REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 13 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Pfizer's (PFE.N) drug to treat adults with an inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis, the company said on Friday. The decision was based on data from a late-stage study that showed a reduction in disease symptoms for some patients who took the drug, when compared with the placebo. Globally, the market for inflammatory bowel diseases is about $20 billion, making it a lucrative target for drugmakers. Analysts last year estimated that peak sales for the Pfizer drug could top $3 billion a year. Reporting by Khushi Mandowara in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Devika SyamnathOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Johanna Geron, Velsipity, Bristol Myers, Khushi, Arun Koyyur Organizations: Pfizer, REUTERS, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Bristol, drugmakers, Thomson Locations: Puurs, Belgium, U.S, United States, Bengaluru