Viking Therapeutics Shares Preclinical Data on New Dual Receptor Agonists at ADA Scientific Sessions

Viking Therapeutics Inc. based in San Diego presented new preclinical data at the 84th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association, highlighting the effectiveness of their dual agonists targeting both amylin and calcitonin receptors. These findings are critical for advancing therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, particularly obesity.

The studies focused on the effects of Viking’s dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs) on body weight, food intake, and metabolic health in lean rats and diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. In the trials, lean rats showed significant reductions in food intake and body weight—up to 8%—following a single subcutaneous dose of the DACRAs. These effects were observed within a 72-hour period post-administration.

In a separate study involving DIO mice, treatment with Viking's DACRAs over 24 days resulted in noticeable body weight reductions, comparable to those in cagrilintide-treated animals. Alongside weight loss, the DIO mice also exhibited improvements in important metabolic markers such as blood glucose levels. Viking’s compounds achieved up to a 10% reduction in body weight and up to a 24% decrease in blood glucose levels over the 24-day treatment period.

The data were summarized in a poster at the conference, emphasizing the potent effects of Viking’s DACRAs on the human amylin 3 receptor and human calcitonin receptor. The EC50 values ranged from low nanomolar to micromolar, demonstrating substantial receptor potency. These findings solidify the rationale for Viking’s continued development of these dual agonists, which could potentially lead to novel therapies for obesity and related metabolic diseases.

Dr. Brian Lian, CEO of Viking, remarked on the significance of the amylin receptor in regulating food intake and metabolic control, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic target for obesity. He highlighted that the promising data on their DACRAs broadens Viking's pipeline, paving the way for innovative treatments in metabolic health.

Amylin, the hormone targeted by Viking's DACRAs, is known for its crucial role in glucose regulation, glucagon production, gastric emptying, and satiety. Amylin analogs have been shown to aid in weight loss and reduce the required dosage of insulin. Dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists like cagrilintide, which is currently in clinical development, represent the most potent form of amylin receptor agonists.

Viking Therapeutics stands out in the biopharmaceutical field with its focus on developing first-in-class or best-in-class therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders. Their current clinical trials are evaluating three compounds. VK2809, an orally available thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist, showed positive results in Phase 2b trials for treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. It also exhibited significant reductions in LDL-C and liver fat content in a Phase 2a trial for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). VK2735, another compound that targets glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, demonstrated promising safety and efficacy in Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials for metabolic disorders. An oral formulation of VK2735 is also under Phase 1 evaluation. Additionally, VK0214, aimed at treating X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), is currently being assessed in a Phase 1b trial.

Through its robust and innovative R&D initiatives, Viking Therapeutics continues to contribute significantly to the field of metabolic and endocrine therapy, aiming to enhance patient outcomes with its cutting-edge scientific discoveries.