VK2809 (formerly known as MB07811) is a
thyromimetic
Thyromimetic drugs are synthetic agonists of the thyroid hormone receptor's isoforms TR α1, TRα2, TRβ1, or TRβ2, mimicking some or all of the effects of endogenously produced thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism. Some thyromimetic drugs ar ...
prodrug
A prodrug is a pharmacologically inactive medication or compound that, after intake, is metabolized (i.e., converted within the body) into a pharmacologically active drug. Instead of administering a drug directly, a corresponding prodrug can be ...
whose active form is selective for the
THR-β isoform. It is being developed by
Viking Therapeutics in a phase II trial for the treatment of
nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and is also being investigated for
glycogen storage disease type I
Glycogen storage disease type I (GSD I) is an inherited disease that prevents the liver from properly breaking down stored glycogen, which is necessary to maintain adequate blood sugar levels. GSD I is divided into two main types, GSD Ia and GSD ...
a.
In 2023, Viking Therapeutics filed a lawsuit against the developer of
ASC41, Chinese company Ascletis BioScience, accusing it of stealing Viking's trade secrets to develop ASC41 which is allegedly similar to, or identical to, VK2809.
References
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Thyroid hormone receptor beta agonists
Prodrugs
Dioxaphosphorinanes
Phenols
3-Chlorophenyl compounds
Isopropyl compounds
Experimental drugs developed for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease