Amgen CEO Highlights Weight Loss Drug’s Potential to Improve Patient Adherence

Amgen CEO Bob Bradway underscored the importance of patient persistence in managing obesity during a recent interview, identifying his company’s investigational weight loss therapy as a potential solution. The drug, known internally as AMG 133, is designed to target the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor pathway, similar to approved therapies but with a longer half-life intended to reduce dosing frequency. Early phase 2 trial data revealed an average weight loss of 18.7% over 48 weeks in participants with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, with 76% maintaining at least 10% weight reduction at the study’s endpoint. Bradway noted that patient dropout rates in existing weight management programs often exceed 50% within the first year, citing adherence as a systemic issue across chronic conditions. He argued that AMG 133’s extended dosing interval—once every four weeks—could significantly improve long-term engagement. The company plans to submit a biologics license application to the U.S. FDA by mid-2027, pending positive outcomes from ongoing phase 3 trials involving over 4,500 patients across North America and Europe. Market analysts are monitoring the drug’s development closely, particularly as Amgen seeks to expand beyond its established oncology and cardiovascular franchises. The potential launch could position the company as a key player in the global weight management market, projected to reach $150 billion by 2030. Investors reacted positively to Bradway’s remarks, with Amgen’s stock rising 3.2% the following day on expectations of a differentiated product profile.