Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) said Wednesday it began a phase 1 single ascending dose clinical testing of investigational weight loss drug VK3019.

The launch follows the US Food and Drug Administration clearance of the investigational new drug application for VK3019, a dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist, the company said.

The trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy adults with a body mass index of at least 30 with the aim of evaluating the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of single subcutaneous injections of VK3019, the company said.