On Monday, Pfizer announced that it has ceased developing the experimental weight-loss tablet danuglipron because a study participant had possible drug-induced liver damage that went away once the medicine was stopped.
After abandoning the development of a twice-daily version of the oral medication in late 2023 because the majority of patients left a mid-stage trial due to frequent episodes of nausea and vomiting, among other side effects, the business had been testing several dosages of a once-daily version.
Weight-loss drug market
In the profitable weight-loss medication industry, which is presently controlled by weekly injections of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, Pfizer’s danuglipron might have been a practical substitute. Pharmaceutical businesses and investors have shown a great deal of interest in this sector, which is predicted to generate $150 billion in sales over the next several years.
The enormous success of injectable medications that target the intestinal hormone GLP-1 has prompted several companies to produce weight-loss pills. The Phase 3 trial results for Lilly’s medication orforglipron should be released any day now.
Since all of Pfizer’s other obesity medications are still in the early phases of clinical testing, the company is beginning again with the discontinuance of its GLP-1 tablet, according to analyst Evan Seigerman of BMO Capital Markets. Pfizer could potentially look for a collaboration or deal in the near future, according to Seigerman.
You may also Like
The announcement also caused shares of smaller weight-loss drug makers, such Viking Therapeutics and Structure Therapeutics, to increase by 8% to 10%. Lilly’s stock increased 2.6%, while Novo Nordisk’s shares, which are traded in Copenhagen, increased by more than 3%. Pfizer’s stock increased by almost 1%, which was less than the 1.5% increase in the S&P 500 index as a whole.
Pfizer’s weight-loss pill danuglipron abandoned after liver injury report
According to Pfizer, once-daily danuglipron dose-optimization studies revealed that the overall frequency of liver enzyme increases among 1,400 trial participants was comparable to that of approved medications in the class. However, one patient experienced liver damage.Pfizer announced that it has chosen to stop researching danuglipron after reviewing all available data, including all clinical data produced thus far and recent feedback from regulators.
The development of its experimental oral medication that targets a separate hormone, GIPR, and other previous obesity program research will continue.According to Pfizer, data from the danuglipron trial program will either be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal or presented at a future scientific forum.