Viking Therapeutics Appoints Neil Aubuchon as Chief Commercial Officer
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in innovative therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, has appointed Neil Aubuchon as its new Chief Commercial Officer. With over two decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, Aubuchon will play a pivotal role in advancing Viking's commercialization efforts, particularly for its lead product, VK2735, currently undergoing Phase 3 trials for obesity.
Strategic Leadership in Commercialization
Neil Aubuchon brings extensive experience in global commercialization and marketing within the biopharmaceutical sector. His previous roles include Chief Commercial Officer at AbCellera, where he successfully developed and implemented critical commercial strategies. Prior to that, Aubuchon was the global marketing lead at Amgen, overseeing ten programs, including several in the cardiometabolic space.
Brian Lian, Ph.D., CEO of Viking Therapeutics, expressed his enthusiasm about Aubuchon's joining, stating, "As we continue to advance our promising portfolio of metabolic therapies, including VK2735, our potentially best-in-class GLP-1/GIP dual agonist in Phase 3 trials for obesity, we are also building the appropriate commercial capabilities to maximize the opportunities ahead."
Aubuchon’s Impressive Track Record
Before his tenure at AbCellera, Aubuchon spent nearly 17 years at Eli Lilly. There, he held various leadership roles including Chief Marketing Officer in Australia and Japan, and Vice President of Lilly Bio-Medicines in Japan. His extensive background equips him uniquely for the challenges ahead as Viking Therapeutics gears up for commercial success with VK2735.
Commenting on his new role, Aubuchon stated, "Today, novel metabolic therapeutics are revolutionizing healthcare, particularly as life-changing treatments for people with obesity, and VK2735 is uniquely positioned with its potentially best-in-class profile."
About VK2735 and Viking Therapeutics
Viking Therapeutics is at the forefront of developing first-in-class or best-in-class therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders. Its lead candidate, VK2735, is a dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, aimed at treating obesity. The company is currently evaluating VK2735 in a Phase 3 obesity program, which consists of the VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 clinical trials.
- VK2735: A promising dual agonist in Phase 3 trials for obesity.
- VK2809: An orally available thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist targeting lipid and metabolic disorders.
- VK0214: A treatment opportunity for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD).
Looking Ahead
As Viking Therapeutics continues to build its portfolio, the addition of Neil Aubuchon as Chief Commercial Officer reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing its commercial strategies for VK2735 and other promising therapies. His expertise is expected to drive engagement with potential strategic partners and stakeholders in the evolving healthcare market.