Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) shares shot up 12% in overnight US trading as the drug developer revealed more impressive trial data from a treatment utilising GLP-1 receptors.
Data from the phase 1 trials of single and multiple doses of VK2735 showed reported weight loss of up to 7.8% and “significant” liver fat reduction, Viking said in an oral presentation to The Obesity Society.
GLP-1 receptors are a key component of treatments developed by Novo Novodisk (Wegovy, Ozampic) and Eli Lilly (Mounjaro) for diabetes and related conditions, but it has been their effectiveness in reducing weight that has stunned physicians.
VK2735, a combination of GLP-1 and another receptor peptide, GIP, is being targeted specifically at weight loss by Viking.
Results on liver fat were especially encouraging said chief executive Brian Lian, with up to a 47% reduction in some cases after 28 weeks.
“These new data demonstrate VK2735's rapid and promising impact on liver fat and plasma lipids on top of the previously reported reductions in body weight," he said.
Viking is currently undertaking a phase 2 trial, VENTURE, to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and weight loss efficacy of the drug administered subcutaneously, once weekly for 13 weeks.
Shares in Viking rose to US$12.02 following the trial update.