Viking Therapeutics Shares Surge on Encouraging Competitive Weight-Loss Data

- Viking Therapeutics' stock price increased significantly due to positive results from trials involving its weight-loss drug candidate, VK2735.
- In a mid-stage trial, patients taking VK2735 lost 14.7% of their body weight on average after 13 weeks.
- During a Phase 1 study, participants using various doses of VK2735 showed an average 5% weight loss within four weeks, with a low incidence of side effects compared to existing treatments like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound.
- At the highest dose (40 mg), 57% of participants lost 5% or more of their body weight, demonstrating statistical significance compared to the placebo group.
- Viking Therapeutics plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial later in the year, aiming for longer treatment durations and potentially higher doses.
- The company's stock gained attention as a potential acquisition target due to the lack of mid-stage obesity drugs in development by major pharmaceutical firms.
- Viking's drug, VK2735, targets both GLP-1 and GIP hormones, similar to Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy.
- The market for weight-loss drugs is currently dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, but there is excitement around the prospect of an effective oral alternative to the current injectable options.