Pfizer to rethink weight loss pill after high side effect rate

US drugmaker Pfizer on Friday mentioned it could finish a medical trial of its developmental weight reduction capsule after excessive aspect impact charges precipitated most members to cease utilizing it.

A twice-daily dosing of the extremely anticipated drug danuglipron was discovered to be efficient, leading to weight reductions of between 8-13 p.c at 32 weeks, in comparison with a placebo.

However practically three-quarters of trial members skilled nausea, nearly half had vomiting, and 1 / 4 had diarrhea.

Consequently, the discontinuation price was larger than 50 p.c, in comparison with 40 p.c on placebo.

“At the moment, twice-daily danuglipron formulation won’t advance into Part 3 research,” the US drugmaker mentioned in an announcement.

Pfizer shares have been buying and selling practically 5 p.c down after the morning announcement.

Danuglipron belongs to a rising subject of highly effective and profitable weight problems medicines generally known as GLP-1 agonists.

JPMorgan analysts have predicted annual gross sales for so-called GLP-1 medicine to achieve $140 billion by 2032, with the market dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

Pfizer will not abandon danuglipron totally however as a substitute give attention to enhancing it and altering the dosing to as soon as a day, the assertion added.

“We imagine an improved once-daily formulation of danuglipron may play an essential position within the weight problems therapy paradigm, and we are going to focus our efforts on gathering the information to know its potential profile,” mentioned Pfizer’s Mikael Dolsten.

In October, Pfizer reported a third-quarter lack of $2.4 billion, in contrast with $8.6 billion in earnings within the year-ago interval,following a pointy fall within the gross sales of its COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutic from pandemic peaks.

GLP-1 agonists have been discovered to chop the danger of heart problems related to weight problems—however in addition they heighten the danger of sure extreme gastrointestinal issues, research present.

Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy cuts the danger of coronary heart assaults and strokes by a fifth, in line with a latest examine.

However GLP-1 agonists have additionally been linked with an elevated threat of abdomen paralysis, pancreatitis and bowel obstruction.

© 2023 AFP