Viking Therapeutics reports lower BMI category in 74% on VK2735
The exploratory VENTURE findings add cardiometabolic measures while weight-loss and tolerability data were previously disclosed.
Adrian Kessler
A lower body mass index (BMI) category was reached by 74 per cent of treated participants as Viking Therapeutics, Inc. NASDAQVKTX reported an exploratory obesity analysis on Sunday. The corresponding placebo rate was 15 per cent after 13 weeks of treatment.
The Nov. 15 release adds findings on obesity severity and cardiometabolic markers from the Phase 2 VENTURE trial. Its weight-loss and tolerability results were previously disclosed, while a separate poster describes baseline characteristics in the ongoing VANQUISH-2 trial rather than treatment outcomes.
Viking is a San Diego clinical-stage drug developer focused on metabolic and endocrine diseases.
Shares NASDAQVKTX closed at US$29.22 on Nasdaq at 4 p.m. EST on Nov. 13, before Sunday's announcement. The company's pivotal injection studies are expected to finish in 2027, leaving their longer-term efficacy results outstanding.
Exploratory Findings Extend the Earlier Readout
The original Feb. 27, 2024 readout described a trial enrolling 176 adults and testing four weekly doses against placebo. Doses ranged from 2.5 mg to 15 mg, with escalation in the higher-dose groups.
At the highest dose, mean body weight fell 14.7 per cent, compared with 1.7 per cent on placebo. The primary endpoint was percentage weight change from baseline through week 13; the highest-dose comparison had a p value below 0.0001.
Sunday's release gives no p value or confidence interval for the BMI-category comparison. Its BMI table lists 140 treated participants and 34 receiving placebo, while the cardiometabolic analysis used observed measurements from 124 treated participants at baseline and week 13.
Waist circumference fell 10.1 centimetres among those whose BMI category improved, versus 7.7 centimetres among those whose category did not change. These were subgroups of treated participants, rather than a randomized comparison against placebo.
The earlier safety report recorded nausea in 43 per cent of treated patients versus 20 per cent on placebo. It also recorded one serious dehydration event considered related to the drug. The tolerability findings repeated Sunday were also in that earlier readout.
"This important new analysis demonstrates further evidence of VK2735's potential benefits, supporting our belief that weight loss from treatment with VK2735 may improve overall cardiometabolic health," Viking chief executive Brian Lian said in Sunday's release.
Longer Trials Set the Competitive Test
In a December 2024 readout, Eli Lilly and Company NYSELLY reported 20.2 per cent average weight loss with Zepbound. That trial ran for 72 weeks.
Novo Nordisk A/S NYSENVO reported in March 2026 average weight loss of 18.8 per cent with Wegovy HD regardless of whether participants stayed on treatment. Its trial lasted 72 weeks and recorded 3.9 per cent weight loss on placebo.
Those longer studies provide competitive benchmarks, but differences in populations, duration and analysis prevent an efficacy ranking against Viking. The new BMI analysis also does not establish a reduction in heart attacks or other cardiovascular events.
Read more: Novo Nordisk reports normal liver fat in 23 of 26 Wegovy users
Viking's Oct. 28 update says FDA feedback preceded its Phase 3 injection programme. VANQUISH-1 enrolled approximately 4,500 participants. VANQUISH-2 enrolled approximately 1,000 with type 2 diabetes.
Both studies compare weekly injections against placebo, with percentage body-weight change measured after 78 weeks. Viking also has an oral development programme and a study testing maintenance regimens after an initial injection period.
Read more: Viking Therapeutics begins oral VK2735 maintenance trial in obesity
The October update reported a US$960 million cash position at Sept. 30. Management said that position provides runway for multiple Phase 3 trials and commercial infrastructure.
Viking expects VANQUISH extension studies to begin in the first quarter of 2027, testing continued treatment. The primary trials are expected to finish in 2027, when their placebo-controlled results will test whether the early weight loss holds over longer treatment.
