Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders.
Clinical Trials
13
3 active
Approvals
0
Total approvals
Agencies
0
Regulatory bodies
Founded
2012
Active, not recruiting
3
23.1%
Completed
8
61.5%
Recruiting
2
15.4%
No approval data available
- Viking Therapeutics reported topline results from its Phase 2 maintenance study of VK2735, a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, in approximately 180 adults with obesity. - After 21 weeks of weekly dosing, participants lost 16% to 19% of body weight versus approximately 0% for placebo, with no plateau observed. - Switching to every-other-week dosing preserved up to 97% of weight loss and monthly dosing preserved up to 90%, compared with 61% for placebo. - Gastrointestinal adverse event rates during maintenance were similar to placebo, and discontinuations due to adverse events remained low across the trial.
- The biotech M&A market is heating up as pharmaceutical companies face a patent cliff that will eliminate $200-250 billion in branded medicine sales by 2032, driving acquisition activity. - Research projects both the number of acquisitions and total dollars spent on deals will increase 15% in 2026, with approximately 520 transactions totaling $230 billion expected across the sector. - Big Pharma is targeting companies with drugs in advanced clinical trials, with 80% of expected 2026 deals focused on acquiring treatments already proven effective in patients. - Key therapeutic areas drawing acquisition interest include diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, radiopharmacy, RNA-based therapies, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Revolution Medicines is reportedly in acquisition talks with Merck for up to $32 billion, which would represent the largest biotech deal since Pfizer's $45.6 billion acquisition of Seagen in 2023. - The potential acquisition comes as Merck faces patent expiry for its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda in 2028, which generated $31.6 billion in sales last year and represents about half of the company's annual revenue. - Global biotech M&A activity has surged to $228.4 billion in announced deals in 2025, up from $132.3 billion in 2024, driven by pharmaceutical giants seeking to replace revenue from drugs losing patent protection. - Revolution Medicines' late-stage oral cancer treatment Daraxonrasib appears to be the key asset driving acquisition interest, with reports suggesting a potential bidding war occurred between multiple pharmaceutical companies.
- Viking Therapeutics recently reported Phase 2 clinical trial results for their oral obesity treatment, generating contrasting analyst opinions on the data's significance. - The study results have prompted divergent market reactions, with some analysts viewing the data as affirming concerns about the company's prospects. - Wall Street's response to the obesity pill study has been characterized as potentially misguided by some market observers following the trial outcomes. - The Phase 2 data represents a key milestone for Viking Therapeutics' oral obesity drug development program amid competitive market dynamics.
• Viking Therapeutics is advancing its oral dual GLP-1/GIP agonist VK2735 into Phase 2 clinical trials, marking a significant step in developing a potential new treatment option for obesity. • The upcoming Phase 2 trial readout for VK2735 represents a crucial milestone in the competitive obesity drug market, where oral formulations could offer advantages over injectable alternatives. • The development of VK2735 aligns with growing market demand for effective obesity treatments, with potential to impact Viking Therapeutics' market position in the metabolic disease space.
• Amgen executives defended MariTide's clinical profile at JPM25, highlighting its potential for less frequent dosing and comparable weight loss to existing drugs. • Merck anticipates a smooth transition after Keytruda's patent expiry in 2028, planning to introduce a subcutaneous version and leverage other pipeline assets. • Viking Therapeutics is seeking a global partnership to expand its presence in the obesity market, emphasizing long-term supply agreements for VK2735.
- 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.
- Altimmune's pemvidutide, currently in Phase II trials for obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, is projected to reach $1.21 billion in sales by 2030. - Structure Therapeutics' GSBR-1290, an oral formulation in Phase II for obesity and type 2 diabetes, is forecasted to generate $1.2 billion in sales by 2030. - Viking Therapeutics, Altimmune, and Structure Therapeutics are emerging as potential disruptors in the GLP-1RA market, challenging the dominance of industry giants like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
- Merck & Co. has secured global rights outside China to Hansoh Pharma's preclinical oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity treatment through a $112 million upfront payment. - The deal includes potential milestone payments up to $1.9 billion, with Hansoh retaining options for commercialization in China, marking Merck's strategic entry into the competitive obesity drug market. - This licensing agreement represents Merck's first major move into obesity therapeutics, following the company's successful track record with diabetes drug Januvia and expanding beyond its cardiovascular portfolio.
• The GLP-1 agonists market is projected to experience substantial growth by 2034, driven by increased awareness and efficacy in managing diabetes and obesity. • Key players like Novo Nordisk, AstraZeneca, and Viking Therapeutics are developing innovative GLP-1 agonists, including oral formulations, to enhance patient adherence. • Emerging therapies such as VK2735, TERN-601, and ECC5004 are poised to transform the market with improved efficacy and novel mechanisms of action. • GLP-1 agonists are gaining traction beyond diabetes, showing promise in treating obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), expanding their therapeutic potential.
