HQ Team
March 27, 2024: US-based biotechnology company Viking Therapeutics Inc., reported “positive” results from its early-stage weight-loss oral drug and the pill showed mild to moderate side effects.
The phase 1 trials, to test the drug’s safety, showed up to 5.3% weight loss in patients after 28 days and was “shown to be safe and well-tolerated.”
The oral tablet formulation of VK2735, a dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, is being developed for the potential treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity.
“Cohorts receiving VK2735 demonstrated dose-dependent reductions in mean body weight from baseline, ranging up to 5.3%. Cohorts receiving VK2735 also demonstrated reductions in mean body weight relative to placebo, ranging up to 3.3%,” according to a company statement.
Phase 2 trial later this year
“Based on these Phase 1 results, the company plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial with the oral formulation of VK2735 in obesity later this year,” according to a company statement.
At the highest 40-milligram dosage of the investigational drug, the trial reported a weight loss of 3.3% compared to the placebo. It helped patients lose weight by 1.1% on average at a half-strength dose.
“These Phase 1 results highlight VK2735’s promising early weight loss and tolerability profile when dosed as an oral tablet,” said Brian Lian, PhD, chief executive officer of Viking.
“We believe these data indicate that longer treatment duration, at potentially higher doses, may result in additional weight loss. We are particularly pleased with the initial safety and tolerability data, which suggest a differentiated profile with minimal gastrointestinal-related side effects.
“We believe that an oral agent with good tolerability could represent an attractive potential treatment option for patients with obesity. We look forward to exploring longer treatment windows and potentially higher doses in an upcoming Phase 2 trial,” he said.
Market growing at 26%
An exploratory assessment of the proportion of subjects achieving at least 5% weight loss after 28 days demonstrated that up to 57% of VK2735-treated subjects achieved greater than or equal to 5% weight loss, compared with 0% for placebo.
“The company believes that treatment duration beyond 28 days may provide further reductions in body weight,” based on a preliminary evaluation of weight loss trajectory.
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are the market leaders in the weight-loss drug market. Viking has both oral and injectable options.
The anti-obesity drugs market was valued at $4.51 billion in 2023 and is forecast by Fortune Business Insights to grow at a CAGR of 26.1% to $22.85 billion in 2030. North America accounted for a market value of $1.91 billion in 2022.
