In its presentation at ObesityWeek 2024 meeting in Texas, the multinational drug company AstraZeneca (AZN, Financial) revealed positive initial clinical trial results for its obesity drug candidate the oral GLP-1 pill AZD5004 and a selective amylin agonist AZD6234. They also try to make a combination drug experiment to offer even more convenient treatment. Here's the breakdown of the experimental obesity pills:
AZD5004
- Drug Profile: AZD5004 is an oral GLP-1 receptor blocker and is licensed in 2023 from Shanghai-based Eccogene. The first phase of clinical trials showed that AZD5004 is effective for losing weight in obese patients in type 2 diabetes with little to no side effects. This is a game changer that differs it from other drugs that commonly cannot be administered orally.
- Safety: The early Phase I trial showed safety under 50 mg dose. More than 50 mg gastrointestinal side effects appear especially in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Efficacy: The patients with type 2 diabetes that took the AZD5004 pill experienced 5.8% weight loss in more than four weeks and improved fasting plasma glucose.
- Market Position: AZD5004 is positioned for type 2 diabetes obese patients. It is different from other GLP-1 therapies in terms of tolerability, weight loss and simplicity in manufacturing process.
- Development & Market Strategy: The plan is to proceed to the Phase 2b trials and when this pill is approved the company expects to get more than $800 million sales by 2032 from this AZD5004 obesity pill.
AZD6234
- Drug Profile: AZD6234 is a long-acting amylin receptor agonist. The drug is to regulate hunger, delay gastric effect during empty stomach condition and control the glucose release.
- Safety: Very well tolerated by the patients in the Phase I trial with no side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite.
- Efficacy: AZD6234 showed a statistically significant reduction in body weight compared to placebo.
- Market Position: AZD6234 is positioned for patients that are intolerant to obesity treatments using GLP-1.
- Development & Market Strategy: The drug is advanced into Phase 2 and 2b trials and the experiment will continue to combine AZD6234 with other compounds like a combination of GLP-1/glucagon that will make the treatment only done once in a week that is much more convenient for patients.
Obesity is more common now than in the past, reflecting 39% of the global population. A safe and effective obesity pill will present a convenient way to weight loss than other therapy done through injection.
AstraZeneca tries to provide non-invasive obesity treatment for those who struggle with diet and exercise and therefore may stand as a significant player in the competitive weight loss treatment market.
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