Pfizer Trims Guidance

"While we remain convinced that Exubera offers substantial benefit for diabetic patients worldwide, we are disappointed with the product's performance to date," Kindler said. Sales were so small that they weren't included in Pfizer's first-quarter press release.

"We remain very committed" to Exubera, said Ian Read, who runs Pfizer's worldwide pharmaceutical operations. Pfizer is expanding its education efforts to physicians, plans to initiate direct-to-consumer advertising in the summer and adding to its Exubera sales force.

Pfizer's most recent quarter included rising sales for the arthritis drug Celebrex, up 22% to $598 million, and for Lyrica, a treatment for nerve pain and epilepsy, up 106% to $395 million. Celebrex's growth, Pfizer said, "will depend in part on the impact" of television advertising and a "refocused" sales strategy.

Two new drugs, Sutent for kidney cancer, and Chantix, for smoking cessation, exceeded Pfizer's expectations with first-quarter sales, respectively, of $102 million and $162 million. The impotence drug Viagra gained 11% to $434 million; the schizophrenia drug Geodon advanced 18% to $216 million; and Caduet, which combines Lipitor and Norvasc, rose 89% to $146 million.

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