United States: Pfizer has halted the development of its once-daily oral obesity drug, danuglipron, after a clinical trial participant developed liver injury indicators. The adverse effects resolved once the patient discontinued the medication, according to the Associated Press.
Early Trial Cut Short
The company had been conducting early-stage testing to determine the optimal dosage for danuglipron. Pfizer intended to move forward with final-stage trials and FDA approval but has since canceled all research involving the drug—including any combination studies for obesity treatment.
Shifting Focus in a Competitive Market
Despite this setback, Pfizer continues to pursue other early-stage obesity treatments. The obesity drug market remains a hotbed of innovation, with injectable drugs like Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy bringing in billions in revenue—Zepbound alone made $5 billion in 2024.
Demand Grows for Oral Alternatives
Many patients dislike needle-based therapies since it is a main disadvantage of existing injectable drugs. Multiple pharmaceutical organizations currently compete to create suitable oral formulations for their products. The pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly plans to publish research related to their oral obesity medication during the upcoming year.
Access Still a Barrier
Despite widespread interest, many patients face challenges accessing these medications due to insurance limitations and high out-of-pocket costs—often hundreds of dollars monthly—even after manufacturers introduced price reductions, as reported by HealthDay.
Previous Trial Also Discontinued
This is not Pfizer’s first danuglipron trial to end prematurely. The company had already terminated trials of the twice-daily version in late 2023 after high dropout rates among participants.