Viking Therapeutics Gets Positive Top-Line Results From Proof-Of-Concept Trial Of VK0214

Viking Therapeutics Inc VKTX revealed Tuesday positive top-line results from a proof-of-concept study of VK0214 in a mouse model of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). According to the company, the results of the trial demonstrated that VK0214 rapidly reduced plasma very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) levels by over 25 percent in treated animals compared with vehicle controls (p < 0.01).

Viking Therapeutics said the trial successfully achieved its primary objective, i.e. to demonstrate the ability of VK0214 to lower plasma VLCFA levels following the six-week period of treatment. The company indicated that detailed results would be presented at an upcoming scientific meeting.

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CEO Brian Lian said, "We believe these results provide an encouraging proof-of-concept signal for VK0214 in the setting of X-ALD, which is a devastating and progressively debilitating disease with a lack of therapeutic options."

Viking said VK0214 is a novel, orally available thyroid receptor beta (TRβ) agonist, which selectively standardizes the expression of genes believed to be relevant to the manifestation of X-ALD. The company added that the evidence of the concept of trial, conducted at the Kennedy Krieger Institute under a sponsored research agreement with Viking, was designed to assess changes in VLCFA levels in the ABCD1 knockout mouse model.

Following the news, shares of the company surged 36.7 percent in pre-market trading on Tuesday.