资料显示，VK2735为肽类GLP-1/GIP双受体激动剂。VK2735目前有两种剂型，分别为皮下注射剂(一周一次)和口服剂型(一日一次)。JPMorgan expects Viking Therapeutics to "increase" its rating and set a target price of $80, and includes the stock on its positive watch list.
According to the Futu News app, JPMorgan pointed out that the US small pharmaceutical company Viking Therapeutics (VKTX.US) will soon announce the results of early trials of its weight loss drug VK2735. JPMorgan rates the stock as an "increase" with a target price of $80 and includes the stock on its positive watch list. Boosted by this news, Viking Therapeutics (VKTX.US) rose 11.31% on Wednesday, closing at $60.83.
Viking Therapeutics will present the relevant trial data at a medical conference in San Antonio, Texas in early November. JPMorgan analyst Hardik Parik said, "We recommend going long on the upcoming data on VK2735, as we believe it will lead to a significant increase in Viking Therapeutics' stock price.
Information shows that VK2735 is a peptide GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist. VK2735 currently has two formulations, a subcutaneous injection (once a week) and an oral formulation (once a day).
Data shows that the subcutaneous injection VK2735 once a week achieved the primary and all secondary endpoints in Phase 2 VENTURE study of obesity. Compared with baseline, patients who received a 15mg dose for 13 weeks had a weight loss of 14.7% (14.6 kilograms, about 29.2 pounds), which is statistically significant. The patients' weight gradually decreased throughout the study, and there was no observed plateau in weight loss magnitude at week 13. VK2735 demonstrated good safety and tolerability in the trial. Viking has received written feedback from the US FDA and plans to advance the pipeline to Phase 3 development stage. The company also expects to hold a Phase 2 closing meeting with the US FDA later this year.
On the other hand, the oral tablet form of VK2735 also showed good safety and tolerability, as well as a positive trend in clinical efficacy, in Phase 1 study. Subjects reported a weight loss of up to 5.3% after 28 days of daily oral administration (from 2.5 mg to 40 mg). Dose escalation study is ongoing, and Viking expects to initiate Phase 2 trials of this program in the fourth quarter of this year.
The positive trial results of VK2735 drove Viking Therapeutics' stock price to reach a historical high of $99.41, and led many to believe that this unassuming small pharmaceutical company could become an acquisition target for other pharmaceutical giants. However, the stock price has since fallen nearly 40% from its historical high. For this stock, a new set of trial data or news of being acquired by another pharmaceutical giant may serve as a positive catalyst for its stock price. PwC has stated that many large pharmaceutical companies face an impending patent cliff that will impact key drug sales, which may stimulate them to engage in more M&A transactions with small and medium-sized biotech companies to offset revenue losses.
