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SAN DIEGO - Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX) reported a wider-than-expected loss for the first quarter of 2025 as research and development expenses increased, but its stock edged up 1% following the announcement.
The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company posted a Q1 loss of $0.41 per share, $0.08 worse than the analyst estimate of $0.33 per share. The loss widened from $0.26 per share in the same quarter last year.
Research and development expenses rose to $41.4 million in Q1, up from $24.1 million a year ago, primarily due to increased manufacturing costs for drug candidates, clinical studies, and higher stock-based compensation and salaries.
Viking Therapeutics ended the quarter with a strong cash position of $852 million, down slightly from $903 million at the end of 2024.
The company reported progress on its lead drug candidate VK2735 for obesity treatment. Phase 3 trials for the subcutaneous formulation are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2025. Additionally, enrollment has been completed for the Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing trial evaluating the tablet formulation, with data expected in the second half of 2025.
"Throughout the first quarter we continued to ramp up activities in support of the initiation of Phase 3 trials with the subcutaneous formulation of VK2735, which are on track to begin later this quarter," said Brian Lian, Ph.D., CEO of Viking Therapeutics.
The company also announced a manufacturing agreement with CordenPharma to support future commercialization of VK2735, securing capacity for large-scale production of the drug.
Viking Therapeutics plans to file an investigational new drug application for its dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist program in the second half of 2025.
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