Viking Therapeutics, a small biotech company, saw its shares rise more than 25% after positive results were reported for its experimental weight loss pill in a small study. The company plans to move forward with a phase two trial for the pill later this year, which is seen as a potential competitor in the growing weight loss drug market. Some analysts believe Viking could be a strong player in the market or a potential takeover target for a larger company. The optimism surrounding Viking’s potential has led to a substantial increase in its share price this year.
The phase one trial for Viking’s weight loss pill involved more than 40 patients with obesity who took different doses of the drug or a placebo for around a month. Patients who took the pill once a day lost up to 5.3% of their weight on average, with up to 57% of patients losing at least 5% of their body weight. Those who received higher doses of the pill were able to maintain or further increase their weight loss even after the study concluded. Viking CEO Brian Lian noted that the sustained weight loss seen in the trial may be encouraging for patients who may miss a dose.
The trial indicated that the weight loss pill was safe and well-tolerated by patients, with the majority of side effects being mild in severity. Gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, were reported at a lower frequency in patients who took the pill compared to those who received the placebo. The company believes that treating patients beyond 28 days may lead to further reductions in body weight. The pill is an oral version of Viking’s experimental weight loss injection, which showed promising results in a previous mid-stage trial last month.
Analysts have compared Viking’s weight loss injection to Eli Lilly’s injectable drug Zepbound because both drugs mimic naturally produced gut hormones called GLP-1 and GIP. GLP-1 helps reduce food intake and appetite, while GIP can also suppress appetite and improve the body’s breakdown of sugar and fat. In contrast, Novo Nordisk’s weight loss injection Wegovy only targets GLP-1. The potential for Viking’s weight loss pill lies in its ability to aid in sustainable weight loss and offer a convenient once-a-day dosing option for patients.
Overall, Viking Therapeutics is positioned as a strong contender in the weight loss drug market with its promising results in the phase one trial for its experimental weight loss pill. The company’s pill has shown significant weight loss benefits for patients with obesity, with the potential for further reductions in body weight when taken beyond 28 days. The safety and tolerability of the pill, along with its once-a-day dosing convenience, make it an attractive option for patients. As Viking moves forward with its phase two trial, the future looks bright for the company in the competitive weight loss drug market.
