Nxera’s New GLP-1 and GPCR-Targeted Drug Programs Aim to Advance Obesity and Metabolic Disorder Therapies

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Tokyo-based Nxera Pharma (Nxera) announced on Aug. 6, 2025 the launch of an expanded drug discovery pipeline targeting obesity and related metabolic diseases. The company’s efforts build on independent research in addition to existing collaborations with Pfizer and Eli Lilly and Company, focusing on a range of validated G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) targets (1–3).

Nxera’s lead asset is a wholly owned oral small molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist program, which it developed with differentiated chemistry and managed separately from Pfizer’s PF-06954522. Nxera said in a company press release that the separation allows it to maintain full control over development timelines and strategy.

“Nxera scientists were among the pioneers in elucidating the structure of the GLP-1 receptor and other key receptors being targeted, giving us a clear advantage in developing potentially best-in-class next generation drug candidates. For the past 12 months, Nxera scientists have been advancing a broad metabolic disease pipeline to capitalize independently on our differentiated science,” said Chris Cargill, president and CEO, Nxera, in the release (1).

Multiple GPCR-targeted programs in development

In parallel with the GLP-1 program, Nxera is progressing six additional obesity and weight-management drug programs, including:

• three small-molecule agonists targeting GIP, apelin, and amylin
• one small molecule antagonist targeting GIP
• two undisclosed long-acting programs.

These programs employ Nxera’s NxWave GPCR-focused structure-based design platform with which the company can identify novel lead molecules with distinctive chemistry. The process combines proprietary NxHit small-molecule libraries with NxStaR proteins for DNA-encoded library screening. The company aims to produce candidates that differ from other drugs in global development.

“Today, we reveal the addition of these programs to our discovery portfolio and are confident in achieving significant progress over the mid-term, delivering clear value for shareholders and patients in the rapidly expanding obesity market, projected to exceed US$100 billion annually in global sales [4],” Cargill added in the release.

According to Nxera, its pipeline strategy addresses several industry and clinical priorities such as:

• long-term weight maintenance through convenient, scalable oral therapies
• treatment of obesity-related co-morbidities, including cardiovascular, renal, and liver diseases
• reduced side effects and tailored options for populations such as the elderly, post-menopausal women, and patients with sarcopenia.

Beyond obesity and metabolic disorders, Nxera continues research in neurology, gastroenterology, and immunology, applying the same GPCR-targeted discovery methods.

Pfizer program discontinued, future discussions planned

Separately, Pfizer recently ended development of its Phase I small-molecule GLP-1 agonist PF-06954522 in early August 2025 (5), which originated from a collaboration with Nxera. The decision, according to Nxera, was due to portfolio reprioritization rather than safety concerns. Nxera plans to discuss with Pfizer the possibility of advancing GLP-1 molecules identified during their joint research.

Nxera’s announcements underscore a broader trend in obesity drug development: expanding beyond injectables into oral therapies, diversifying receptor targets, and applying high-throughput, structure-based screening to accelerate discovery. With obesity drug sales forecast to surpass $100 billion annually, the field is poised for increasingly intense scientific and commercial activity.

References

1. Nxera Pharma. Nxera Launches Broad Proprietary Pipeline Targeting Obesity and Chronic Weight Management. Press Release. Aug. 6, 2028.
2. Pfizer. Sosei Subsidiary Heptares Enters Strategic Drug Discovery Collaboration with Pfizer Inc. Focused on GPCR Targets Across Multiple Therapeutic Areas. Press Release. Nov. 30, 2015.
3. Nxera Pharma. Sosei Heptares and Lilly Enter Multi-target Collaboration and License Agreement in Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases. Press Release. Dec. 16, 2022.
4. McKinsey & Co. GLP-1s Are Changing Obesity Care. What Comes Next? mckinsey.com, June 1, 2025 (accessed Aug. 11, 2025).
5. Waldron, J. Pfizer's Embattled Obesity Program Loses Another GLP-1 Over Poor Data and Strong Competition. fiercebiotech.com, Aug. 5, 2025 (accessed Aug. 11, 2025). https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/pfizers-embattled-obesity-program-loses-another-glp-1-drug