Here are the **highlights from Day 2 of the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference (San Francisco) specifically related to obesity, weight-gain therapies, and related drug developments
Fierce Pharma
Pharmaceutical Technology
Reuters
Fierce Biotech
Pharmaceutical Technology
🧪 New & Emerging Therapies
Amgen’s MariTide weight-loss program
Amgen touted positive data on its experimental obesity drug MariTide, showing the therapy helped trial participants maintain significant weight loss over extended dosing. The drug distinguishes itself with monthly or quarterly dosing versus weekly injections used by current GLP-1 therapies. (Reuters)
Earlier Phase 2 results suggest up to ~20 % weight loss with MariTide, although GI side effects were common — prompting a future strategy of gradual dose escalation to improve tolerability. (Reuters)
Amgen also highlighted potential for weight-loss + T2D benefit with its MariTide program, claiming a differentiated profile from approved incretins and emphasizing its expanded therapeutic potential. (Pharmaceutical Technology)
💊 Competitive Strategic Positioning
Novo Nordisk remains active
Novo executives emphasized evolving obesity strategy and innovation, including pipeline diversification beyond just injectables. They reiterated efforts to secure and expand obesity assets, including work on next-generation combinations (e.g., GLP-1 + amylin or triple agonists). (Fierce Biotech)
They also spoke to broader pipeline rationalization and a renewed focus on metabolic disease R&D, signaling continuous investment in obesity drugs. (Fierce Biotech)
Pfizer’s obesity ambitions
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla spoke on the obesity drugs market’s growth potential — comparing it to Viagra’s consumer adoption and forecasting huge market opportunity (>$150 billion by 2030). They plan to lean on Metsera-acquired assets and initiate multiple Phase 3 studies this year as part of a broader obesity strategy. (Reuters)
📈 Market & Competitive Context
Following a Day 2 presentation, industry commentators noted Novo Nordisk’s shift toward mastering direct-to-patient (DTP) sales in obesity, acknowledging competitive pressure — especially in the wake of new entrants and existing players expanding strategies. (Fierce Pharma)
✅ Summary:
Day 2 continued to amplify the obesity drug competition story: Amgen’s MariTide showed encouraging maintenance/extended dosing data; Novo reaffirmed its pipeline breadth and strategy; Pfizer underscored massive market opportunity tied to its obesity assets; and broader commentary highlighted shifting commercial approaches in the GLP-1 era and beyond. (Fierce Pharma)