Viking Therapeutics reports positive Phase 2 obesity drug data

Viking Therapeutics reported positive Phase 2 data for its experimental obesity drug, VK2735, a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist. In a 33-week study, the 17.5 mg once-weekly dose achieved up to 22% placebo-adjusted mean weight loss without a reported plateau.

The study highlighted the potential for less frequent dosing to maintain weight loss. During a 12-week maintenance phase, every-other-week injections preserved up to 97% of prior weight loss, while monthly dosing preserved up to 90%. These results suggest a differentiated dosing profile compared to existing weekly treatments from competitors like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Participants showed high efficacy, with 65% achieving at least 15% weight loss. The drug maintained a tolerability profile comparable to placebo, with low rates of gastrointestinal adverse events. Viking Therapeutics has fully enrolled its Phase 3 subcutaneous trials and is initiating an oral Phase 3 program.