Wyeth Research (formerly Wyeth-Ayerst Research) is developing the sirolimus (rapamycin) analog CCI-779 as a potential treatment for various cancers [320924]. By November 2001, phase III trials had been initiated [428972], [429576]. In October 2001, Raymond James predicted filing in 2003, with a potential launch in 2005 [426718]. In March 2002, CCI-779, was designated for fast-track development by the FDA for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma after failure of initial therapy [442535]; at this time phase III trials for renal cell carcinoma and phase II trials for various solid tumors were ongoing [444030]. In March 2002, Wyeth revealed that filing was anticipated for 2004/2005 [443491]. In June and August 2001, Lehman Brothers predicted sales of US $40 million ($20 million in the US) in 2003, rising to US $75 million ($38 million in the US) in 2004 [418901], [420809]. In October 2001, analysts at Raymond James expected potential sales of the product at US $250 million [426718]. In May 2002, a patent (WO-00240000) was published claiming CCI-779 to be useful for the treatment of cancers of various origins, including renal, breast, cervical, uterine, head and neck, lung, prostate, pancreatic, ovarian, colon, lymphoma and melanoma.
