GLP-1/GIP candidate delivers 22% placebo-adjusted weight loss while less-frequent dosing shows potential for maintaining results
Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) announced positive topline results Tuesday from a maintenance study evaluating its experimental obesity drug VK2735, highlighting the potential for multiple dosing schedules designed to help patients maintain weight loss.
The Phase 1 study evaluated VK2735, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, across weekly, every-other-week and monthly maintenance regimens following an initial treatment period.
Patients receiving a 17.5 mg weekly dose achieved approximately 22% placebo-adjusted weight loss at Week 33, with no plateau in weight reduction observed. Importantly, participants transitioned to every-other-week dosing maintained up to 97% of their prior weight loss over three months.
The findings suggest VK2735 could potentially offer patients greater flexibility after reaching their weight-loss goals, including less frequent injections. Such dosing options could become important in the competitive obesity-treatment market, where long-term adherence remains a major consideration.
VK2735 is already Viking’s most advanced clinical candidate. The company’s Phase 3 VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 trials evaluating the injectable formulation in obesity are fully enrolled and progressing.
Viking is also developing an oral version of VK2735, with Phase 3 development expected to broaden the company’s approach to the rapidly expanding obesity market.
The latest maintenance data further strengthen Viking’s case that VK2735 could eventually provide patients with multiple options for both achieving and sustaining significant weight loss.
