Asia Tech Wire (Sep 26) -- Pfizer Inc. announced Wednesday that it will now voluntarily withdraw all lots of OXBRYTA ® (voxelotor) in all markets where it is approved for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD).

In addition, Pfizer will terminate all ongoing clinical trials and expanded access programs for voxelotor worldwide.

Pfizer's decision was based on the totality of clinical data that now indicates the overall benefits of OXBRYTA no longer outweigh the risks in the approved patient population with sickle cell disease.

Pfizer has notified regulators of these findings and has decided to voluntarily withdraw OXBRYTA from the market and discontinue sales and clinical studies while it further reviews the available data and investigates these findings.