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23m ago

Viking Therapeutics Stock Sinks as Oral Obesity Pill Delivers Weight Loss but Sparks Tolerability Concerns

Gastrointestinal side effects drove high dropout rates that undermined confidence in Viking’s oral obesity ambitions.

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Viking Therapeutics' obesity pill VK2735 met its primary endpoints in a Phase II trial, but failed to beat the efficacy of Novo Nordisk's Rybelsus or Eli LIlly's orforglipron. Image credit: SDI Productions, E+ via Getty Images.
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Overview

  • Phase 2 topline data showed VK2735 produced up to 12.2% mean weight loss at 13 weeks versus 1.3% with placebo.
  • Discontinuations reached about 28% overall and approximately 38% at the highest dose, with gastrointestinal issues the most common reason.
  • Reported side effects included nausea in roughly 58% of participants and vomiting in about 25%–26%, exceeding placebo rates.
  • Shares fell roughly 30%–45%, cutting market value to about $2.8 billion, as analysts questioned competitiveness against Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
  • Viking plans studies of lower starting doses, slower titration, and maintenance dosing, and it continues an injectable VK2735 program with results expected in 2027.