Viking Therapeutics stock jumps 16% after drugmaker moves weight loss injection to late-stage trial

Core Insights - Viking Therapeutics is advancing its experimental weight loss injection VK2735 into a phase three trial, potentially accelerating its development timeline by a year, with an expected launch in 2029 [3][4]. Company Developments - The company received positive feedback from the FDA, prompting the decision to move directly to a late-stage trial [3]. - Viking's shares surged by 16% in premarket trading following the announcement of the trial advancement [6]. - CEO Brian Lian indicated plans to meet with the FDA in Q4 to discuss the phase three trial's design and timing [9]. Product Details - VK2735 targets GLP-1 and GIP hormones, similar to Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Mounjaro, promoting weight loss [5]. - In a phase two trial, patients using the weekly injection lost up to 14.7% of their body weight compared to placebo [11]. - The company is also developing an oral version of VK2735, which showed a 3.3% weight loss compared to placebo in early trials [11]. - Future studies may test VK2735 as a monthly injection, offering a more convenient option than current weekly treatments [10]. Market Context - The GLP-1 market is projected to grow to $150 billion by the end of the decade, indicating significant competition among companies like Viking, Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly [1][7].