Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

The company is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders. Its primary product candidate is VK2735, a dual agonist targeting the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. VK2735 is being developed in both oral and subcutaneous forms to potentially treat metabolic disorders like obesity. In January 2022, the company began a Phase 1 clinical trial for VK2735, which included single ascending dose (SAD) and multiple ascending dose (MAD) studies in healthy adults. This trial evaluated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of subcutaneously delivered VK2735. The Phase 1 trial was completed in March 2023. Based on these results, in September 2023, the company initiated the VENTURE study, a Phase 2 clinical trial of VK2735 for patients with obesity. This 13-week study enrolled adults who were obese (BMI >= 30 kg/m2) or overweight (BMI >= 27kg/m2) with at least one weight-related co-morbidity. The study's main goal was to measure the percentage change in body weight from baseline to week 13. Patient enrollment for the Phase 2 VENTURE study was completed in October 2023. On February 27, 2024, the company announced that patients receiving weekly doses of VK2735 showed statistically significant reductions in mean body weight after 13 weeks, up to 14.7% from baseline, and up to 13.1% compared to placebo.