Pfzier said it has discontinued development of experimental weight-loss pill danuglipron after a trial patient experienced a possible drug-induced liver injury that ended once the person stopped taking the treatment.
The company was in early-stage testing of a once-a-day version of the oral drug. Earlier in 2023, the company was trying a twice-daily version of the drug but scrapped it after patients dropped mid-trial due to side-effecs like frequent episodes of nausea and vomiting.
Also Read | Report says fatty liver, obesity on rise in India
A company spokeswoman said the decision announced Monday meant Pfizer would also stop testing danuglipron in combination with other drugs to treat obesity. It will, however, continue development of its experimental oral drug targeting a different hormone, GIPR and other earlier obesity program research.
Obesity treatments have become one of the more promising and lucrative sectors of drug development for pharmaceutical companies. Currently, Novo Nordisk’s (NOVOb.CO) Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s (LLY.N) Zepbound dominate the market with their weekly injectable drugs. Lilly is expected to announce Phase 3 trial results for its pill orforglipron any day now.
