Viking Therapeutics’ Oral Weight Loss Drug VK2735 Shows Promising Phase 1 Results

Efficacy:
VK2735, an oral GLP-1/GIP dual agonist, demonstrated significant weight loss in Phase 1 trials, with up to 8.2% weight loss from baseline after 28 days at the 100 mg dose level.

Safety Profile:
The drug showed an encouraging safety profile, with all treatment-emergent adverse events being mild or moderate in severity, and no clinically meaningful difference in gastrointestinal toxicities compared to placebo.

Comparison:
VK2735's 6.8% placebo-adjusted weight loss exceeds the 4.9% reported by Structure Therapeutics' GSBR-1290 in a Phase I study, suggesting VK2735 may have a competitive edge.

Future Plans:
Viking Therapeutics plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial with the oral formulation of VK2735 in obesity later in 2024.

Subcutaneous Formulation:
The subcutaneous formulation of VK2735 showed up to 14.7% weight loss from baseline after 13 weeks in a Phase IIa study, with a half-life supportive of once-a-month maintenance dosing.