#United States #San Diego #Viking Therapeutics #VK2735 #Hubert C. Chen

Viking Therapeutics Welcomes New Chief Medical Officer

Viking Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm focused on developing innovative treatments for metabolic and endocrine disorders, has announced the appointment of Dr. Hubert C. Chen as the new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). This strategic move is expected to bolster the company’s efforts to advance its suite of therapeutic candidates, including the promising VK2735.

Experienced Leadership

Dr. Chen comes to Viking with over two decades of leadership experience across various sectors of biopharmaceutical development. His impressive background encompasses drug discovery, clinical development, regulatory strategy, and product approvals, which spans multiple therapeutic areas. Reporting to Brian Lian, Ph.D., the president, and CEO of Viking Therapeutics, Dr. Chen is set to oversee the company's clinical development, medical, and regulatory affairs.

In announcing Dr. Chen’s appointment, Lian stated, "We are excited to welcome Hubert to Viking at this pivotal juncture as we progress our next-generation therapies. He possesses a unique blend of knowledge in obesity, metabolic disorders, and endocrinology coupled with a proven track record in the biotechnology arena. His addition to our leadership team is timely, especially as we gear up for the potential commercialization of VK2735."

A Robust Background

Prior to joining Viking Therapeutics, Dr. Chen held significant roles including Chief Research and Development Officer at Loyal Animal Health, where he successfully negotiated efficacy and safety requirements with the FDA for longevity therapeutics. His impressive career also includes being the president and chief scientific officer at Forte Biosciences, chief medical officer at Metacrine, and chief scientific and medical officer at Pfenex.

At Pfenex, Dr. Chen was instrumental in developing clinical and regulatory strategies for Bonnity, a drug-device combination aimed at treating high-risk osteoporosis, successfully achieving regulatory approvals in both the United States and the European Union. Earlier, he contributed to pioneering programs targeting obesity and type 2 diabetes at Amylin Pharmaceuticals, where he focused on innovative treatment approaches utilizing GLP-1 and insulinotropic peptides.

A Vision for the Future

Expressing his enthusiasm for joining Viking Therapeutics, Dr. Chen asserted, "This is an incredible opportunity at a time when addressing obesity and metabolic disorders is more crucial than ever. With the health challenges these conditions present globally, particularly in achieving and sustaining weight loss, I am eager to collaborate closely with the Viking team to drive meaningful improvements in patient health and well-being."

Viking’s innovative pipeline includes VK2735, a dual agonist designed for various metabolic disorders, currently in Phase 3 trials aimed at tackling obesity. Previous studies have indicated a favorable safety and efficacy profile for this candidate, lending further hope to its future success.

Strong Commitment to Innovation

Viking Therapeutics aims to revolutionize the landscape of metabolic and endocrine disorder treatment options with its groundbreaking therapies. Beyond VK2735, the company is also developing VK2809, a selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist, and VK0214, intended for the rare disease X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. As these clinical trials unfold, the insights and leadership of Dr. Chen will be crucial in navigating the challenges and strategy needed to bring these therapies to market.

By leveraging the expertise of Dr. Chen, Viking Therapeutics is poised to enhance its leadership in metabolic therapies and achieve significant milestones in improving patient outcomes.

For more information about Viking Therapeutics and its innovative medical solutions, visit their website at Viking Therapeutics.