Pfizer's Weight Loss Pill Plans Derailed by Adverse Effects and Rival Competition

Pfizer has announced that it will discontinue the development of the twice-daily version of its experimental weight loss pill due to high rates of adverse side effects observed in a mid-stage clinical study. The drug showed promising results in terms of weight loss, but patients had difficulty tolerating the medication, with gastrointestinal issues being the most common side effect. Pfizer still plans to release phase two trial data on a once-a-day version of the drug in 2024, which will determine whether it will proceed to phase three studies. This setback puts Pfizer further behind competitors in the weight loss drug market, such as Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.