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Corticosteroids (corticosteroids)
Corticosteroids are a broad class of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant medications that mimic cortisol, a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands. They work by binding to glucocorticoid receptors in the cytoplasm, translocating to the nucleus, and modulating gene expression to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduce immune cell activation, and decrease vascular permeability. While Pfizer does not manufacture a branded corticosteroid product currently in active development, corticosteroids remain foundational therapies across multiple therapeutic areas including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, COPD, allergic rhinitis, and transplant rejection prophylaxis, as evidenced by 50 active clinical trials spanning Phase 1–4 and observational studies. The class demonstrates clinical differentiation through formulation innovations (inhaled, topical, injectable) and combination therapies that optimize efficacy while minimizing systemic exposure and adverse effects. Corticosteroids represent a multi-billion-dollar global market with generic competition across most indications; clinical development continues to focus on steroid-sparing strategies and novel delivery mechanisms. The pipeline reflects integration of corticosteroids as adjunctive or backbone therapy in modern immunology and respiratory medicine rather than standalone development.
At a glance
| Generic name | corticosteroids |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Pfizer Inc. |
| Therapeutic area | Other |
| Phase | discontinued |
Approved indications
Common side effects
Key clinical trials
- VERDICT: In actiVE Ulcerative Colitis, a RanDomIzed Controlled Trial for Determination of the Optimal Treatment Target (Phase 4)
- Effect of Bevacizumab on Radiation-induced Brain Necrosis in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (Phase 2)
- Erdosteine Effect on Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Response and Immune Modulation in Patients With COPD. A Single Center, Open Label, Double Arm, Controlled, 4-week, Explorative, ex Vivo Study." (NA)
- An Open Label Phase II Study of Aprepitant for Multi-day Moderately-high to Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy Regimens (Phase 2)
- Comparison Of Two Corticosteroid Dosing Regimens For Prevention Of Corneal Transplant Rejection Episodes After Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (Phase 2)
- De Novo Everolimus Versus Tacrolimus in Combination With Mofetil Mycophenolate and Low Dose Corticosteroids to Reduce Tacrolimus Induced Nephrotoxicity in Liver Transplantation: a Prospective, Multice (Phase 3)
- Characterization of the Strasbourg Cohort of Patients With Adrenal Cortex Carcinoma (N/A)
- Optimal Anesthetic for Corticosteroid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis. (Phase 1)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Corticosteroids CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Corticosteroids updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Pfizer Inc. portfolio CI