Pfizer on Monday said it would stop developing its experimental obesity and diabetes pill, lotiglipron, due to elevated liver enzymes in patients who took the drug once a day in mid-stage clinical studies.
New York-based Pfizer said it will instead focus on its other oral obesity drug, danuglipron, which is in a fully enrolled phase two clinical trial.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has said that an obesity pill could eventually generate $10 billion each year for the company.
The new class of obesity drugs is piquing public interest and causing a weight loss industry gold rush.
Analysts believe Eli Lilly’s pill has an edge over Pfizer’s danuglipron.
Persons:
William Sessa, Albert Bourla, Eli Lilly, Eli Lilly’s, danuglipron, Wells, Mohit Bansal, orforglipron, Bansal
Organizations:
Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, National Institutes of Health
Locations:
New York, danuglipron