Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) in its Q2 2026 quarterly clearout discontinued clinical development of MET-224o, an oral fully-biased ultra-long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist in Phase 1 for chronic weight management that came over in the $10 billion Metsera acquisition completed November 2025. MET-224o was developed by D&D Pharmatech (KOSDAQ: 259540) using its ORALINK oral peptide delivery platform. D&D Pharmatech stated the discontinuation was a strategic decision by Pfizer to focus on differentiated products as a late entrant in the oral obesity market rather than a technical issue with the platform. With MET-224o out, Pfizer's oral obesity pipeline collapses to a single asset: PF-08642534 (Pfizer's name for YP05002). The pruning continues Pfizer's pattern of aggressive Metsera-portfolio triage (a GIPR prospect was also dropped in the same clearout) and narrows an already-crowded oral GLP-1 field where Lilly's Foundayo (orforglipron) and Novo's Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide 25/50 mg) are already commercial.
Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) followed its Tuesday August 4, 2026 Q2 earnings beat with the Wednesday August 5 disclosure that the company is ending development of AMG 513, an early-stage obesity candidate. The discontinuation allows MariTide (maridebart cafraglutide, the monthly-injectable antibody-peptide conjugate targeting GLP-1 and GIP receptors) to remain the sole obesity focus in the Amgen pipeline as it advances through the Phase 3 MARITIME program (MARITIME-1 obesity, MARITIME-CV cardiovascular outcomes, MARITIME-HF heart failure). Amgen's Q2 2026 revenue reached $10.05 billion (+10% YoY) with adjusted EPS of $6.29 (+4% YoY, beating the $5.62 consensus). Full-year 2026 guidance was raised to $38.2-39.4 billion revenue (midpoint $38.8 billion versus $37.7 billion consensus) with adjusted EPS guidance of $22.30-23.50. Management emphasized the potential of upcoming data readouts for MariTide, Olpasiran (Lp(a)-lowering siRNA), and Xaluritamig (prostate cancer BiTE) to drive future growth beyond the established Repatha (PCSK9), EVENITY (osteoporosis), TEZSPIRE (severe asthma), and UPLIZNA (neuromyelitis optica) franchises. AMG 513 mechanism and stage details were not extensively disclosed, but the discontinuation signals disciplined pipeline management focused on the higher-conviction MariTide bet.
Sanofi (NASDAQ: SNY) reported Q2 2026 earnings Thursday July 30, 2026 with net sales of €11,597 million (+17.8% at constant exchange rates, +16.0% at actual rates) and business EPS of €2.09 (+33.3% CER), both beating consensus. Growth drivers: Dupixent (dupilumab, IL-4/IL-13 receptor blocking antibody co-marketed with Regeneron) reached Q2 sales of €5,154 million (+37.6% CER); new pharma launches reached €1,305 million (+48.3% CER). Sanofi raised full-year 2026 guidance: sales now expected to grow approximately 10% at CER, with business EPS at CER expected to grow slightly faster than sales. Three pipeline discontinuations disclosed with the earnings release: amlitelimab (OX40-ligand monoclonal antibody previously advanced in atopic dermatitis after acquisition from Kymab; the intangible asset was impaired by €952 million with an announced decision that the drug would not represent a substantial improvement to the standard of care), itepekimab (IL-33 antibody previously advanced in COPD, chronic urticaria, and other Type 2 inflammation indications), and balinatunfib. Stock reaction was mixed with Sanofi shares slipping in premarket trading on the pipeline setbacks despite the earnings beat.