Viking Therapeutics

Roche and Zealand Pharma Forge $5.3 Billion Partnership to Develop Novel Obesity Treatments

2 months ago

• Roche has entered into a $5.3 billion collaboration with Zealand Pharma to co-develop petrelintide, a promising amylin analog for obesity treatment, both as monotherapy and in combination with Roche's incretin asset CT-388. • The partnership includes upfront payments of $1.65 billion to Zealand Pharma, with profits and losses to be shared 50/50 in the US and Europe, while Roche gains exclusive commercialization rights for the rest of the world. • Clinical data suggests petrelintide could deliver weight loss comparable to GLP-1 receptor agonists but with improved tolerability, potentially addressing unmet needs in the obesity market that is projected to affect 4 billion people globally by 2035.

Novo Nordisk Launches Home Delivery Service for Wegovy at $499 Monthly for Cash-Paying Patients

3 months ago

• Novo Nordisk introduces NovoCare Pharmacy, a direct-to-patient delivery service offering all Wegovy dose strengths at $499 per month for cash-paying and eligible commercially insured patients without coverage. • The launch comes as Wegovy supply stabilizes, with FDA confirming Novo Nordisk can now meet market demand following previous shortages that limited new prescriptions since 2022. • Currently, over 55 million Americans have coverage for weight management medicines, with 90% of insured Wegovy patients paying $0-$25 monthly for their prescriptions.

Kailera's HRS9531 Shows Strong Phase II Weight Loss, Pfizer Cautious on Danuglipron

4 months ago

• Kailera Therapeutics' HRS9531, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, demonstrated a 21.1% placebo-adjusted weight reduction in Phase II trials over 36 weeks. • Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla expressed caution regarding their oral obesity candidate, danuglipron, despite plans for late-stage studies of the once-daily formulation. • Kailera reported that 59% of patients on HRS9531 achieved at least 20% body weight loss, with no plateau observed, suggesting potential for greater efficacy with longer use. • Pfizer abandoned a twice-daily danuglipron formulation due to toxicities, focusing on a once-daily version, but analysts remain divided on its prospects in the competitive obesity market.

Viking Therapeutics Initiates Phase 2 Trial of Oral VK2735 for Obesity

5 months ago

• Viking Therapeutics has commenced a Phase 2 clinical trial for oral VK2735, a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, to treat obesity. • The VENTURE-Oral Dosing Trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and weight loss efficacy over 13 weeks in approximately 280 adults. • Prior Phase 1 data showed promising weight reductions up to 8.2% and encouraging tolerability with the oral tablet formulation of VK2735. • Viking plans to initiate Phase 3 development for the subcutaneous formulation of VK2735 in the first half of 2025, following positive Phase 2 results.

VYNE Therapeutics Advances VYN201 and VYN202 in Vitiligo and Psoriasis Trials

5 months ago

• VYNE Therapeutics completes enrollment for Phase 2b trial of VYN201 gel (repibresib) in nonsegmental vitiligo, with top-line data expected mid-2025. • A Phase 1b trial of oral VYN202 for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis has begun, with results anticipated by the end of 2025. • Both VYN201 and VYN202 are BET inhibitors designed to address immune-mediated conditions with high unmet needs.

Hengrui Pharma's HRS9531 Shows Promising Weight Loss in Phase 2 Obesity Trial

5 months ago

• Hengrui Pharmaceuticals and Kailera Therapeutics reported positive Phase 2 results for HRS9531, a GLP-1/GIP receptor dual agonist, in overweight or obese adults. • Participants receiving the 8 mg dose of HRS9531 achieved a statistically significant 21.1% placebo-adjusted mean weight loss at 36 weeks. • The trial demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with most adverse events being mild and gastrointestinal-related during dose titration. • Hengrui is advancing HRS9531 into Phase 3 clinical trials for obesity and type 2 diabetes in China, with Kailera developing it globally as KAI-9531.

Eli Lilly's Zepbound Demonstrates Superior Weight Loss Compared to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in Head-to-Head Trial

6 months ago

• Eli Lilly's Zepbound (tirzepatide) led to a 20.2% average weight loss, significantly outperforming Wegovy (semaglutide) at 13.7% in a 72-week clinical trial. • The SURMOUNT-5 trial included overweight or obese adults without diabetes, showing Zepbound users experienced 47% more relative weight loss than Wegovy users. • Zepbound, a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, helped 31.6% of participants achieve at least 25% body weight loss, compared to 16.1% with Wegovy. • The study's findings may influence treatment choices, with Zepbound potentially becoming a preferred option for greater weight loss outcomes, pending further data on tolerability.