Viking Therapeutics Shares Surge 27% Following VK2735 Weight-Loss Study Results

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) shares rose 27% on Tuesday after the company reported positive topline results from a study evaluating maintenance dosing schedules for its investigational obesity treatment VK2735.

The San Diego-based biopharmaceutical company said the findings demonstrated the potential for patients to maintain much of their initial weight loss with less frequent injections following a period of weekly treatment.

VK2735 is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist being developed in injectable and oral formulations for metabolic disorders, including obesity.

VK2735 Delivers Up to 19% Weight Loss After 21 Weeks

Participants receiving weekly VK2735 injections achieved weight loss ranging from approximately 16% to 19% after 21 weeks, compared with approximately 0% among those receiving placebo.

At week 33, participants who continued weekly treatment with VK2735 at a dose of 17.5 mg recorded placebo-adjusted weight loss of 21.7%.

Viking said weight loss had not reached a plateau in this treatment group by the end of the assessment period.

The study enrolled approximately 180 adults with obesity and a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30 kg/m².

Less Frequent Injections Preserve Most Initial Weight Loss

Following the initial 21-week induction period, participants entered a 12-week maintenance phase involving different dosing schedules.

Those who switched to injections every other week maintained up to 97% of the weight loss achieved during weekly treatment, while participants receiving monthly injections retained up to 90%.

By comparison, participants randomised to placebo during the maintenance phase maintained 61% of their initial weight loss.

The results suggest that less frequent VK2735 injections could help patients preserve weight loss following an initial course of weekly treatment, although the findings remain preliminary.

Most Participants Achieve Clinically Relevant Weight-Loss Thresholds

At week 21, 98% of participants in the combined VK2735 treatment groups achieved weight loss of at least 5%, compared with 13% in the placebo group.

Weight loss of at least 10% was achieved by 90% of VK2735-treated participants, while 65% lost at least 15% of their starting body weight.

Approximately 32% of participants receiving VK2735 achieved weight loss of at least 20%.

No participants in the placebo group reached the 10%, 15% or 20% weight-loss thresholds.

Viking Reports Favourable Tolerability During Maintenance

Viking said VK2735 demonstrated favourable tolerability during the 12-week maintenance phase.

Rates of gastrointestinal adverse events, including vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea and constipation, were similar to those observed with placebo during this period.

Treatment discontinuation rates remained low during both the induction and maintenance phases, according to the company.

Oral Maintenance Dosing Planned for Next Study Phase

All participants initially received weekly subcutaneous injections of VK2735 or placebo for 21 weeks before transitioning to weekly, fortnightly or monthly maintenance regimens.

Viking plans to investigate oral maintenance dosing in an upcoming second part of the study.

The company is developing VK2735 in both injectable and oral formulations for obesity and other metabolic disorders.

The latest results provide preliminary evidence that extended dosing intervals may help maintain weight loss, while further clinical investigation will be required to establish longer-term efficacy and safety.

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