Benzinga | Nov 1, 2021 07:07AM EDT

Viking Therapeutics Presents Preclinical Data On Novel Dual GLP-1/GIP Agonists At ObesityWeek 2021

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (Viking) (NASDAQ:VKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, today announced the presentation of preclinical data from a series of internally developed dual agonists of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors at ObesityWeek(r) 2021. The presentations highlight the effects of treatment on body weight and metabolic profile in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice as compared to control cohorts treated with vehicle, the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide, or the dual GLP-1/GIP agonist tirzepatide. The studies are summarized in two poster presentations at the annual meeting of The Obesity Society, being held virtually November 1-5, 2021.

The results of the studies demonstrate that addition of GIP receptor activity improves upon the observed effects resulting from activation of the GLP-1 receptor alone in DIO mouse models. Weight loss, glucose, and insulin effects are enhanced in the Viking series of dual-agonist compounds compared to the effects observed with the GLP-1 agonist comparator, semaglutide, when administered at the same dose for the same time period.

In separate studies, the effect sizes observed with the Viking series of dual agonists were similar to those observed following treatment with tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist currently in clinical development. Reductions in liver fat content were generally numerically larger among animals treated with Viking compounds relative to liver fat reductions observed among tirzepatide-treated animals.

Highlights from the poster presentations are summarized below.

Poster 206: Novel Co-Agonists of GLP-1 and GIP Receptors Produce Robust Weight Loss in a Rodent Model of Obesity

* 21-day study comparing a series of novel GLP-1/GIP dual agonists to vehicle and to the GLP-1 agonist semaglutide

* Treatment with Viking dual agonists resulted in mean reductions in body weight of up to 27% relative to vehicle (p<0.0001), compared with a mean reduction of 18% among semaglutide-treated animals (p<0.0001 vs. semaglutide)

* Treatment with Viking dual agonists resulted in mean reductions in blood glucose of up to 23% relative to vehicle (p<0.0001), compared with a mean reduction of 7% among semaglutide-treated animals (p<0.0001 vs. semaglutide)

* Treatment with Viking dual agonists resulted in mean reductions in plasma insulin of up to 57% relative to vehicle (p<0.0001), compared with a mean reduction of 35% among semaglutide-treated animals (p = non-significant vs. semaglutide)

Poster 207: Novel Dual Incretin Receptor Agonists Reduce Body Weight and Improve Metabolic Profile in DIO Mice

* 14-day study comparing a series of novel GLP-1/GIP dual agonists to vehicle and to the GLP-1/GIP dual agonist tirzepatide

* Treatment with Viking dual agonists resulted in mean reductions in body weight of up to 28% (p<0.0001 vs. vehicle) and reductions in plasma glucose of up to 26% (p<0.0001 vs. vehicle). These effects were comparable to those observed among tirzepatide-treated animals (29% and 25% reductions, respectively, vs. vehicle)

* Treatment with Viking dual agonists resulted in mean reductions in plasma triglycerides of up to 37% relative to vehicle (p=0.004) compared with a 29% mean reduction among tirzepatide-treated animals (p = non-significant vs. tirzepatide)

* Treatment with Viking dual agonists resulted in mean reductions in liver triglycerides of up to 49% relative to vehicle (p=0.01), compared with a 19% mean reduction among tirzepatide-treated animals (p<0.05 vs. tirzepatide)

The results of these and other preclinical studies provide the rationale for Viking's continued advancement of its internal dual GLP-1/GIP agonist development program. The company plans to initiate a first-in-human Phase 1 trial with a lead candidate in the coming months.

"We are excited to report these results, which highlight the potency and promise of these novel compounds," said Brian Lian, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Viking. "These presentations add to the growing body of evidence that supports the targeting of multiple metabolic receptors with a single agent, further enhancing desired metabolic benefits. Our efforts around incretin receptor agonists complement our ongoing clinical studies in NASH, with VK2809, and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, with VK0214, where patient enrollment continues. These new dual agonists result from our internal development activities focused on important therapeutic targets and represent an expansion of our pipeline of novel agents for metabolic and endocrine disorders. We look forward to commencing clinical studies with a lead candidate from this program."