- Viking Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical stock focused on therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, is sharing positive top-line data from its phase-2 clinical trial of VK2735
- The trial achieved “statistically significant reductions in body weight” across 176 obese patients, according to Wednesday’s news release
- Viking Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company developing treatments for metabolic and endocrine disorders
- Viking Therapeutics stock has added 142.7 per cent since the news dropped on Tuesday
Viking Therapeutics (NDAQ:VKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical stock focused on therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, is sharing positive top-line data from its phase-2 clinical trial of VK2735.
A promising weight-loss solution
VK2735 is a dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors intended to treat metabolic disorders such as obesity.
Activating GLP-1 has been proven to reduce glucose, temper appetite, lower body weight and improve insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes and/or obesity. Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is currently marketed as Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, the first of which has gained considerable popularity in mainstream media.
Recent research supports a co-activation of the GIP receptor potentially increasing the therapeutic benefits of GLP-1 activation. Tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor, has also been approved by the FDA under the brands Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Robust phase-2 top-line results
Viking’s 13-week, phase-2 trial achieved “statistically significant reductions in body weight” across 176 obese patients, according to Wednesday’s news release, including an up to 13.1 per cent placebo-adjusted mean weight loss, and an up to 14.7 per cent loss from the baseline, with up to 88 per cent of patients achieving weight loss of 10 per cent or higher, compared with 4 per cent for placebo. The trial also demonstrated that VK2735 was safe and well-tolerated, with 92 per cent of adverse events in the mild or moderate categories.
With this positive data in hand, Viking intends to set up a meeting with the FDA to discuss VK2735’s next stage of development.
Management commentary
“We are excited to report the top-line results from this important phase-2 study. VK2735 continues to demonstrate a promising efficacy and tolerability profile following 13 weeks of repeat dosing in obese subjects,” Brian Lian, chief executive officer of Viking Therapeutics, said in a statement. “Notably, robust weight loss compared with placebo was observed early across all doses evaluated in the study, and continued throughout the treatment period in all treatment groups. No evidence of a plateau was observed at week 13 for any VK2735 dose, suggesting further weight loss might be achieved from extended dosing periods. We look forward to progressing this important therapy into further clinical development later this year. Separately, we remain on track to report data from a phase-1 study of an oral formulation of VK2735 later this quarter.”
About Viking Therapeutics
Viking Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company developing treatments for metabolic and endocrine disorders. Besides VK2735, it has two compounds in clinical trials:
VK2809, a thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist to treat lipid and metabolic disorders, is undergoing a phase-2b study for the treatment of biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis.
VK0214, a selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for the potential treatment of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, a rare genetic nervous and adrenal system disorder, is being evaluated in a phase-1b clinical trial.
Viking Therapeutics stock (NDAQ:VKTX) has added 142.7 per cent since the news dropped on Tuesday. The stock is up by 8.54 per cent to US$92.31 per share as of 10:17 am ET Wednesday.
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