By Tess Stynes

Pfizer Inc. (PFE) said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its Lyrica drug for nerve pain for use by some spinal-cord-injury patients.

The pharmaceutical giant said about 40% of 270,000 patients in the U.S. with spinal cord injuries suffer from neuropathic pain, which can hinder rehabilitation efforts.

"Until now, no FDA approved treatment options were available in the U.S. for people with neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury, a condition which can be extremely disabling," said Steven J. Romano, head of the medicines development group at Pfizer's Global Primary Care Business Unit.

In 12-week and 16-week studies, Lyrica was shown to significantly reduce nerve pain compared to a placebo. In addition, more patients taking Lyrica saw pain reduced by 30% and 50% , respectively, than those that received a placebo.

In addition to efforts to refill product pipelines, pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer have been looking to expand uses of current drugs in an effort to head off the loss of patents on key drugs.

Pfizer, which has posted weaker results lately amid the loss of U.S. market exclusivity for its anticholesterol drug Lipitor, has been studying the potential use of Lyrica to treat other diseases.

Shares closed Wednesday at $22.67 and were inactive premarket.

Write to Tess Stynes at Tess.Stynes@dowjones.com

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FDA Approves Pfizer's Lyrica for Some Spinal Cord Injury Patients

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