Pfizer’s Embattled Obesity Program Loses Another GLP-1 Drug Due to Data and Competition Issues

Pfizer has discontinued its last remaining GLP-1 agonist for obesity, PF-06954522, citing poor clinical data and intense market competition, not safety issues1.

Previously, Pfizer halted development of two other oral GLP-1 candidates:
lotiglipron in 2023 after detecting elevated liver enzymes, and danuglipron in 2024 after a patient experienced potential drug-induced liver injury in a phase 1 trial1345.

These discontinuations represent significant setbacks for Pfizer's obesity drug pipeline, which now lacks any active GLP-1 agonists14.

The pharmaceutical obesity market is extremely competitive, with companies like Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, Structure Therapeutics, and Viking Therapeutics making progress with fewer reported safety issues3.

Pfizer's decision to end development of PF-06954522 was not due to safety concerns within that asset's phase 1 program, but rather based on a strategic review of the data and landscape1.

With these setbacks, Pfizer's obesity program is effectively reset, and their clinical-stage development is now focused on other asset classes beyond GLP-1 agonists4.

Sources:

1. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/pfizers-embattled-obesity-program-loses-another-glp-1-drug

3. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/pfizer-axes-oral-glp-1-asset-over-liver-injury-blowing-hole-obesity-plan

4. https://www.biospace.com/drug-development/pfizer-drops-lead-obesity-asset-after-liver-safety-concerns-overall-review

5. https://www.clinicaltrialsarena.com/news/pfizer-drops-obesity-pill-liver-issue/