VK2735 maintains up to 97% weight loss with less-frequent dosing in trial

Viking Therapeutics released data showing its obesity drug VK2735 maintained up to 97% of prior weight loss when patients switched from weekly to every-other-week injections, and up to 90% with monthly dosing over 12 weeks. Before the maintenance phase, patients had lost roughly 16%-19% of body weight over 21 weeks. An exploratory group that stayed on weekly 17.5 mg reached about 22% weight loss by week 33 with no plateau. GI side effects during maintenance were similar to placebo, and discontinuations remained low. Viking plans to test oral maintenance dosing next. VK2735 is already in Phase 3 development for obesity.