Pfizer’s Mixed Readout Places Doubt On Oral GLP-1 For Obesity

Twice-daily danuglipron reduced weight in a Phase IIb trial but with a poor side-effect profile and high discontinuation rates. Pfizer is working on a once-daily formulation it hopes will offer better tolerability.

Pfizer sign
Pfizer puts hopes for oral GLP-1 agonist on daily formulation work

The bad news clearly outweighed the good from Pfizer Inc.’s Phase IIb trial of its twice-daily, oral GLP-1 agonist danuglipron for obesity on 1 December, as the pharma said it would not advance the drug into Phase III in its current formulation. Pfizer still is holding out hope for a once-daily formulation it is developing, however, pointing to a pharmacokinetic data readout it expects during the first half of 2024.

More from Clinical Trials

AstraZeneca Oral PCSK9 Prospects Pumped After Phase IIb Win

 
• By 

The UK giant is forecasting peak sales of $5bn plus

Novo Scores Cardio Wins But Lilly Still Tipped To Take GLP-1 Crown

 

Novo’s semaglutide has shown its benefits as an injectable in patients with peripheral arterial disease and as an oral agent in cardiovascular outcomes, but stronger results are expected soon from Lilly’s tirzepatide.

Pipeline Watch: Seventeen Approvals And Ten Phase III Readouts

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

RemeGen Fast-Tracks Potential World-First BLys/APRIL Agent For gMG In Global Phase III Trial

 

RemeGen is planning to complete enrolment in the global Phase III RemeMG study with telitacicept in generalized myasthenia gravis by the end of 2025 or early 2026. The Chinese firm has already sidelined two other global Phase III trials with the molecule to prioritize the indication.

More from R&D