SAN DIEGO, June 24, 2026
Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) announced the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating VK3019, a novel investigational dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA) being developed as a potential treatment for obesity and weight management. The study follows the successful clearance of the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and marks a significant expansion of Viking’s growing metabolic disease pipeline.
Phase 1 Trial to Evaluate Safety and Weight-Loss Potential
The newly launched study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single ascending dose (SAD) trial enrolling healthy adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater. The primary objectives are to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of single subcutaneous doses of VK3019. Researchers will also conduct exploratory analyses of body weight changes following treatment. According to Viking, the trial is designed to provide initial clinical data supporting the advancement of VK3019 as a next-generation obesity therapy. The company believes therapies targeting both amylin and calcitonin receptors may offer meaningful benefits either as standalone treatments or in combination with existing GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP-based weight-loss medicines.
Promising Preclinical Results Support Clinical Advancement
Preclinical studies of Viking’s internally developed DACRA compounds demonstrated significant effects on body weight reduction, appetite suppression, and metabolic improvement. In animal models, the compounds rapidly reduced food intake within the first 72 hours after dosing. Researchers observed body weight reductions of up to 8% compared to control groups, highlighting the strong potential of this therapeutic approach. Amylin and calcitonin receptor activation plays an important role in regulating satiety, slowing gastric emptying, improving glucose control, and supporting long-term weight management. Viking believes the addition of calcitonin receptor activity may enhance metabolic benefits beyond those seen with amylin-targeted therapies alone.
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Expanding a Broad Obesity Treatment Portfolio
The launch of VK3019 complements Viking’s broader obesity pipeline led by VK2735, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist currently being evaluated in the company’s global Phase 3 VANQUISH program. The VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 studies are assessing weekly subcutaneous VK2735 in patients with obesity and obesity-related type 2 diabetes. Viking is also advancing an oral formulation of VK2735, which could become the first oral dual GLP-1/GIP agonist if approved. In parallel, the company is exploring flexible maintenance dosing strategies designed to improve long-term treatment adherence and sustain weight-loss benefits. By developing multiple therapeutic approaches, Viking aims to address the growing global burden of obesity while providing physicians and patients with a wider range of personalized treatment options.
Leadership Highlights Strategic Importance of VK3019
Commenting on the milestone, Brian Lian, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Viking Therapeutics, stated that the initiation of the Phase 1 study represents an important step in expanding the company’s portfolio of innovative weight-management therapies. He noted that obesity is a complex chronic disease requiring diverse treatment strategies and emphasized that therapies targeting amylin and calcitonin receptors may offer additional options for both initiating and maintaining weight loss. With obesity rates continuing to rise worldwide, Viking sees significant potential for VK3019 to contribute to future treatment paradigms aimed at achieving safe, effective, and sustainable weight reduction.
Source:Viking Therapeutics press release
