Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

Viking Therapeutics Announces Initiation of VK2735 Oral Phase 3 Clinical Program in Patients with Obesity

Viking Therapeutics initiated the SUNRISE Phase 3 program for oral VK2735, a once-daily dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, with two 68-week trials (SUNRISE-1 and SUNRISE-2) each enrolling 560 adults with obesity, with and without type 2 diabetes. The move follows positive Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral results showing up to 12.2% mean body-weight reduction at 13 weeks, with up to 97% of patients achieving at least 5% weight loss. Viking also continues the fully enrolled Phase 3 VANQUISH program for subcutaneous VK2735 (~4,500 and ~1,000 patients), positioning the oral tablet as an induction or maintenance option ahead of approved oral GLP-1 competition like Rybelsus.

•18d ago

Viking Therapeutics Announces Initiation of VK2735 Oral Maintenance Dosing Clinical Trial in Patients with Obesity

Viking Therapeutics initiated Part 2 of its VK2735 maintenance dosing study, testing oral tablet regimens (daily and weekly) plus monthly and every-other-week subcutaneous regimens to maintain weight loss after initial weekly subcutaneous dosing. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolls approximately 195 adults with obesity, with results expected in 2027; Part 1 subcutaneous maintenance results were recently positive. VK2735 remains in two fully enrolled Phase 3 studies (VANQUISH-1, ~4,500 adults; VANQUISH-2, ~1,000 adults with type 2 diabetes), making maintenance optionality a potential commercial differentiator in the crowded GLP-1 obesity market.

•26d ago

Viking Therapeutics Announces Positive Topline Results from Maintenance Study of GLP-1/GIP Agonist VK2735 Demonstrating the Promise of Multiple Maintenance Dosing Regimens

Viking Therapeutics reported positive topline results from its VK2735-102 maintenance study, with participants preserving up to 97% of induction weight loss on every-other-week dosing and up to 90% on monthly dosing, versus 61% maintenance for placebo. In the 21-week induction phase, once-weekly VK2735 produced roughly 16% to 19% mean weight loss versus approximately 0% for placebo, and an exploratory cohort continuing weekly 17.5 mg dosing reached 21.7% mean weight loss at Week 33 with no plateau observed. Maintenance-phase tolerability was strong, with GI adverse event rates similar to placebo and adverse-event discontinuations near zero across the roughly 180-participant trial. The results support flexible, less-frequent maintenance regimens for the dual GLP-1/GIP agonist ahead of its Phase 3 obesity program, and the company plans to explore oral maintenance dosing in an upcoming part 2 of the study.

•1mo ago

Viking Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Phase 3 VANQUISH-1 and -2 trials for Viking Therapeutics' lead obesity drug VK2735 are fully enrolled, with oral formulation Phase 3 trials expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company posted a Q2 net loss of $128.0 million, or $1.10 per share, driven by increased R&D spending of $115.8 million as clinical activities accelerated. Viking ended the quarter with a strong cash position of $502 million and appointed Hubert Chen, M.D. as chief medical officer to support its advancing pipeline.

•3mo ago

Viking Therapeutics Appoints Dorothy Gemmell to Board of Directors

Viking Therapeutics appointed Dorothy Gemmell to its Board of Directors, effective immediately, adding over 25 years of healthcare commercialization experience. Gemmell, a former executive at GoodRx and Capsule, brings expertise in scaling organizations and developing revenue models to the biotech's board. The appointment strengthens commercialization capabilities as Viking prepares for the potential launch of its lead obesity asset VK2735, which is currently in Phase 3 studies.

•3mo ago

Viking Therapeutics Announces Initiation of Phase 1 Study to Evaluate Novel Amylin Receptor Agonist VK3019 in Healthy Adults

Viking Therapeutics initiated a Phase 1 single ascending dose clinical trial for VK3019, a dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist, in healthy adults with a BMI of at least 30. The randomized, double-blind study will assess safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics, following FDA clearance of the investigational new drug application. Preclinical data indicated that Viking's DACRAs reduced body weight by up to 8% in diet-induced obese mice compared to controls within 72 hours.

•4mo ago

Viking Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Hubert C. Chen, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer

Viking Therapeutics appointed Hubert C. Chen, M.D., as its new Chief Medical Officer, effective immediately. Dr. Chen brings over two decades of experience, including leading obesity and type 2 diabetes programs at Amylin Pharmaceuticals and securing FDA approvals for drug-device combinations at Pfenex. He will oversee clinical development, medical, and regulatory affairs, reporting to CEO Brian Lian, at a critical time as Viking advances its lead obesity candidate VK2735 through Phase 3 trials.

•4mo ago

Viking Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Viking reported a net loss of $158.3 million for Q1 2026, driven by increased R&D spend of $150.2 million as Phase 3 trials ramped up, though the company maintains a strong cash position of $603 million. The lead obesity program VK2735 reached significant milestones, with Phase 3 VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 trials now fully enrolled, and plans advancing to initiate Phase 3 trials for the oral formulation in 4Q26. Pipeline expansion continues with an IND filed for the novel amylin agonist VK3019, targeting Phase 1 initiation in 2Q26, while maintenance dosing data for VK2735 is expected in 3Q26.

•6mo ago