What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Viking Therapeutics has reported phase 2 results for its oral weight-loss drug VK2735, showing effectiveness but high dropout rates due to gastrointestinal side effects. The drug achieved a 12.2% weight loss at the highest dose, but 38% of participants discontinued treatment, primarily due to nausea and vomiting. The results have led to a significant drop in Viking's share value, as investors express concerns over the drug's tolerability and its potential impact on future trials.
Why It's Important?
The high dropout rates in Viking's trial highlight the challenges faced by pharmaceutical companies in developing oral obesity treatments that are both effective and tolerable. The results may affect Viking's ability to advance VK2735 to phase 3 trials, impacting its competitive position against other oral obesity drugs in development. The situation underscores the importance of balancing efficacy with patient tolerability in drug development, particularly in the growing market for obesity treatments.
What's Next?
Viking plans to explore a maintenance dosing strategy, transitioning patients from higher doses to more tolerable lower doses, in upcoming studies. The company aims to address the tolerability issues and demonstrate sustained weight loss with VK2735. The outcome of these efforts will be crucial for Viking's ability to compete in the obesity drug market and secure regulatory approval for VK2735.
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