Viking Therapeutics Expands Metabolic Pipeline with Novel Amylin Agonist VK3019 and Progresses VANQUISH Phase 3 Trials

Viking Therapeutics Expands Metabolic Pipeline with Novel Amylin Agonist VK3019 and Progresses VANQUISH Phase 3 Trials

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VKTX) has significantly expanded its pipeline beyond its core GLP-1/GIP dual agonist program by initiating a Phase 1 clinical trial for VK3019, an internally developed dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA). This move marks a strategic diversification into the amylin space, a highly sought-after drug class that operates independently of or in combination with GLP-1 pathways to induce satiety, slow gastric emptying, and regulate blood glucose.

VK3019 Phase 1 SAD Study Details

On June 24, 2026, Viking announced the initiation of a Phase 1 single ascending dose (SAD) study evaluating VK3019 in healthy adults with a BMI ≥30.

• Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single subcutaneous doses of VK3019.
• Preclinical Weight-Loss Signal: Preclinical evaluations of VK3019 in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and lean rats demonstrated a reduction in food intake within 72 hours, leading to up to an 8% reduction in body weight compared to control groups.
• Strategic Rationale: DACRAs like VK3019 can be used as monotherapies or combined with GLP-1/GIP dual agonists (such as Viking's own VK2735) to enhance weight loss induction and long-term weight maintenance¹, offering a flexible clinical toolkit.

VK2735 Phase 3 VANQUISH and Maintenance Dosing Regimens

In parallel with the VK3019 launch, Viking continues to advance its lead asset, VK2735:

1. Subcutaneous Phase 3 Program: The VANQUISH program is actively enrolling across two primary trials: VANQUISH-1 (adults with obesity) and VANQUISH-2 (adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes). Both are 78-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trials.
2. Oral Phase 3 Initiation: Viking plans to initiate its Phase 3 registration program for the oral tablet formulation of VK2735 later in 2026. If successful, oral VK2735 would represent the first oral dual GLP-1/GIP agonist to reach the market, serving as a major competitive differentiator against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
3. Phase 1 Maintenance Readout: Viking is on track to report results in Q3 2026 from its exploratory Phase 1 maintenance study (initiated in October 2025). This trial is evaluating alternative, flexible dosing regimens (such as biweekly, monthly, or oral transitions) to optimize long-term weight maintenance and improve therapy adherence.