Pfizer, a pharmaceutical heavyweight, has halted the development of its once-daily oral obesity drug, danuglipron, following a patient's potential drug-induced liver injury during a clinical trial. According to Click 2 Houston, the participant's liver function returned to normal after discontinuing the medication. This was not the first setback for danuglipron, as Pfizer previously dropped a twice-daily version in late 2023 due to patient intolerance in a clinical study.
The pharmaceutical industry, particularly in obesity treatments, is a lucrative market with drugs like Eli Lilly’s Zepbound earning nearly $5 billion in 2024. Pfizer's move comes amid competitive pressure, as oral treatments are seen as desirable alternatives to injectable offerings, which, although popular, are sometimes difficult for patients due to issues like injection discomfort and coverage inconsistencies. As per CNBC, the need for an easier-to-take pill is clear, with companies like Eli Lilly expecting to collect data from studies on their own oral treatment formulations this year.
"While we are disappointed to discontinue the development of danuglipron, we remain committed to evaluating and advancing promising programs in an effort to bring innovative new medicines to patients," Pfizer’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Chris Boshoff told CNBC. Despite the discontinuation of danuglipron, Pfizer is actively working on other potential obesity treatments, including an experimental drug targeting a different gut hormone called GIPR and an additional oral GLP-1 in phase one trials.
The race to lead the GLP-1 market—expected to be worth over $150 billion by the early 2030s—is fierce. Despite some setbacks, Pfizer still has potential in obesity treatment with early-stage drugs in development, as per CNBC. After an announcement on Monday, Pfizer’s stock saw a small rise, showing cautious optimism from investors. The company is now focusing on cancer drugs and other growth areas as it moves away from the declining demand for COVID treatments.
