Viking Therapeutics Diversifies Obesity Pipeline: Initiates Phase 1 Trial for Amylin Agonist VK3019 and Advances VK2735 Phase 3 VANQUISH Trials

Viking Therapeutics Diversifies Obesity Pipeline: Initiates Phase 1 Trial for Amylin Agonist VK3019 and Advances VK2735 Phase 3 VANQUISH Trials

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) has significantly expanded its clinical-stage obesity pipeline beyond its lead dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, Viking Therapeutics Diversifies Obesity Pipeline: Initiates Phase 1 Trial for Amylin Agonist VK3019 and Advances VK2735 Phase 3 VANQUISH Trials. On June 24, 2026, the company announced the initiation of a Phase 1 single ascending dose (SAD) clinical trial for VK3019, an internally developed investigational dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA).

This clinical milestone provides Viking with a second metabolic pathway to address obesity, positioning it directly alongside major competitors like Zealand Pharma (with petrelintide) and Novo Nordisk (with zenagamtide/amycretin) who are advancing amylin-based weight-loss mechanisms.¹

VK3019 Phase 1 Trial Design and Preclinical Promise

The Phase 1 trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled SAD study in healthy adults with a BMI ≥30. It will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and exploratory weight-loss pharmacodynamics of single subcutaneous doses of VK3019.

Preclinical results for Viking's DACRAs demonstrated significant therapeutic potential:

• Food Intake: Reduced food intake in lean rats within 0 to 72 hours after a single dose.
• Weight Loss: Reduced body weight by up to 8% compared to controls at 72 hours.
• Mechanism: Calcitonin receptor activation by DACRAs offers additional metabolic benefits over amylin activation alone, including improved fasting glucose regulation, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and more acute appetite suppression.

As Brian Lian, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Viking, noted:

"Therapies that target amylin and calcitonin receptors may potentially be used alone or in combination with GLP-1 or dual GLP-1/GIP agonists to improve the induction of weight loss as well as for longer-term weight management. Given the complexity of managing obesity and related metabolic conditions, broadening the potential treatment options is crucial..."

VK2735 Phase 3 and Maintenance Progress

While diversifying into amylin agonists, Viking is aggressively executing on its core VK2735 program:

1. Subcutaneous Phase 3 (VANQUISH): Viking is actively conducting its Phase 3 VANQUISH program, evaluating weekly subcutaneous injections of VK2735 over 78 weeks. The program consists of two trials: VANQUISH-1 (adults with obesity) and VANQUISH-2 (adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes).
2. Oral Phase 3: Viking plans to initiate a Phase 3 trial for its oral tablet formulation of VK2735 in the fourth quarter of 2026. If successful, oral VK2735 would represent the first oral dual GLP-1/GIP agonist on the market.
3. Maintenance Dosing Study: Viking is evaluating flexible dosing options for the induction and long-term maintenance of weight loss. Results from a Phase 1 study exploring various VK2735 maintenance dosing regimens are expected in 3Q26.