Pfizer cancels obesity drug trial

Pfizer discontinued its research into the obesity drug candidate lotiglipron after phase 1 and 2 studies found elevated transaminases, or liver enzymes, in participants, the drugmaker said June 26. 

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Lotiglipron is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that was tested against semaglutide, the active ingredient of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy. Among the study participants who experienced elevated liver enzymes, none saw related side effects, “there was no evidence of liver failure and none needed treatment,” Pfizer said in a news release.

Transaminitis is not a disease but can be a clue other issues — such as alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease — exist. 

The company said it will continue researching danuglipron, another GLP-1 receptor agonist that is in a phase 2 study for obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. No transaminase events have been reported in this drug’s trials, the release said.

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