Amgen's Weight-Loss Drug Shows Promise but Faces Investor Skepticism

Phase 2 trial results reveal 20% average weight loss over a year, but concerns over competitiveness and side effects weigh on market response.

Amgen's experimental obesity drug, MariTide, demonstrated an average 20% weight loss over 52 weeks in a Phase 2 trial, with no observed plateau in weight loss.
The drug also showed a 17% weight loss in participants with both obesity and Type 2 diabetes, who typically respond less favorably to such treatments.
MariTide's less frequent dosing schedule—monthly or even less often—aims to differentiate it from weekly injections like Wegovy and Zepbound.
Analysts expressed concerns about the drug's competitiveness, as other treatments have shown higher weight loss percentages in trials, and noted dropout rates due to side effects like nausea and vomiting.
Amgen plans to proceed with a Phase 3 trial, focusing on long-term weight loss durability and even less frequent dosing, but the drug's market release remains years away.