Pfizer Halts Development of Danuglipron After Safety Concerns

In a significant development, Pfizer Inc. has announced the discontinuation of its daily pill, danuglipron, aimed at chronic weight management. This decision comes after a trial participant experienced drug-induced liver injury, marking a setback in the search for effective obesity treatments.

Details of the Incident: During one of the dose-optimization studies, a participant showed elevated liver enzymes, a sign of liver injury, though no liver-related symptoms were reported. Fortunately, the enzymes normalized after the cessation of the pill intake.

Pfizer's Continued Commitment to Obesity Research

Despite this hurdle, Pfizer remains dedicated to addressing the global challenge of obesity. "Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including obesity, represent critical areas of unmet medical need," stated Chris Boshoff, Pfizer's Chief Scientific Officer and President of R&D. The company plans to pivot its focus towards other promising candidates, such as its oral GIPR antagonist, to bridge the gap in patient care.