VKTX Finishes Enrolment in Mid-Stage Study on Oral Weight-Loss Drug

Company Highlights - Viking Therapeutics has completed enrollment for the phase II VENTURE-Oral Dosing study of its obesity drug VK2735, with data expected in the second half of 2025 [1] - Approximately 280 adults with obesity or overweight conditions and at least one weight-related co-morbidity have been enrolled, randomized into six dosing arms or placebo [2] - The study's primary endpoint is the percent change in body weight from baseline after 13 weeks of treatment [2] - The rapid enrollment indicates strong demand and interest in VK2735, aligning with the market expansion for weight loss drugs [3] - Early-stage study data showed that patients receiving VK2735 lost up to 8.2% of body weight after 28 days, compared to 1.4% in the placebo group [4] - Viking plans to initiate a late-stage study on the subcutaneous version of VK2735 in the first half of this year [5] - Year-to-date, Viking's stock has decreased by 36%, contrasting with the industry's 1% growth [6] Industry Insights - The obesity market is projected to reach $100 billion in the United States by 2030, driven by the success of drugs from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk [8] - Companies like Roche, Amgen, AbbVie, and Merck are actively developing obesity drugs, indicating a competitive landscape [9] - Roche's acquisition of Carmot Therapeutics for$2.7 billion has expanded its portfolio in the obesity market, including several new candidates [10] - Amgen's MariTide therapy showed approximately 20% average weight loss over 52 weeks in a phase II study, with plans for a broad phase III program [12] - Recent entrants like Merck and AbbVie have also made moves into the obesity space through licensing agreements for experimental drugs [13]