At ObesityWeek 2021 in November 2021, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical startup Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VKTX), which focuses on creating innovative treatments for endocrine and metabolic disorders, presented encouraging preclinical findings. The information demonstrated a number of new dual agonists that target the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor as well as the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). These dual agonists offer a novel treatment option for metabolic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
GLP-1 and GIP are incretin hormones that help regulate glucose metabolism. GLP-1 is renowned for boosting insulin secretion while decreasing hunger, whereas GIP increases insulin secretion in response to meals. Dual activation of these receptors in a single chemical may provide synergistic effects, perhaps leading to better therapeutic outcomes in the management of obesity and diabetes.
Preclinical findings at ObesityWeek 2021 indicate that Viking's dual agonists can significantly enhance glucose management and induce weight loss in animal models. The data suggest that the novel dual agonists could potentially provide a more holistic therapeutic alternative than traditional medicines targeting GLP-1 or GIP only.
Viking's work is a commitment to the search for new solutions for the treatment of patients' metabolic disorders. The area of dual receptor agonists actually reflects a direction of growing interest in multi-target approaches to approach the complexity of obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
According to Coherent Market Insights glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogs industry, projected to grow from USD 25.10 billion in 2024 to USD 55.70 billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1%
The market for glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogs is growing rapidly with increasing physician awareness of its advantages over traditional anti-diabetic drugs. GLP-1 analogs have been proven in various studies to manage Type 2 diabetes and reduce weight among diabetic as well as obese non-diabetic individuals. For instance, the GLP-1 analog, liraglutide, is approved for obese and overweight patients, which accelerates market growth. The industry for GLP-1 analogs will increase to a great extent due to increased awareness, clinical benefits, and medication formulations still under research.
Yet, the industry has some challenges, such as the relatively higher price of GLP-1 analogs compared to traditional diabetes drugs and the issues in patient compliance.
