Viking’s Phase IIb NASH Data Provide Across-The-Board Success

Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will presumably hold a significant lead on the market for its THRβ agonist resmetirom (MDGL-3196), which it plans to file for US approval in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis this quarter, but Phase IIb data reported on 16 May for Viking Therapeutics, Inc.’s THRβ agonist, VK2809, led to analysts calling the drug a best-in-class candidate for NASH. VK2809 hit its primary endpoint of reduction from baseline in liver fat content (LFC) at 12 weeks compared to placebo in the VOYAGE study.