Viking Shares Surge on Positive Results for Obesity Treatment

Shares in Viking Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VKTX) surged on Tuesday after the company announced positive results from its Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating its oral tablet formulation of VK2735, which is in development for the potential treatment of metabolic disorders, including obesity. The company’s share price settled up 16.82% on Tuesday, gaining an additional 2.75% in aftermarket trading.

VK2735 is a dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. It demonstrated encouraging safety and tolerability, and all observed gastrointestinal adverse events were reported as mild or moderate.

“These Phase 1 results highlight VK2735’s promising early weight loss and tolerability profile when dosed as an oral tablet,” said Brian Lian, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Viking. “We believe these data indicate that longer treatment duration, at potentially higher doses, may result in additional weight loss. We are particularly pleased with the initial safety and tolerability data, which suggest a differentiated profile with minimal gastrointestinal-related side effects. We believe that an oral agent with good tolerability could represent an attractive potential treatment option for patients with obesity. We look forward to exploring longer treatment windows and potentially higher doses in an upcoming Phase 2 trial.”

The company plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial with the oral formulation of VK2735 in obesity in the second half of 2024.

Highlights

Activation of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor has been shown to decrease glucose, reduce appetite, lower body weight, and improve insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or both.

The 28-day study results highlight positive signs of clinical activity following treatment with oral VK2735. Cohorts receiving VK2735 demonstrated dose-dependent reductions in mean body weight from baseline, ranging up to 5.3%.

An exploratory assessment of the proportion of subjects achieving at least 5% weight loss after 28 days demonstrated that up to 57% of VK2735-treated subjects achieved ≥5% weight loss, compared with 0% for placebo. Based on a preliminary evaluation of weight loss trajectory, the company believes that treatment duration beyond 28 days may provide further reductions in body weight.

About Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

Viking Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel first-in-class or best-in-class therapies for the treatment of metabolic and endocrine disorders, with three compounds currently in clinical trials. Viking’s research and development activities leverage its expertise in metabolism to develop innovative therapeutics designed to improve patients’ lives. The company holds exclusive worldwide rights to a portfolio of five therapeutic programs, including VK2809 and VK0214, which are based on small molecules licensed from Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. For more information about Viking Therapeutics, please visit www.vikingtherapeutics.com.

Share this article:

Share This Article

 

About the Author

Viking Shares Surge on Positive Results for Obesity Treatment

Catie Corcoran

Biotech Editor