San Diego-based Viking Therapeutics Inc. enjoyed an 87 percent stock hike in September when the company disclosed that, relative to placebo, its thyroid receptor beta agonist VK-2809 reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lowered liver fat in people with elevated LDL-C and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The top-line phase II data suggest the drug may be effective in battling the progressive form of NAFLD, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).