Viking Therapeutics Taps Veteran Biotech Exec as CMO Amid Late-Stage Pipeline Push

Event summary

  • Viking Therapeutics appoints Hubert C. Chen, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer effective June 11, 2026.
  • Dr. Chen brings over 20 years of experience in drug discovery, clinical development, and regulatory strategy.
  • Viking is advancing multiple clinical programs, including Phase 3 trials for VK2735 in obesity.
  • Dr. Chen previously led R&D at Loyal Animal Health and held executive roles at Forte Biosciences, Metacrine, and Pfenex.

The big picture

Viking Therapeutics' appointment of Dr. Chen as CMO underscores its strategic focus on advancing its late-stage pipeline, particularly VK2735 for obesity. The move comes as the biopharmaceutical industry faces increasing pressure to deliver innovative therapies for metabolic disorders, a market projected to grow significantly due to rising global obesity rates. Dr. Chen's extensive experience in clinical development and regulatory strategy positions Viking to potentially gain a competitive edge in this crowded space.

What we're watching

Pipeline Execution
Whether Dr. Chen can accelerate the development of VK2735 through late-stage trials and potential commercialization.
Regulatory Strategy
How Dr. Chen's experience in regulatory approvals will impact Viking's ability to navigate FDA and E.U. requirements.
Market Positioning
The pace at which Viking can differentiate itself in the competitive obesity and metabolic disorders market.