Top-line Phase IIb results for Pfizer's danuglipron in obesity disappoint

US pharma giant Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) saw its shares price fall 6.9% to $28.29 after it revealed mixed, but ultimately disappointing, clinical results for its obesity candidate danuglipron.

Pfizer said that the Phase IIb clinical trial ( NCT04707313) investigating its oral Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) candidate, danuglipron (PF-06882961), in adults with obesity and without type 2 diabetes, met its primary endpoint demonstrating statistically-significant change in body weight from baseline.

Maximum placebo-adjusted weight loss for danuglipron BID weight loss at 26 weeks was 9.5% versus Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) orforglipron (cross-trial) of 10.6% and at 32 weeks was 13% versus Lilly’s orforglipron (cross-trial) of 11%-12%. High rates of GI adverse events were observed at the top doses: up to 73% nausea, 47% vomiting, and 25% diarrhea.