Pfizer, a leading pharmaceutical company, has unveiled promising results from a mid-stage trial of its oral diabetes drug, danuglipron. The study suggests that the drug’s weight loss effects could rival Novo Nordisk’s highly sought-after Ozempic. Over 400 adults with Type 2 diabetes participated in the trial, taking either Pfizer’s danuglipron twice a day or a placebo pill for approximately four months.
According to the findings published in JAMA Network on Monday, every dose of danuglipron significantly reduced patients’ blood sugar levels compared to the placebo at the 16-week mark. Furthermore, the highest doses of the pill, either 120 milligrams or 80 milligrams, demonstrated a significant reduction in body weight for patients at week 16.
In fact, individuals who took the 120-milligram dose of the drug twice a day for 16 weeks experienced an average weight loss of approximately 10 pounds, according to the study. These results align with the observations made during trials of Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, marketed under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy for diabetes and chronic weight management, respectively.
Dr. Marc Siegel, a medical contributor to Fox News, stated that Pfizer’s oral pill works in the same way as the injection-based Ozempic. He emphasized the similarity in results between the two drugs, adding that Pfizer’s candidate may have an advantage due to its oral form. Unlike Ozempic and Wegovy, which require injection administration, Pfizer’s pill offers a more convenient method of consumption and can be taken at any time without the need for an empty stomach.
Dr. Siegel predicts that Pfizer’s oral candidate will be a “huge, huge drug,” reflecting the growing demand for weight loss treatments. The success of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic, both variants of semaglutide, sparked increased investment in weight loss drugs. These medications gained popularity when celebrities and high-profile figures began endorsing them for their weight loss effects.
Eli Lilly and Co. recently announced the potential approval of tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro, as another weight loss medication. In a late-stage study, the drug aided individuals with Type 2 diabetes who were overweight or obese in losing up to 15.7% of their body weight, equivalent to about 34 pounds, over a period of approximately 17 months.
Pfizer’s danuglipron, Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide variants, and Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide represent significant advancements in the field of weight loss drugs. If approved, these medications have the potential to provide effective solutions for individuals struggling with weight-related conditions.
Pfizer’s oral diabetes drug, danuglipron, has demonstrated promising results in terms of weight loss. Comparable to Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, this oral medication could revolutionize the weight loss market. The convenience of a pill form offers a significant advantage over injection-based alternatives. With the landscape of weight loss drugs rapidly evolving, individuals may soon have more effective options available to them for managing their weight and associated health conditions.