The pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has revealed promising results from its ongoing mid-stage clinical trial for an experimental weight loss injection, marking a significant development in the competitive obesity treatment market.
Substantial Weight Loss Results
According to data released by the New York City-based drugmaker, adults with obesity who received the monthly GLP-1 receptor agonist known as "PF-08653944" achieved weight loss of up to 12.3 percent of their body weight after 28 weeks when compared to a placebo group. The company noted that no plateau in weight loss was observed by week 28, suggesting continued progress could be expected through the study's conclusion at week 64.
Positive Tolerability Profile
Side effects associated with the experimental drug were reported as predominantly mild or moderate, with only one instance of severe nausea or vomiting observed across all dose groups. Of the 108 patients participating in two separate arms of the trial, ten discontinued treatment due to adverse side effects.
Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer's Chief Executive Officer, expressed confidence in the drug's potential during an interview with CNBC, stating the data appeared "very good" and highlighting the monthly administration schedule as a competitive advantage.
Strategic Development Plans
Dr. Jim List, Pfizer's Chief Internal Medicine Officer, emphasized that the results from the Phase 2b VESPER-3 study reinforced the drug's potential as a monthly treatment option. Based on the demonstrated efficacy and tolerability, the company plans to include a higher 9.6-milligram monthly maintenance dose in upcoming Phase 3 trials.
Competitive Market Landscape
Pfizer faces significant challenges in entering the weight loss drug market, which has been dominated by competitors Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly over the past year. The company acquired developer Metsera following a bidding war with Novo Nordisk last year to secure the experimental treatment.
Other pharmaceutical companies are also advancing their own weight loss treatments. California-based Amgen is testing MariTide as a monthly injection with several Phase 3 trials underway, while market leaders Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are developing more effective shots alongside daily pill formulations.
Eli Lilly reported in December that its next-generation GLP-1 obesity drug retatrutide demonstrated superior weight loss results in late-stage trials, with patients losing an average of up to 71.2 pounds over 68 weeks using the highest dose of the once-weekly injection.
