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As Pfizer talked up the strength of its pipeline Tuesday, it shared details for the first time about its plans in obesity and said it has a multipronged strategy to catch up to rivals in the field. Danuglipron remains the company’s main bet, CEO Albert Bourla said on the company’s earnings call Tuesday, adding that he believes Pfizer can bring the second oral drug to the market. But that’s not Pfizer’s only option. The company disclosed new details about the mechanism of action behind a second candidate, a GIP antagonist that’s in the same category as other promising pipeline drugs developed by rivals. Amgen, for example, is developing a bispecific molecule named MariTide that’s both a GIP antagonist and GLP-1 agonist. Pfizer’s GIP antagonist is set to enter a Phase 2 study before the end of the year. A once-daily oral GLP-1 is also continuing to progress through a Phase 1 study. Outgoing CSO Mikael Dolsten described the first versions of oral GLP-1s being on the lower end of a range of 10% to 20% reduction in body weight. “The upper range is where you can see oral combinations edge towards,” Dolsten said on Tuesday’s call. And Bourla teased that there could be more, saying Pfizer was “exploring several other opportunities right now.” There is no shortage of smaller obesity biotechs looking for drugmakers to work with — or sell to. Zealand Pharma has been on the hunt for a co-development and commercialization partner for its amylin analog drug, petrelintide . And Rivus Pharmaceuticals CEO Jayson Dallas told Endpoints News last month that he thinks the company’s lead asset, in the middle of two Phase 2 trials, will at some point “pique someone’s interest.” Pfizer’s obesity update may be welcome news for investors who felt the company should have been more aggressive, given its strength in primary care. That includes activist shareholder Starboard Value, which outlined in CEO Jeff Smith’s presentation last week how expectations for danuglipron have fallen since early 2023. “Peers have been successful at developing and commercializing GLP-1s whereas Pfizer has not,” the firm wrote in a presentation to investors this month, arguing that Pfizer’s performance needs to improve or the management needs to be held accountable by the board. Bourla remained encouraged Tuesday, underscoring that if danuglipron can get approved, then Pfizer would have a major product. “The market is very, very large,” Bourla said. “And there is a significant need for oral solutions. We know that. So there is no doubt that if successful, we will have our decent market share of oral.” But the product profile looks “suboptimal” as a once-daily pill, Leerink Partners senior analyst David Risinger said in an interview. “I don’t think that danuglipron is going to be their lead obesity drug in five to 10 years,” he said. Editor’s note: This story was updated to correct the second reference to Pfizer’s GIP antagonist.

NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J., Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Evolution Research Group (ERG) and Lotus, portfolio companies of Emerge HoldCo, LLC, in collaboration with their strategic partner Gonzaba Medical Group (GMG), have launched a groundbreaking retrospective study to examine the potential cognitive effects of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Study Overview: This retrospective observational cohort study aims to assess the cognitive impact of GLP-1 agonist therapies. GLP-1 agonists, which have proven highly effective in managing type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss, are now being studied for their potential neuroprotective effects. The study will leverage GMG's unique patient base, which reflects San Antonio's diverse population, including a high proportion of Hispanic individuals. This demographic focus adds to the importance of the study, as addressing health disparities in cognitive outcomes for populations with higher risk factors, such as Type 2 diabetes and obesity, is a pressing area of clinical research. De-identified data from GMG's extensive electronic medical records (EMRs) will be utilized to evaluate whether the initiation of GLP-1 therapies is associated with changes in cognitive function, as measured by standard cognitive assessment tools such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), compared to a control group with similar baseline characteristics but without GLP-1 exposure. Secondary objectives will explore the role of confounding variables, including comorbidities, age, and concomitant medications known to influence cognitive outcomes. Advanced Data Analysis: The study is being performed under the oversight of the company's Publication and Dissemination Group, formed to ensure the quality and rigor of scientific outputs of the company's subsidiaries. To ensure robust analysis, the study will employ both linear and logistic regression models to assess relationships between GLP-1 use and cognitive outcomes. Confounding factors such as age, gender, baseline cognitive function, and lifestyle characteristics will be adjusted using propensity score matching and multivariate regression models. Exploratory analyses will further investigate the potential effects of GLP-1 therapy duration on cognitive outcomes. Significance of the Study: This study represents a significant step towards better understanding the broader health benefits of GLP-1 agonists beyond their metabolic effects. Cognitive decline, a common concern for patients with diabetes and obesity, could potentially be mitigated through the neuroprotective properties of GLP-1 agonists. The study's findings could help pave the way for new therapeutic applications and contribute to the development of clinical guidelines aimed at preserving cognitive function in high-risk populations. ERG and Lotus, through their collaboration with Gonzaba Medical Group, are dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and improving patient outcomes. The results of this study are expected to be submitted for consideration at the 2025 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions. For further information or media inquiries, please contact: Clayton A. Dehn Chief Scientific Officer & Therapeutic Area Lead – Metabolism & Endocrinology Evolution Research Group Email: [email protected] Phone: 210-859-1918 About Evolution Research Group (ERG) and Lotus CRO: ERG and Lotus are subsidiaries of Emerge HoldCo, LLC, specializing in clinical research and development across multiple therapeutic areas, including metabolic, endocrine, and neurocognitive disorders. Both companies are committed to advancing scientific innovation through high-quality clinical research. Contact: Luke Kramer, [email protected] SOURCE Evolution Research Group, LLC WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED