Viking Therapeutics, Inc. ("Viking") (NASDAQ: VKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, today announced positive results from the company's Phase 1 multiple ascending dose (MAD) clinical trial of an oral tablet formulation of VK2735, a dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, in development for the potential treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity. 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.

Highlights from the study results include:

Body Weight Reductions

The 28-day MAD study results highlight positive signs of clinical activity following treatment with oral VK2735. 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%. For doses ≥10 mg, placebo-adjusted reductions in mean body weight were maintained or improved at Day 34, six days after the last dose of VK2735 was administered, ranging up to 3.6% relative to placebo. 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 ≥5% weight loss, compared with 0% for placebo. Based on a preliminary evaluation of weight loss trajectory, the company believes that treatment duration beyond 28 days may provide further reductions in body weight.

"These Phase 1 results highlight VK2735's promising early weight loss and tolerability profile when dosed as an oral tablet," said Brian Lian, Ph.D., 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."

Observed Change in Body Weight Following 28 Days of Daily Dosing with Oral VK2735

Safety and Tolerability

Oral VK2735 demonstrated encouraging safety and tolerability following 28 days of once-daily dosing. Among subjects receiving VK2735, all treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) reported to date have been mild or moderate, with the majority (76%) reported as mild. Similarly, all observed gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events have been reported as mild or moderate, with the majority (79%) reported as mild. Mild nausea was reported in five (14%) VK2735-treated subjects. Vomiting was not reported among any VK2735-treated subjects. Diarrhea was reported in one subject (3%) receiving VK2735 compared with two subjects (20%) receiving placebo. Overall, no clinically meaningful differences were reported for GI-related adverse events among subjects treated with VK2735 compared with placebo. In addition, no serious adverse events (SAEs) have been reported to date.

Common GI-Related Adverse Events Following 28 Days of Daily Dosing with Oral VK2735

Based on the encouraging weight loss, as well as the safety and tolerability results to date, the company has elected to continue further dose escalation in this study. Viking also plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial of oral VK2735 in patients with obesity in the second half of 2024.

The Phase 1 MAD study of oral VK2735 is an extension of the company's Phase 1 single ascending dose (SAD)/MAD trial of VK2735 administered subcutaneously. The oral portion of the trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy adults with a minimum body mass index of 30 kilograms per meter squared. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of VK2735 administered as an oral tablet once daily for 28 days. Exploratory pharmacodynamic measures included assessments of changes in body weight and other metrics.

Conference Call

Management will host a conference call to discuss results from the company's Phase 1 trial of an oral formulation of VK2735 today at 8:00 am Eastern. To participate in the conference call, please dial (844) 850-0543 from the U.S. or (412) 317-5199 from outside the U.S. In addition, following the completion of the call, a telephone replay will be accessible until April 2, 2024, by dialing (877) 344-7529 from the U.S. or (412) 317-0088 from outside the U.S. and entering conference ID #6296711. Those interested in listening to the conference call live via the internet may do so by visiting the Webcasts page of Viking's website at http://ir.vikingtherapeutics.com/webcasts. An archive of the webcast will also be available on the Webcasts page of Viking's website for 30 days.