Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) saw its stock soar 5.71% in after-hours trading on Tuesday, following the announcement of positive results from the company's Phase 2b clinical trial of VK2809, a novel liver-selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist being developed for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
The biotechnology company revealed that VK2809 successfully achieved both the primary and secondary endpoints in the VOYAGE study, demonstrating significant reductions in liver fat content, impressive NASH resolution rates, improvements in fibrosis, and promising safety and tolerability over 52 weeks of treatment.
Highlights from the Phase 2b data presentation included:
- Patients receiving VK2809 showed statistically significant reductions in liver fat at Week 52, with the mean relative change from baseline ranging from 37% to 55%.
- On the secondary endpoint of NASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis, 63% to 75% of VK2809-treated patients achieved NASH resolution, compared with 29% for placebo.
- For the endpoint of improvement in fibrosis with no worsening of NASH, 44% to 57% of VK2809-treated patients showed improvement, compared with 34% for placebo.
- VK2809 demonstrated encouraging safety and tolerability, with minimal differences compared to the previously reported results at 12 weeks.
The positive Phase 2b results have raised hopes for Viking Therapeutics' prospects in the lucrative NASH market, driving significant investor interest and fueling the stock's after-hours rally. Analysts will closely examine the data to assess the drug's efficacy, safety, and potential for regulatory approval.
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