Pfizer Halts Development of Oral Weight-Loss Pill After Liver Injury

The decision follows a trial participant's liver injury and reflects ongoing safety challenges in the competitive obesity drug market.

Pfizer announced it will discontinue development of its experimental oral weight-loss drug, danuglipron, after a trial participant experienced a potential drug-induced liver injury.
The liver injury resolved after the participant stopped taking the drug, but the incident prompted a comprehensive review of clinical data and regulatory input.
Danuglipron, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, was Pfizer's attempt to compete in the growing obesity drug market dominated by injectable treatments from rivals Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
This marks the second discontinuation of danuglipron formulations, following the earlier abandonment of a twice-daily version in 2023 due to high dropout rates and side effects.
Pfizer will redirect its efforts toward other obesity treatments, including an oral GIPR antagonist currently in development.