Viking Therapeutics

Viking Therapeutics' oral obesity drug showed 8% weight loss in 4 weeks, with 7% placebo-adjusted, and fewer GI side effects, sparking Wall Street interest. The Phase 1 trial results, from higher doses, suggest potential superiority over competitors like Wegovy and Zepbound. Viking plans Phase 2 study for oral drug and Phase 3 for injectable version.

Viking Therapeutics shares fell after reporting weight-loss drug trial results, with analysts noting high production costs for both oral and injectable versions. The oral version showed up to 6.8% weight loss in trials, but competition from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk remains a challenge.

Viking Therapeutics' VK2735, a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, showed effective and safe weight loss in obesity patients, with up to 14.7% weight loss in the VENTURE trial and 8.3% in the MAD trial. VK2735 demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability, with most adverse events being mild or moderate, and potential glycemic benefits. Viking anticipates advancing clinical discussions with the FDA on the injectable formulation and initiating a Phase II study for the oral tablet.

Viking Therapeutics released new clinical trial data for its weight-loss drugs, including an oral pill, showing a 6.8% weight loss over 28 days in a phase 1 study, outperforming Novo Nordisk's amycretin. The company's stock surged 6% pre-market but fell 5% post-release. This development highlights the competitive race among pharma companies to introduce new weight-loss alternatives to market leaders like Wegovy and Ozempic.

Viking Therapeutics' VK2735, a 100 mg dose causing 8.2% weight loss in 28 days, outperformed placebo's 1.4%, driving stock up 25%. Presented at ObesityWeek, it competes in the $150 billion market against Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy. Analysts predict 'best-in-class' potential, boosting Viking's shares.

Viking Therapeutics to present promising data on its oral weight-loss drug VK2735 at Obesity Week, with analysts predicting a Phase 2 trial and potential peak U.S. revenues of $12 billion. The drug, which mimics GLP-1, has shown safe and well-tolerated results in Phase 1 trials.

Demand for GLP-1 agonist drugs has surged, leading to supply shortages and increased manufacturing investments. The global GLP-1 receptor agonist market is expected to exceed $55 billion by 2031. Multiple companies, from startups to established players, are developing new GLP-1 drugs, including next-generation medicines with multiple drug targets.

Chapters cover methodology, executive summary, market variables, segmentation by disease, molecule, biological target, mechanism, and region, and competitive landscape.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) is poised to enter the GLP-1 weight loss market with its dual agonist VK2735, potentially surpassing Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy. Viking plans to meet with the FDA to discuss phase 3 trials, and despite a 323% stock surge in 2024, it remains speculative due to unknowns in phase 3 study outcomes and an overbought stock price. Investors are advised to consider established companies like Novo Nordisk over clinical-stage Viking.