Pfizer developing new versions of biotech drugs: Report

Pfizer Inc is developing improved versions of top-selling biotechnology drugs, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Tuesday.

Citing Pfizer officials, WSJ said the company is in mid-stage development of three large molecules. It said two of them aim to improve on Rituxan, a drug co-marketed by Roche Holding AG and Biogen Idec Inc, while the third aims to reduce how often medicines like Enbrel, which Pfizer co-markets with Amgen Inc, need to be injected.

Each of the compounds is years away from coming onto the market, the paper said.

Pfizer officials could not immediately be reached for comment.