Shares of Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) are trading lower, pulling back from a pre-market surge of 10% after the company announced positive initial results from a proof-of-concept study of VK2809 for the treatment of GSD Ia, a rare orphan genetic disease. The data demonstrates that treatment with VK2809 led to statistically significant reductions in key metabolic markers of GSD Ia, including rapid and substantial reductions in liver triglyceride content, liver weight and liver weight as a percentage of body weight, as compared with vehicle-treated controls. “These initial proof-of-concept data showing VK2809’s activity in this model of GSD Ia are very encouraging. Due to its unique liver-targeted activity, we believe that VK2809 has a therapeutic profile that may align well with the treatment goal of reducing triglycerides, steatosis, and mitigating the metabolic complications of GSD Ia,” Viking CEO Brian Lian, Ph.D. stated in the news release. The company said it will present complete results at an upcoming scientific meeting.
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About Viking Therapeutics, Inc.
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel, first-in-class or best-in-class therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders. The company’s research and development activities leverage its expertise in metabolism to develop innovative therapeutics designed to improve patients’ lives. Viking has exclusive worldwide rights to a portfolio of five therapeutic programs in clinical trials or preclinical studies, which are based on small molecules licensed from Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. The company’s clinical programs include VK5211, an orally available, non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator, or SARM, in phase 2 development for the treatment and prevention of lean body mass loss in patients who have undergone hip fracture surgery, VK2809, a small molecule thyroid beta agonist in phase 2 development for hypercholesterolemia and fatty liver disease, and VK0612, a first-in-class, orally available drug candidate in phase 2 development for type 2 diabetes. Viking is also developing novel and selective agonists of the thyroid beta receptor for adrenoleukodystrophy, as well as two earlier-stage programs targeting metabolic diseases and anemia. For more information, visit www.vikingtherapeutics.com.
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