Pfizer Discontinues Heart Disease Research

The New York-based pharmaceutical company Pfizer says it has discontinued research on its heart disease drug, torcetrapib.

The company revealed its plans to cease research on torcetrapib Saturday, citing concerns that the drug may have been linked to heart problems and deaths during preliminary research, The New York Times reported.

The drug had been heralded by the company as a breakthrough for its reported ability to raise levels of good cholesterol and to reduce bad cholesterol when combined with various other drugs.

Pfizer’s decision to discontinue the related research could prove devastating for the world’s largest drug company, as it marks yet another unsuccessful production endeavor and the loss of billions of dollars in sales for the company.

The Times said prior to Saturday’s announcement, Pfizer has faced major difficulties in the creation of new drugs and is eyeing a major financial loss when its Lipitor drug loses patent protection in 2010.