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VIKING THERAPEUTICS Exhibit 99.1 Viking Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update Conference call scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET today U.S. and European Sites Continue to Enroll Phase 2b VOYAGE Study Evaluating VK2809 for the Treatment of NASH Phase 1 Study Evaluating VK0214 in Healthy Volunteers Ongoing ; Expect to Initiate Proof - of - Concept Trial in X- ALD Patients Mid - 2021 Quarter - End Cash Approximately $ 242 Million ; Provides Ample Runway to Achieve Key Clinical Milestones SAN DIEGO , April 28 , 2021 -- Viking Therapeutics , Inc. ( Viking ) ( NASDAQ : VKTX ) , a clinical - stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders , today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31 , 2021 , and provided an update on its clinical pipeline and other corporate developments . Highlights from the Quarter Ended March 31 , 2021 : " During the first quarter of 2021 , we continued to build on the significant progress made during 2020 with both of our thyroid hormone beta receptor agonist programs , " stated Brian Lian , Ph.D. , chief executive officer of Viking . " We continue to enroll patients in our 52 - week Phase 2b VOYAGE trial evaluating VK2809 in NASH and fibrosis , and expect to complete enrollment in the second half of 2021. With respect to our second thyroid hormone beta receptor agonist program , VK0214 , we are nearing completion of a Phase 1 single ascending and multiple ascending dose study in healthy volunteers . Pending the results , we expect to initiate a Phase 1b study of VK0214 in X - ALD patients this summer . On the corporate side , our balance sheet remains solid , and we ended the first quarter with approximately $ 242 million in cash , providing ample runway to achieve important milestones with each of our clinical programs . " Pipeline and Corporate Highlights Enrollment continues in Phase 2b VOYAGE study evaluating VK2809 for the treatment of NASH . VK2809 is an orally available small molecule agonist of the thyroid hormone receptor that possesses selectivity for liver tissue , as well as the beta receptor subtype , and has demonstrated promising therapeutic potential in a range of