Celebrex Label Extended for New Use in Europe

New York (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Celebrex to be Available in Europe for the Treatment of
Ankylosing Spondylitis, a Debilitating Form of Arthritis

Pfizer Inc announced today that 17 European countries agreed to
extend the Celebrex (celecoxib capsules) label to include symptomatic
relief in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (in adults), a form
of arthritis that affects the spine. Once each country updates its
labeling, Celebrex will be the first oral selective COX-2 inhibitor
available in Europe to treat this chronic and debilitating condition.

"Ankylosing Spondylitis is a very painful condition, often
affecting young adults in the prime of their most productive years,
said Rory O'Connor VP Medical & Regulatory Affairs, Europe. "Celebrex
now offers an effective and well-tolerated treatment, adding to
physician and patient choice in managing this devastating disease."

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that primarily
affects the spine, causing inflammation that can lead to intense pain
and stiffness in the shoulders, knees, hips, ribs and feet. In severe
cases, it can cause the spine to fuse together. With its early onset
and progressively damaging effects on the joints, ankylosing
spondylitis poses a significant burden on patients and their
families, as well as payers and healthcare budgets. Ankylosing
spondylitis affects up to 0.9% of Europeans with wide geographic
variation and differences among ethnic groups.

Sweden acted as the European Union reference member state in the
Mutual Recognition regulatory process that agreed to ankylosing
spondylitis as a new indication for Celebrex. Each of the 17
countries will now individually update the license for Celebrex to
include the new labeling, following applicable local procedures. In
the United States, Celebrex was granted Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) approval for the relief of signs and symptoms of ankylosing
spondylitis in July 2005.

Web site: http://www.pfizer.com

ots Originaltext: Pfizer Inc.
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

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