MariTide nausea

Last week, Amgen fell 5% after publishing data on a phase 2 study of MariTide, its weight-loss drug. Over a year, patients lost on average 20% of their weight, slightly quicker than competitors. There was a concern that around 50% of patients reported nausea after the first dose, with 20% vomiting. After the first dose, the nausea mostly subsides.

It is worth noting that patients also experience nausea after the first dose with Wegovy (44%) and Zepbound (29%).

Unlike its competitors, which are injected weekly, MariTide is a monthly injection. This is a huge benefit, particularly for people who don't like needles. Amgen is starting a trial to see if quarterly injections are also effective. Importantly, there was no plateau in weight loss among MariTide recipients over the one-year trial.

MariTide still needs to complete phase 3 trials before it is available to the public, expected around 2027. With more drug trials, we will get a better understanding of how the drug works. For now, it looks like it will be competitive in a fast-growing industry.