Pfizer has announced promising results from a mid-stage clinical trial for its experimental weight loss drug, PF-08653944. The monthly injection, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, helped adults with obesity lose up to 12.3 percent of their body weight over 28 weeks, compared to a placebo.
The New York-based pharmaceutical company stated that weight loss showed no sign of plateauing by week 28, suggesting continued reduction through the study's end at 64 weeks. Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla described the data as “very good,” highlighting the drug's competitive profile in tolerability and efficacy as a monthly product.
Side effects were predominantly mild or moderate, with no more than one instance of severe nausea or vomiting in any dose group. However, 10 out of 108 patients discontinued treatment due to adverse effects. Dr. Jim List, Pfizer's Chief Internal Medicine Officer, expressed confidence in the drug's potential, noting plans to include a higher 9.6-milligram monthly maintenance dose in Phase 3 trials.
The drug was developed by Metsera, which Pfizer acquired last year after a bidding war with Novo Nordisk. Pfizer faces stiff competition in the weight loss market from companies like Amgen, Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk, all developing their own advanced treatments.
