Pharmaceutical Executive-12-06-2006

Pfizer, Novartis--and even Merck--are putting the past behind them, and moving forward with COX-2 innovation.

Possible sale of medical nutrition unit would not mark change in business model for the diversified drug maker.

Pfizer's torcetrapib blow shifts cost-cutting measures into overdrive, causing all of industry to reevaluate staffing, marketing spend, and the viability of a potential cardiovascular breakthrough.