A new injectable drug helps patients burn fat five times faster than Ozempic and Wegovy, according to impressive results from a clinical trial.
The drug – currently known as VK2735 – was developed by California biotechnology company Viking Therapeutics.
Although the injectable still needs to undergo another clinical trial before it becomes eligible for approval from the US FDA. There are already rumors that it could revolutionize the weight loss industry and leave other injectables behind.
Credits: Diy13/istock
Pfizer diabetes drug results in similar levels of weight loss to Ozempic
Test results
In the clinical trial, participants who received a high dose of VK2735 once a week for 13 weeks lost an average of 32 pounds, or 14.7% of their body weight.
By comparison, patients who injected Ozempic and Wegovy took 68 weeks – or five times longer – to see similar results.
During the phase two trial of VK2735, scientists recruited 174 overweight or obese adults with at least one underlying comorbidity, such as type 2 diabetes.
Of these total participants, 140 injected VK2735 once a week for 13 weeks, while the remaining 34 received placebo.
Those who injected the placebo lost an average of just 1.7% of their body weight.
Meanwhile, participants who received a 10-milligram dose of VK2735 reported an average body weight loss of 12.9%.
Participants who received the highest dose (15 mg) saw 14.7% of their weight drop.
Composition of the medicine
Like Ozempic and Wegovy, VK2735 mimics glucagon-like peptide 1, the hormone that makes people feel fuller for longer.
However, the injectable also mimics the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, which slows the movement of food through the intestine. This could be responsible for increasing its effectiveness.
