At the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference held on Monday, Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) CEO Robert Bradway disclosed significant findings from the continuation phase of the company’s Phase 2 clinical trial investigating MariTide, a novel obesity treatment currently under development.
Key data points from the second segment of the trial show that most trial participants who initially responded to MariTide continued to sustain their weight loss achievements for a further 52 weeks while transitioning to either a lower monthly dose or switching to a quarterly dosing schedule.
The extended treatment period of a second year demonstrated that MariTide was well tolerated across dosage regimens. Notably, individuals on quarterly dosing experienced very low rates of nausea and vomiting, common adverse events associated with therapies in this drug class, and no new safety issues were identified during this period.
Alongside the maintenance of weight loss benefits, patients exhibited persistent improvements in cardiometabolic indicators while on these effective maintenance doses throughout the additional year of therapy.
These latest results expand upon the June 2025 release of the initial phase one findings, where MariTide showcased substantial weight loss effects. In the broader Phase 2 trial, patients without Type 2 diabetes reported up to 20% average weight reduction, while those with Type 2 diabetes achieved reductions up to 17%, outpacing placebo controls significantly.
Additionally, Amgen has shared data from a 24-week investigation utilizing monthly dosing of MariTide in patients with Type 2 diabetes, with or without concurrent obesity. This study demonstrated clinically meaningful declines in HbA1c, indicative of improved blood sugar control, in conjunction with notable weight loss.
Currently, Amgen is progressing six Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating MariTide across multiple indications linked with obesity, including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea, signaling a comprehensive development strategy.
Analyst Perspectives
Industry analysts from William Blair expressed that the 52-week update aligns with expectations based on earlier quarterly (Q8W) dosing data. However, questions remain concerning the optimal dosage necessary to maintain efficacy on a quarterly basis, especially as the higher 420 mg dose is not being pursued in the ongoing Phase 3 trials.
Matt Phipps, another equity analyst, perceives MariTide as having a differentiated therapeutic profile when compared to existing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist treatments, or those in advanced development stages. As a result, he foresees the potential for MariTide to capture a meaningful portion of the market, with peak sales reaching into the multibillion-dollar range.
Moreover, Phipps sees additional revenue growth potential emanating from Amgen’s portfolio of key assets and ongoing late-stage pipeline candidates. In light of these factors, he maintains an Outperform rating on Amgen’s shares.
Market Performance
At the time of reporting on Wednesday, Amgen’s stock was trading modestly higher by 0.46%, priced at $325.80 per share. This movement suggests positive investor response to the clinical updates surrounding MariTide, though the stock’s longer-term trajectory will depend on upcoming Phase 3 results and regulatory milestones.
Overall, the progress in MariTide’s development underscores Amgen’s commitment to addressing obesity and related cardiometabolic conditions with innovative pharmacotherapy options, supported by encouraging clinical data on efficacy and safety.