PFIZER BREAST-CANCER DRUG WINS EU GREEN LIGHT

Pfizer Inc.'s (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) drug Aromasin has been approved in Europe for the treatment of early breast cancer in post-menopausal women following surgery, the world's biggest drug maker said on Tuesday. Aromasin, whose chemical name is exemestane, is the latest in a new class of drugs, called aromatase inhibitors, that fight breast cancer by cutting the body's production of oestrogen. The first such medicine to become available for early treatment in Europe was AstraZeneca Plc's (AZN.L: Quote, Profile, Research) Arimidex, while Novartis AG (NOVN.VX: Quote, Profile, Research) hopes to win a green light for its product Femara in the first half of next year.

Reuters (http://today.reuters.com/business/newsArticle.aspx?type=health&storyID=nL13711326)