Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) Advances Obesity Drug Development and Expands Metabolic Disease Pipeline

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX) is one of the best US stocks to buy under $50. On January 12, Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX) announced a significant milestone in the development of its obesity drug VK2735.

Data published in the peer-reviewed journal Obesity show that the drug achieved a weight loss of 14.7% from baseline after 13 weeks of treatment, with no plateau observed. The clinical trial also met both primary and secondary endpoints. Following the positive Phase 2 trials, Viking is evaluating VK2735 in the Phase 3 VANQUISH-1 trial. It has already enrolled about 4,650 patients.

“The study data served to highlight the promise that VK2735 holds as a potentially best-in-class dual GLP-1/GIP agonist and were central to our designing of the ongoing VANQUISH Phase 3 program,” said Brian Lian, CEO of Viking Therapeutics.

The positive clinical trials come as interest in weight loss drug deals remains strong in the market. According to Viking Therapeutics CEO Brian Lian, drug makers are increasingly seeking ways to tap into the potential $150 billion market.

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX) is a clinical-stage biopharma company developing drugs for metabolic and endocrine diseases, notably obesity, fatty liver (MASH), and rare conditions.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.