Viking Therapeutics oral weight loss drug hits mark in mid-stage trial

Allison DeAngelis is the East Coast biotech and venture capital reporter at STAT, reporting where scientific ideas and money meet. She is also co-host of the weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Allison on Signal at AllisonDeAngelis.01.

A new oral weight loss drug developed by Viking Therapeutics hit the mark in a mid-stage clinical trial, but the side effect and discontinuation rates have disappointed investors. 

Viking reported Tuesday that its pill, dubbed VK2735, succeeded in a Phase 2 study. The medication led to statistically significant reductions in weight, as much as 12.2% after 13 weeks, on the highest dose of the medication. The company also reported the rate of weight loss didn’t plateau, setting the stage for further weight loss on a longer-term study. 

The rate of gastrointestinal distress was substantial, though. Approximately 38% of the subjects taking the highest dose of VK2735 ultimately discontinued the medication early. Across all of the dose levels, 28% of the trial participants discontinued treatment, compared to 18% of placebo subjects.

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