Viking Therapeutics Announces Completion of Enrollment in Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing Trial of VK2735 Tablet Formulation in Patients with Obesity

Rhea-AI Summary

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) has completed enrollment in its Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing Trial of VK2735, a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist tablet for obesity treatment. The 13-week study enrolled 280 adults with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 or BMI ≥27 kg/m2 with weight-related conditions.

The trial's primary endpoint focuses on body weight change after 13 weeks, with results expected in 2H25. Previous Phase 1 results showed promising outcomes, with weight reductions up to 8.2% after 28 days and up to 8.3% at follow-up. The drug demonstrated favorable safety profile with 99% of adverse events being mild or moderate.

Notably, Viking is also developing a subcutaneous formulation of VK2735, which showed significant results in its Phase 2 VENTURE study with weight reductions up to 14.7%. The company plans to initiate Phase 3 development for the subcutaneous formulation in 1H25.

Positive

• Phase 1 trial showed significant weight loss up to 8.2% in 28 days
• Strong safety profile with 99% mild/moderate adverse events
• Subcutaneous formulation achieved 14.7% weight reduction in Phase 2
• High enrollment interest indicates strong market potential
• Weight loss effects continued post-treatment, reaching 8.3% at follow-up

Negative

• Phase 2 oral formulation results not available until 2H25
• Multiple competing formulations (oral/subcutaneous) may increase development costs

Insights

Biotech Analyst

Viking's completion of enrollment in the Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral trial represents a significant milestone in developing what could be a differentiated obesity therapeutic. The rapid enrollment pace signals strong investigator interest in VK2735's potential.

The preliminary Phase 1 data for oral VK2735 was particularly impressive, showing up to 8.2% weight reduction in just 28 days with continued effects observed even after treatment cessation. Most notably, the weight loss trajectory didn't plateau during treatment - a limitation observed with some existing therapies.

Mechanistically, VK2735's dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonism follows a validated approach, similar to tirzepatide's mechanism. However, Viking is pursuing both oral and subcutaneous formulations, with the subcutaneous version already demonstrating up to 14.7% weight reduction in its Phase 2 study.

The oral formulation represents a potentially significant market advantage. Current leading obesity medications require injection, creating barriers to adoption. A once-daily oral medication with comparable efficacy would substantially expand the addressable market.

Viking's parallel development strategy is efficient - advancing the subcutaneous formulation to Phase 3 in 1H25 while completing Phase 2 work on the oral version. The safety profile appears promising with predominantly mild adverse events reported across both formulations, particularly important for chronic weight management medications.

Healthcare Investment Strategist

This enrollment completion keeps Viking firmly on track in the rapidly expanding obesity therapeutics market, currently dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. While achieving enrollment targets might seem procedural, the reported efficiency signals strong clinical site engagement and patient interest - critical factors for future commercial success.

The oral formulation represents Viking's potential key differentiator in this multi-billion dollar market. If the Phase 2 data maintains the impressive 8%+ weight loss profile seen in Phase 1 with acceptable tolerability, it would position Viking competitively against injectable-only competitors.

Viking's dual-track development strategy (oral and subcutaneous) provides strategic optionality and multiple potential market entry points. The subcutaneous formulation's 14.7% weight reduction in Phase 2 already approaches the efficacy seen with market leaders, making it a viable standalone candidate.

The persistent weight loss effects observed post-treatment discontinuation and lack of plateauing are particularly noteworthy differentiators that could translate to prescription advantages if confirmed in larger studies.

While this enrollment completion doesn't provide new efficacy data, it derisks Viking's development timeline. With Phase 3 initiation of the subcutaneous formulation planned for 1H25 and these Phase 2 oral formulation results expected in 2H25, Viking is executing consistently against its clinical development roadmap in one of healthcare's most commercially promising therapeutic areas.

13-Week Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Oral VK2735 Dosed Once Daily

Results Expected in 2H25

SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 the completion of subject enrollment in its Phase 2 clinical trial of the oral tablet formulation of VK2735, the company's dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors.  VK2375 is being developed in both oral and subcutaneous formulations for the potential treatment of various metabolic disorders such as obesity.  Viking expects to report data from the study in the second half of 2025.

The Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing Trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and weight loss efficacy of VK2735 dosed as an oral tablet once daily for 13 weeks.  The trial enrolled approximately 280 adults who are obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m²), or adults who are overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m²) with at least one weight-related co-morbid condition.  Enrolled patients have been evenly randomized to one of six dosing arms or placebo.  The primary endpoint of the study is the percent change in body weight from baseline after 13 weeks of treatment.  Secondary and exploratory endpoints will evaluate a range of additional safety and efficacy measures.

"As with our previous Phase 2 study of subcutaneous VK2735, interest in participating in the Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral study was high and drove an efficient rate of enrollment," said Brian Lian, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Viking Therapeutics.  "Despite its larger size, VENTURE-Oral was rapidly enrolled, highlighting the continued enthusiasm for new obesity therapeutics such as VK2735.  We look forward to reporting data from this trial in the second half of 2025."

Viking previously reported positive results from a 28-day Phase 1 multiple ascending dose (MAD) clinical trial of the tablet formulation of VK2735 in healthy volunteers with a BMI ≥30.  Cohorts receiving VK2735 demonstrated dose-dependent reductions in mean body weight from baseline, ranging up to 8.2%.  Persistent weight loss effects were observed at follow-up visits through Day 57, ranging up to 8.3% from baseline, four weeks after the last dose of VK2735 was administered.  An exploratory assessment of the proportion of subjects achieving at least 5% weight loss after 28 days demonstrated that up to 100% of VK2735-treated subjects achieved ≥5% weight loss, compared with 0% for placebo.  Based on a preliminary evaluation of weight loss trajectories at multiple dose levels, the company believes that continued treatment beyond 28 days may provide further reductions in body weight.

In the MAD trial, oral VK2735 also demonstrated encouraging safety and tolerability through 28 days of once-daily dosing at doses up to and including 100 mg.  The majority (99%) of observed treatment emergent adverse events were mild or moderate, with the majority (90%) reported as mild.  Similarly, all observed gastrointestinal adverse events were reported as mild or moderate, with the majority (84%) reported as mild.

Concurrent with the development of oral VK2735, Viking is also advancing a subcutaneous formulation of VK2735 through clinical development.  The company previously announced positive data from the Phase 2 VENTURE study of subcutaneous VK2735, with the trial successfully achieving its primary and all secondary endpoints.  Patients receiving VK2735 demonstrated statistically significant reductions in mean body weight from baseline, ranging up to 14.7%.  Statistically significant differences compared to placebo were observed for all doses starting at Week 1 and were maintained throughout the course of the study.  Weight loss in all treated cohorts appeared to be progressive through 13 weeks and did not show evidence of plateauing.  VK2735 also demonstrated encouraging safety and tolerability in the VENTURE study, with the majority of observed adverse events being reported as mild or moderate.  The company plans to initiate Phase 3 development with the subcutaneous formulation of VK2735 in the first half of 2025.

About GLP-1 and Dual GLP-1/GIP Agonists

Activation of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor has been shown to decrease glucose, reduce appetite, lower body weight, and improve insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or both. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is currently marketed in various dosage strengths and forms as Ozempic^®, Rybelsus^®, and Wegovy^®. More recently, research efforts have explored the potential co-activation of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) receptor as a means of enhancing the therapeutic benefits of GLP-1 receptor activation. Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is currently marketed in various dosage strengths and forms as Mounjaro^® and Zepbound^®.

About Viking Therapeutics, Inc. 

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel first-in-class or best-in-class therapies for the treatment of metabolic and endocrine disorders, with three compounds currently in clinical trials. Viking's research and development activities leverage its expertise in metabolism to develop innovative therapeutics designed to improve patients' lives. Viking's clinical programs include VK2735, a novel dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors for the potential treatment of various metabolic disorders. Data from a Phase 1 and a Phase 2 trial evaluating VK2735 (dosed subcutaneously) for metabolic disorders demonstrated an encouraging safety and tolerability profile as well as positive signs of clinical benefit. Concurrently, the company is evaluating an oral formulation of VK2735 in a Phase 2 trial. Viking is also developing VK2809, a novel, orally available, small molecule selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for the treatment of lipid and metabolic disorders. The compound successfully achieved both the primary and secondary endpoints in a recently completed Phase 2b study for the treatment of biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. In a Phase 2a trial for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and elevated LDL-C, patients who received VK2809 demonstrated statistically significant reductions in LDL-C and liver fat content compared with patients who received placebo. The company's newest program is evaluating a series of internally developed dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (or DACRAs) for the treatment of obesity and other metabolic disorders.  In the rare disease space, Viking is developing VK0214, a novel, orally available, small molecule selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for the potential treatment of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD).  In a Phase 1b clinical trial in patients with the adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) form of X-ALD, VK0214 was shown to be safe and well-tolerated, while driving significant reductions in plasma levels of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) and other lipids, as compared to placebo.

For more information about Viking Therapeutics, please visit www.vikingtherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Viking Therapeutics, Inc., under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about Viking's expectations regarding its clinical and preclinical development programs, anticipated timing for reporting clinical data and cash resources.  Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the success, cost and timing of Viking's product candidate development activities and clinical trials, including those for VK2735, VK0214, VK2809, and the company's other incretin receptor agonists; risks that prior clinical and preclinical results may not be replicated; risks regarding regulatory requirements; and other risks that are described in Viking's most recent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Viking's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including the risk factors set forth in those filings.  These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof.  Viking disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viking-therapeutics-announces-completion-of-enrollment-in-phase-2-venture-oral-dosing-trial-of-vk2735-tablet-formulation-in-patients-with-obesity-302411564.html

SOURCE Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

FAQ

What were the weight loss results from VK2735 oral tablet Phase 1 trial?

In the Phase 1 trial, VK2735 oral tablet showed weight reductions up to 8.2% after 28 days, with effects persisting up to 8.3% four weeks after the last dose.

When will Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) report Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral trial results?

Viking expects to report data from the Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral trial in the second half of 2025.

How many participants were enrolled in VKTX's Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral trial?

The trial enrolled approximately 280 adults, randomized across six dosing arms plus placebo.

What were the safety results for VK2735 oral tablet in clinical trials?

99% of treatment emergent adverse events were mild or moderate, with 90% reported as mild. All gastrointestinal adverse events were mild or moderate.

What weight loss results did VKTX's subcutaneous VK2735 achieve in Phase 2?

The subcutaneous VK2735 demonstrated weight reductions up to 14.7% in the Phase 2 VENTURE study, with progressive weight loss through 13 weeks.