Viking Therapeutics to Present VK2735 Obesity Data at ObesityWeek® 2024

Viking Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical firm dedicated to creating innovative treatments for metabolic and endocrine disorders, has announced that new clinical data from their VK2735 obesity program will be featured in two poster presentations at the ObesityWeek® 2024 conference. This event, organized annually by the Obesity Society, will take place from November 3-6, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.

VK2735 is a dual agonist targeting the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. The drug is being developed to potentially treat a variety of metabolic disorders, with both subcutaneous and oral formulations currently under clinical evaluation.

The first presentation will detail the results of the Phase 2 VENTURE clinical trial, which investigated the effects of 13 weeks of weekly subcutaneous VK2735 treatments on obese patients. The second presentation will showcase findings from the Phase 1 multiple ascending dose (MAD) clinical trial, which tested the oral tablet form of VK2735 administered daily over 28 days.

The specific details for the presentations are as follows:
- Poster Presentation #018:
Title: Results from the 13-Week VENTURE Phase 2 Study of the GLP-1/GIP Co-Agonist VK2735 in Obese Subjects
Presenting Author: Joel Neutel, M.D., Orange County Research Center
Date/Time: Sunday, November 3, 2024, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Central Time
Location: Exhibit Hall 4B of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

- Poster Presentation #017:
Title: First-in-Human Study of an Oral Formulation of the GLP-1/GIP Co-Agonist VK2735 in Healthy Adults
Presenting Author: Joel Neutel, M.D., Orange County Research Center
Date/Time: Sunday, November 3, 2024, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Central Time
Location: Exhibit Hall 4B of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

The GLP-1 receptor has been established as a key target for therapies aimed at reducing glucose levels, curbing appetite, decreasing body weight, and enhancing insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has been approved by the U.S. FDA and is marketed under the names Ozempic®, Rybelsus®, and Wegovy®. There has been a growing interest in the potential benefits of co-activating the GIP receptor along with the GLP-1 receptor to amplify therapeutic effects. Tirzepatide, another dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, has received FDA approval and is marketed as Mounjaro® and Zepbound®.

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. leverages its deep expertise in metabolism to develop new therapeutics aimed at improving patients' lives. The company's main programs include VK2735 for metabolic disorders, VK2809 for lipid and metabolic disorders, and VK0214 for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). VK2735 has shown promising results in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials, with a solid safety and tolerability profile and positive clinical outcomes. VK2809, another key compound, is a selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist that has demonstrated significant effectiveness in treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Viking's latest initiative involves developing a series of dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs) for obesity and other metabolic disorders.

In the realm of rare diseases, VK0214 is being developed as a treatment for X-ALD, and a Phase 1b trial has indicated that it is both safe and well-tolerated, significantly reducing plasma levels of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) compared to a placebo.

Viking Therapeutics continues to innovate and advance its pipeline of therapies designed to address significant medical needs in metabolic and endocrine disorders.