22
a reply to: Skywatcher2011

Maybe they realized they spent a lot of money and got very little return on their investment.

Or they couldn't compete with knockoff brands?

originally posted by: JAGStorm
a reply to: Skywatcher2011

The Pharma industry always defends their high prices because of all of the costs of research and development and to keep the pipeline going. This is just sick, now they are showing their true colors, they never cared, and all it has ever been about is the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

It is always about the money. Why is this so surprising or even bad? Greed is what drives innovation.

originally posted by: Bluntone22

originally posted by: JAGStorm
a reply to: Skywatcher2011

The Pharma industry always defends their high prices because of all of the costs of research and development and to keep the pipeline going. This is just sick, now they are showing their true colors, they never cared, and all it has ever been about is the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

You know what you call a company that doesn't make a profit?


Closed....

A bad investment....therefore, make shareholders happy!

No money in the cure....Money is in the medicine.

a reply to: seasonal

I have my theories, but sugar isn't one of them (but I do think it is a main issue in cancer).

aluminum, exposure to chemicals something along those lines.

originally posted by: seasonal
a reply to: Skywatcher2011

They must have found out that sugar is the main cause for these types of maladies (maybe).


Alzheimer's Disease Is Type 3 Diabetes–Evidence Reviewed
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Whaaaaaaa? Type 3 Diabetes???? Aaaaand, sugar is also known to feed cancer....

So, lab created sugar is bad for you. Nuff said!

originally posted by: JAGStorm
a reply to: seasonal

I have my theories, but sugar isn't one of them (but I do think it is a main issue in cancer).

aluminum, exposure to chemicals something along those lines.

I'm waiting for a study to see any links between Alzheimer's and CTE. As in small amounts of brain injury over long periods of time causing Alzheimer's, like whiplash.

a reply to: NobodyToldMe

super interesting stuff, not a lot of research has been done on CTE yet but the symptoms sound oddly familiar

Memory loss
Confusion
Personality changes (including depression and suicidal thoughts)
Erratic behavior (including aggression)
Problems paying attention and organizing thoughts
Difficulty with balance and motor skills

On a side note, it is interesting to see that research is being done to connect the link of brain injury and crime/violence.

a reply to: JAGStorm

The problem I have with this is the idea that people want to not accept that sometimes people make bad decisions and do bad things because they decide to do it and not because something beyond their control made them do it.

It's called attempting to abandon personal responsibility.

originally posted by: JAGStorm
a reply to: NobodyToldMe

super interesting stuff, not a lot of research has been done on CTE yet but the symptoms sound oddly familiar

Memory loss
Confusion
Personality changes (including depression and suicidal thoughts)
Erratic behavior (including aggression)
Problems paying attention and organizing thoughts
Difficulty with balance and motor skills

On a side note, it is interesting to see that research is being done to connect the link of brain injury and crime/violence.

Unfortunately the number of violent ex-pros found to have CTE after death is making the case for a link. Although violence and football do seem to go hand in hand. Not saying ALL athletes are prone to violence BTW. But it helps.