Words by Isabel O’Brien
AstraZeneca’s latest entry in the weight-loss market, AZD5004, licensed from China’s Eccogene in a $2bn deal, has shown promising results in early trials, the company revealed at ObesityWeek 2024.
According to the British drugmaker, this experimental oral pill demonstrated safety and tolerability in its phase I trial, clearing the way for phase II. The observed side effects, including nausea and vomiting, were consistent with those typically associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists, a drug class known for appetite suppression and slowing digestion.
Viking Therapeutics also captured attention at ObesityWeek, presenting compelling phase I data on its oral obesity treatment, VK2735. Early results showed dose-dependent weight reductions, positioning VK2735 as another potential alternative to injectable options.
With obesity market rapidly expanding, AstraZeneca and Viking Therapeutics are racing to offer competitive, convenient alternatives to established injectable drugs like those from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Both companies hope their pills could reshape the treatment landscape, particularly for patients managing obesity alongside other health conditions.
