EX-10.8



 Exhibit 10.8 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

Executive agrees to the terms and conditions of employment with Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (“Company”) set forth in
this Employment Agreement (“Agreement”), effective as of June 2, 2014 (“Effective Date”). 

1. Employment Terms. 

(a) Employment Period. The Company shall employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts employment with the Company, upon the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the one (1) year anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Employment Period”); provided that the Agreement
shall automatically renew on the same terms and conditions set forth herein for additional one (1) year periods unless the Company or Executive gives the other party written notice of its election not to renew the Employment Period
(“Non-Renewal Notice”) at least sixty (60) days prior to the renewal date (the “Renewal Period”). The “Employment Period” shall end at the end of the Initial Employment
Period (or the end of any Renewal Period) if a Non-Renewal Notice is timely provided, or on such earlier date as Executive’s employment terminates under Section 3. The date of Executive’s termination of employment is the
“Termination Date”. 
 (b) Nature of Duties. Executive shall be the Company’s Chief Operating Officer
(“COO”). Executive shall work exclusively for the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates (collectively, “Company Group”), to the extent so directed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company
(“CEO”), and shall have all of the customary powers and duties associated with the position of COO. Executive shall report to the CEO. Executive shall devote Executive’s full business time and effort to the performance
of Executive’s duties for the Company Group, which Executive shall perform faithfully and to the best of Executive’s ability. Executive will be permitted to engage in non-commercial outside business activities (e.g., non-profit boards),
with the consent of the Board of Directors of the Company (“Board”). Executive shall be subject to the Company Group’s policies and procedures, as generally in effect from time-to-time, including any and all policies and
procedures implemented after the Effective Date. Executive shall be an at-will employee who may resign or be terminated at any time, with or without Cause. Executive’s at-will status only can be altered by a written document approved by the
Board or a committee thereof and signed by the CEO, on behalf of the Company, and Executive, in his personal capacity. 
 (c) Place of
Performance. Executive shall work from the Company’s offices in California, except for required travel on Company Group business. 

(d) Subsidiaries and Affiliates. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) “Subsidiaries” means any corporation
or other entity of which the securities or other ownership interests having the voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other governing body are, at the time of determination, owned by the Company, directly or through one or
more subsidiaries or parents and (ii) “Affiliate” means any person or entity, directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company, including any parent company of the Company. 







 2. Compensation and Benefits. 

(a) Base Salary. The Company shall pay Executive a base salary (“Base Salary”) at an annual rate of $178,831
between the Effective Date and completion of the Company’s Initial Public Offering (“IPO”). Commencing on the date following completion of the IPO, the Company shall pay Executive a Base Salary of $298,052.
Executive’s Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board (“Compensation Committee”), after consultation with the CEO, and, if appropriate, increased (but not decreased,
except in the event of a proportional reduction in salaries of Company executives generally). Executive’s Base Salary shall be paid in conformity with the Company’s salary payment practices generally applicable to the Company’s senior
executive officers. Executive shall not earn any Base Salary during periods of non-performance of his job duties, other than vacations and permitted sick leave. 

(b) Annual Bonus. Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”). Executive’s
target Annual Bonus, to the extent earned, will be thirty percent (30%) of Executive’s Base Salary in effect on June 30th of such calendar year (except that during 2014, Executive’s target Annual Bonus will be $71,532.45,
pro-rated from the Effective Date through December 31, 2014). The Annual Bonus shall be based on Company financial performance and Executive’s performance, each measure as determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee after
consultation with the CEO for the applicable year. The actual Annual Bonus amount, if any, will be determined in the discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee, and generally will be paid within the first quarter of the following calendar
year. The Annual Bonus is not earned until paid. Executive understands that Executive shall not be entitled to the Annual Bonus unless Executive is employed by the Company at the time the Annual Bonus is paid. 

(c) Equity Compensation. The Board will recommend to the Compensation Committee that Executive receive, upon the closing date of the
IPO: (a) a stock option to purchase 45,000 shares of common stock of the Company (the “Common Stock”) (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and the like) (the
“Option”); (b) an award of 105,000 shares of restricted Common Stock (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations and the like) (the “Initial RSA”); and (c) an additional
award of shares of restricted Common Stock equal to (I) the quotient obtained by dividing (Y) the product of (i) $178,831.35 multiplied by (ii) the number of days between the date of the closing of the IPO and the Effective Date,
by (Z) the product obtained by multiplying (I) 365 by (II) the closing sales price of the Common Stock on the date of the closing of the IPO, as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, rounded down to the nearest whole share (the
“Additional RSA” and, together with the Option and the Initial RSA, the “Awards”). Each of the Initial RSA and Option shall vest according to the following terms: 25% of the Award will be vested upon
issuance and 25% of the Award will vest on each one-year anniversary of the date of issuance for the next three years, so long as Executive continues to provide continuous services to the Company through each applicable vesting date, inclusive. The
Additional RSA will be fully vested upon issuance. Each of the Awards will be subject to the terms and conditions of the 

  
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forthcoming Viking Therapeutics, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (as may be amended or restated from time to time, “Equity Incentive Plan”), including any required
agreements and/or grant documentation, and shall vest over the vesting schedule set forth in such Equity Incentive Plan or the applicable grant documents; provided that the vesting commencement date for the Awards shall be the Effective Date.
Following the grants of the Awards, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Equity Incentive Plan, any successor to such plan, and any other Company equity compensation plan established from time to time and generally made available by the
Company in its sole discretion to the Company’s senior executive officers. 
 (d) Benefits. During Executive’s employment,
Executive shall be entitled to accrue up to three (3) weeks of vacation annually (pro-rated for partial years), subject to Company policies as modified from time to time. Executive also shall be entitled to participate in all Company employee
welfare benefit plans and programs, to the same extent generally available to the Company’s senior executive officers, in accordance with the terms of those plans and programs. The Company shall have the right to terminate or change any such
plan or program at any time. 
 (e) Expenses. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary business
expenses that Executive incurs, in accordance with Company policy. Executive also shall have use of an entertainment and business development budget, the amount and terms of which shall be set by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its
discretion each year. Executive must account for all business, entertainment, and business development expenses, in accordance with Company policy. 

(f) Relocation Assistance. Executive shall receive relocation assistance in the form of a one-time cash payment of $8,000 from the
Company as reimbursement of certain expenses incurred by Executive in relocating from New York, New York to San Diego, California. 
 3.
Termination. 
 (a) Death. If Executive dies while employed under this Agreement, Executive’s employment shall terminate
immediately. 
 (b) By Company. 

(i) Non-Renewal of Agreement. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment by providing a timely Non-Renewal Notice, pursuant
to Section 1(a). 
 (ii) Termination for Cause. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment for Cause.
“Cause” shall include, but not be limited to a good faith determination by the Company that it has Cause to terminate Executive including for any of the following reasons: (a) conviction of a felony or other crime
involving moral turpitude; (b) the commission of any act against any member of the Company Group, constituting willful misconduct, dishonesty, fraud, theft, or embezzlement; (c) intentional or grossly negligent failure to follow the
directions of the CEO or the Board with respect to the material services, duties, or responsibilities required of Executive by the Company, which is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof to Executive; (d) breach of
a material employment policy of the 

  
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Company Group applicable to senior executive officers, which is material, which causes any member of the Company Group material harm, and which is not cured within thirty (30) days after
written notice thereof to Executive; or (e) any other breach of this Agreement that is material and that is not cured within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof to Executive. If Executive’s employment ends for any reason
other than discharge by the Company for Cause, but at a time when the Company, in its good faith belief, had Cause to terminate Executive (or would have had Cause if it knew all relevant facts), then Executive’s termination shall be treated as
a termination by the Company for Cause. 
 (iii) Disability. Except as prohibited by applicable law, the Company may terminate
Executive’s employment on account of Disability, or may transfer Executive to inactive employment status, which shall have the same effect under this Agreement as a termination for Disability. “Disability” means a
physical or mental illness, injury, or condition that prevents Executive from performing substantially all of Executive’s duties under this Agreement for at least 90 consecutive calendar days or for at least 120 calendar days, whether or not
consecutive, in any 365 calendar day period, or is likely to do so, as certified by a physician selected by the Board or the Compensation Committee. 

(iv) Termination Other Than for Non-Renewal, Cause, Disability or Death. Because Executive is an at-will employee, the Company may
terminate Executive’s employment at any time for any reason, and without advance notice. 
 (c) By Executive. 

(i) Non-Renewal of Agreement. Executive may terminate Executive’s employment by providing a timely Non-Renewal Notice, pursuant
to Section 1(a). 
 (ii) Resignation for Good Reason. Executive may resign Executive’s employment at any time if
“Good Reason” exists. “Good Reason” shall mean that, without Executive’s written consent, (i) there is a material diminution of Executive’s Base Salary (except in the event of a proportional reduction
in salaries of Company executives generally); or (ii) there is a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities. Executive acknowledges and agrees that completion of the IPO shall not constitute Good Reason.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no resignation shall be considered to have been for Good Reason unless Executive first gives the Company written notice of Executive’s intention to resign employment and specifies the grounds for such resignation
with reasonable particularity within ninety (90) days of the date such event occurs, the Company has not cured such event within thirty (30) days of its receipt of such notice, and Executive actually resigns Executive’s employment for
such reason within thirty (30) days after the end of the thirty (30) day cure period. The Company may cure at any time prior to Executive’s termination, and Executive may not resign for Good Reason on the noticed ground or grounds
once the Company has so cured. 
 (iii) Resignation other than for Good Reason. Because Executive is an at-will employee, Executive
may resign from employment with the Company at any time for any reason, and without advance notice; provided, however, that Executive covenants that he will provide at least 60 days’ written notice of resignation. 

  
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 (iv) Date of Non-Renewal / Resignation. If Executive provides a Non-Renewal Notice or
advance notice of resignation to the Company, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment prior to the applicable expiration date and/or noticed resignation date, and/or place Executive on an unpaid leave of absence during such time
period. Such termination and or leave of absence shall remain a non-renewal or resignation by Executive for purposes of this Agreement. 

4. Termination Payments. 

(a) Payments on Termination. Regardless of the reason Executive’s employment terminates, and except as expressly provided below in
this Section 4, Executive shall receive only (i) any unpaid Base Salary, business expense reimbursements, and accrued but unused vacation, through the Termination Date; and (ii) any other unpaid amounts due under Company benefit
plans, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans. 
 (b) Other Potential Payments On Termination. For avoidance of
doubt, if Executive is entitled to amounts under Section 5(c), Executive shall not be entitled to any amounts under this Section 4(b). 

(i) Non-Renewal by the Company. In the event that the Company terminates Executive’s employment by providing a timely Non-Renewal
Notice, pursuant to Section 1(a), and provided that Executive thereafter resigns employment within thirty (30) days after such notice, with an effective date of the end of the Initial Employment Period or the end of the Renewal Period, as
applicable, Executive shall receive the following amounts (the “3 Month Severance”), subject to satisfaction of the Release Requirement. 

1. Contingent on Executive’s compliance with Executive’s obligations under Sections 6-10, the Company shall continue to pay
Executive his Base Salary as of the Termination Date, for a period of three (3) months after the Termination Date, in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll schedule in effect on the Termination Date; 

2. Contingent on Executive’s compliance with Executive’s obligations under Sections 6-10, the Company shall pay Executive three
(3) monthly payments, each equal to 1/12 of the amount obtained by multiplying Executive’s target Annual Bonus percentage as of the Termination Date times Executive’s Base Salary as of the Termination Date, on the last day of each of
the three (3) months, commencing in the month following the Termination Date; 
 3. Subject to Executive’s timely election of
COBRA, the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the COBRA premiums, as of the Termination Date, for Executive and any dependents enrolled in the Company-sponsored non-FSA group health plans, for the lesser of (a) three
(3) months, or (b) until Executive first becomes eligible to enroll in another employer-sponsored group health plan; and 
 4.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Incentive Plan or any equity award documentation, with respect to the Awards: (a) outstanding equity awards that would have vested within three (3) months following the Termination
Date, if any, shall vest and become fully exercisable, if applicable, as of the Termination Date, and (b)

  
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Executive shall have three (3) months from the Termination Date to exercise vested options (unless they terminate sooner according to their terms), at which point such options shall
terminate if unexercised without compensation therefore (unless already terminated). Any portion of the Awards that were not vested on the Termination Date, after giving effect to the preceding sentence, shall terminate without compensation
therefore on the Termination Date. 
 (ii) Termination for Cause. Executive shall receive only the amounts set forth in
Section 4(a). 
 (iii) Disability. Executive shall receive the 3 Month Severance, subject to satisfaction of the Release
Requirement. 
 (iv) Death. Executive’s estate (“Estate”) shall receive the 3 Month Severance;
provided that the legal representative of the Estate satisfies the Release Requirement on behalf of the Estate. 
 (v)
Termination other than for Non-Renewal, Cause, Disability, or Death. Executive shall receive the following amounts (the “6 Month Severance”), subject to satisfaction of the Release Requirement: 

1. Contingent on Executive’s compliance with Executive’s obligations under Sections 6-10, the Company shall continue to pay
Executive his/her Base Salary as of the Termination Date, for a period of six (6) months after the Termination Date, in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll schedule in effect on the Termination Date; 

2. Contingent on Executive’s compliance with Executive’s obligations under Sections 6-10, the Company shall pay Executive six
(6) monthly payments, each equal to 1/12 of the amount obtained by multiplying Executive’s target Annual Bonus percentage as of the Termination Date times Executive’s Base Salary as of the Termination Date, on the last day of each of
the six (6) months, commencing in the month following the Termination Date; 
 3. Subject to Executive’s timely election of
COBRA, the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the COBRA premiums, as of the Termination Date, for Executive and any dependents enrolled in the Company-sponsored non-FSA group health plans, for the lesser of (a) six (6) months,
or (b) until Executive first becomes eligible to enroll in another employer-sponsored group health plan; and 
 4. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in the Equity Incentive Plan or any equity award documentation, with respect to the Awards: (a) outstanding equity awards that would have vested within six (6) months following the Termination Date, if any, shall
vest and become fully exercisable, if applicable, as of the Termination Date, and (b) Executive shall have six (6) months from the Termination Date to exercise vested options (unless they terminate sooner according to their terms), at
which point such options shall terminate if unexercised without compensation therefore (unless already terminated). Any portion of the Awards that were not vested on the Termination Date, after giving effect to the preceding sentence, shall
terminate without compensation therefore on the Termination Date. 

  
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 (vi) Non-Renewal by Executive. Executive shall receive only the amounts set forth in
Section 4(a). 
 (vii) Resignation for Good Reason. Executive shall receive the 6 Month Severance, subject to satisfaction of
the Release Requirement. 
 (viii) Resignation other than for Good Reason. Executive shall receive only the amounts set forth in
Section 4(a). 
 (c) Amounts Owed to the Company. Any amounts payable to Executive under Section 4(b) shall first be
applied to repay any amounts Executive owes the Company to the maximum extent permitted by law. 
 (d) Release Requirement. Executive
will only receive the payments due to Executive under Section 4(b) if Executive signs a general release (in the form furnished to Executive by the Company) within 45 days after the Termination Date, Executive does not thereafter properly revoke
the release, and that release has become effective and irrevocable in its entirety by the 60th day following the Termination Date (the “Release Requirement”). 

(e) Payment Timeframe. No payments under Section 4(b) shall commence until the 60th day after the Termination Date. Any amounts
that would have been paid during such 60-day period shall be paid with the first payment. 
 5. Change in Control. 

(a) Definition. A “Change in Control” of the Company shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Equity
Incentive Plan (as the Equity Incentive Plan may be amended or restated from time to time). 
 (b) Equity Treatment On Change In
Control. Upon a Change in Control during the Employment Period, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Incentive Plan or any associated equity award documentation, one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s outstanding
Awards that are unvested as of the Change in Control, if any, shall vest, and, if applicable, become fully exercisable immediately prior to the Change in Control. To the extent any vested equity awards held by Executive are not assumed and/or
substituted in the Change in Control transaction on a basis that does not diminish the in-the-money value of the award (if in the money at the time of the Change in Control) or the maximum exercise period, if applicable, the Company shall provide to
Executive cash on the Change in Control in exchange for the satisfaction and cancellation of such outstanding equity awards (based on the fair market value of shares underlying such awards on the date of the Change in Control). 

(c) Termination Payments In Connection With Change In Control. For avoidance of doubt, if Executive is entitled to amounts under
Section 4(b), Executive shall not be entitled to any amounts under this Section 5(c). 
 (i) Payments. If, within twenty
four (24) months following a Change in Control, the Company terminates Executive’s employment other than pursuant to a Non-Renewal Notice, or for Cause, Disability, or Death, or Executive resigns for Good Reason, then in lieu of any
amounts otherwise due under Section 4(b), Executive shall be entitled to the following payments, subject to the Release Requirement: 

  
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 1. Contingent on Executive’s compliance with Executive’s obligations under Sections
6-10, the Company shall continue to pay Executive the Base Salary as of the Termination Date, for a period of twelve (12) months after the Termination Date, in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll schedule in effect on the
Termination Date; 
 2. Contingent on Executive’s compliance with Executive’s obligations under Sections 6-10, the Company shall
pay Executive twelve (12) monthly payments, each equal to 1/12 of the amount obtained by multiplying Executive’s target Annual Bonus percentage as of the Termination Date times Executive’s Base Salary as of the Termination Date, on
the last day of each of the twelve (12) months, commencing in the month following the Termination Date; 
 3. Subject to
Executive’s timely election of COBRA, the Company shall pay Executive an amount equal to the COBRA premiums, as of the Termination Date, for Executive and any dependents enrolled in the Company-sponsored non-FSA group health plans, for the
lesser of (a) twelve (12) months, or (b) until Executive first becomes eligible to enroll in another employer-sponsored group health plan; and 

4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Incentive Plan or any equity award documentation, with respect to the Awards:
(a) outstanding equity awards that would have vested within twelve (12) months following the Termination Date, if any, shall vest and become fully exercisable, if applicable, as of the Termination Date, and (b) Executive shall have
twelve (12) months from the Termination Date to exercise vested options (unless they terminate sooner according to their terms), at which point such options shall terminate if unexercised without compensation therefore (unless already
terminated). Any portion of the Awards that were not vested on the Termination Date, after giving effect to the preceding sentence, shall terminate without compensation therefore on the Termination Date. 

(ii) Amounts Owed to the Company. Any amounts payable to Executive under Section 5(c) shall first be applied to repay any amounts
Executive owes the Company to the maximum extent permitted by law. 
 (iii) Release Requirement. Executive will only receive the
payments due to Executive under Section 5(c) if Executive satisfies the Release Requirement. 
 (iv) Payment Timeframe. No
payments under Section 5(c) shall commence until the 60th day after the Termination Date. Any amounts that would have been paid during such 60-day period shall be paid with the first payment installment. 

6. Protection of Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that Executive currently possesses or will acquire secret,
confidential, or proprietary information or trade secrets concerning the products, operations, future plans, or business methods of the Company Group (“Confidential Information”). That certain Employee Confidential
Information and Invention Assignment Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2012, by and between the Company and Executive (as may be amended or restated from time to time) is incorporated into this Agreement by reference. 

  
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 7. Non-Disparagement by Executive. Executive agrees not to criticize, denigrate, or
otherwise disparage the Company, any member of the Company Group, or any of their officers, directors, employees, service providers, distributors, clients, products, processes, experiments, policies, practices, standards of business conduct, or
areas or techniques of research. However, nothing in this Section shall prohibit Executive from complying with any lawful subpoena or court order or taking any other actions affirmatively authorized by law.  

8. Efforts; Duty Not to Compete. Executive understands that his employment with the Company requires Executive’s undivided
attention and effort. As a result, during Executive’s employment, Executive will not, without the Company’s express written consent, engage in any other employment or business that (i) directly competes with the current or future
business of the Company Group; (ii) uses any Company Group information, equipment, supplies, facilities or materials; or (iii) otherwise conflicts with the Company Group’s business interest and causes a disruption of its
operations. 
 9. Non-Solicitation of Employees/Consultants. During Executive’s employment with the Company and
for a period of one (1) year thereafter, Executive will not directly or indirectly solicit employees or consultants of the Company Group to terminate their relationship with the Company Group for Executive’s own benefit or for the benefit
of any other person or entity. 
 10. Non-Solicitation of Suppliers/Customers. During and after the termination of
Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will not directly or indirectly solicit or otherwise take away customers or suppliers of the Company Group if, in so doing, Executive accesses, uses or discloses any trade secrets or
proprietary or Confidential Information of the Company Group. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company Group’s lists of customers and suppliers, including their buying and selling habits and special needs, whether created or obtained
by, or disclosed to me during Executive’s employment, constitute Confidential Information of the Company Group. 
 11.
Disputes 
 (a) Governing Law and Venue. The validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement shall be
governed by the laws of the State of California (excluding any that mandates the use of another jurisdiction’s laws). The enforcement of an arbitration award, or any other action in connection with this Agreement, only may be brought in the
courts of the County of San Diego, State of California or federal courts situated within the County of San Diego, State of California. 

(b) Arbitration of Disputes. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, and excluding those disputes that cannot be arbitrated as
a matter of law (including, but not limited to, workers’ compensation claims and any claim relating to a benefit plan subject to ERISA), all disputes between the Company or any member of the Company Group electing to arbitrate and Executive,
are to be resolved by final and binding arbitration in San Diego County, 

  
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California, pursuant to the employment arbitration rules then in effect for JAMS (a copy of which will be provided to Executive by the Company, at Executive’s request), in accordance with
the separate Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate Claims, dated as of even date herewith, by and between the Company and Executive, which is incorporated into this Agreement by reference. 

(c) Legal Fees. To the extent permitted by applicable law, and except as otherwise provided herein, each party is responsible for its
own legal fees in connection with this Agreement and any enforcement thereof. 
 12. Taxes. The Company shall withhold taxes and
other amounts from payments it makes pursuant to this Agreement as it determines to be required by applicable law. 
 13.
Excise Tax. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by Executive (including any payment or benefit received in connection with a change in
control of the Company or the termination of Executive’s employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, program, arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and benefits, together, the “Total
Payments”) would be subject (in whole or part), to any excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto (the “Excise Tax”), then, after taking into
account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, program, arrangement or agreement, the Company will reduce the Total Payments to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total
Payments is subject to the Excise Tax (but in no event to less than zero); provided, however, that the Total Payments will only be reduced if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount
of federal, state, municipal and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments), is greater than or equal to
(ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state, municipal and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which Executive would be subject
in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments). 

(a) In the case of a reduction in the Total Payments, the Total Payments will be reduced in the following order (unless reduction in another
order is required to avoid adverse consequences under Section 409A, in which case, reduction will be in such other order): (i) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1,
Q&A 24(a) will be reduced (if necessary, to zero), with amounts that are payable last reduced first; (ii) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at full value under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A
24(a), with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; (iii) payments that are payable in cash that are valued at less than full value under
Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with amounts that are payable last reduced first, will next be reduced; (iv) payments and benefits due in respect of any equity valued at less than full value under Treasury Regulation
Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24, with the highest values reduced first (as such values are determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1, Q&A 24) will next be reduced; and (v) all other non-cash benefits not otherwise


  
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described in clauses (ii) or (iv) will be next reduced pro-rata. Any reductions made pursuant to each of clauses (i)-(v) above will be made in the following manner: first, a
pro-rata reduction of cash payment and payments and benefits due in respect of any equity not subject to Section 409A, and second, a pro-rata reduction of cash payments and payments and benefits due in respect of any equity subject to
Section 409A as deferred compensation. 
 (b) For purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be
subject to the Excise Tax: (i) no portion of the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which Executive shall have waived at such time and in such manner as not to constitute a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)
of the Code will be taken into account; (ii) no portion of the Total Payments will be taken into account which, in the opinion of tax counsel (“Tax Counsel”) reasonably acceptable to Executive and selected by the
accounting firm which was, immediately prior to the change in control, the Company’s independent auditor (the “Auditor”), does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)
of the Code (including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total Payments will be taken into account which, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, constitutes reasonable compensation
for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the “base amount” (as set forth in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) that is allocable to such reasonable compensation; and
(iii) the value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments will be determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. 

14. Section 409A. 
 (a) To
the extent applicable, it is intended that the Agreement comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”). The Agreement will be administered and interpreted in
a manner consistent with this intent, and any provision that would cause the Agreement to fail to satisfy Section 409A will have no force and effect until amended to comply therewith (which amendment may be retroactive to the extent permitted
by Section 409A). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment with the Company for purposes of the Agreement and no payments shall be due to Executive under the
Agreement which are payable upon Executive’s termination of employment unless Executive would be considered to have incurred a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Section 409A and the phrase
“termination of employment” or similar phrases shall be construed to mean a “separation from service.” To the extent required in order to avoid accelerated taxation and/or tax penalties under Section 409A, during any time in
which stock of the Company is publicly-traded on any established securities market or otherwise (and pursuant to which Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) applies and not excepted under applicable Treasury Regulations), amounts that would otherwise be
payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Agreement during the six-month period immediately following Executive’s termination of employment shall instead be paid on the first business day after the date that is six
months following Executive’s termination of employment (or upon Executive’s death, if earlier). In addition, for purposes of the Agreement, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided to Executive pursuant to the Agreement shall be
construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A. With respect to expenses eligible for reimbursement 

  
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under the terms of the Agreement, (i) the amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement in any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in another taxable
year and (ii) any reimbursements of such expenses shall be made no later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the related expenses were incurred, except, in each case, to the extent that the right to
reimbursement does not provide for a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A. 
 (b) The Company does
not hereby or otherwise represent or warrant that any payments hereunder are or will be in compliance with Section 409A, and Executive shall be responsible for obtaining Executive’s own tax advice with regard to such matters. In no event
shall the Company have any liability related to any payment or benefit under this Agreement failing to comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. 

15. Clawback. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Executive may be required to forfeit or repay any or all compensation
received by Executive under this Agreement pursuant to the terms of any compensation recovery or clawback requirement, or policy that may be adopted by or applicable to the Company, under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. 
 16. Other Terms. 

(a) Notice. Any notice, demand, claim or other communication under this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been
given (a) on delivery if delivered personally; (b) on the date on which delivery thereof is guaranteed by the carrier if delivered by a national courier guaranteeing delivery within a fixed number of days of sending; or (c) on the
date of transmission thereof if delivery is confirmed, but, in each case, only if addressed to the Parties in the following manner at the following addresses (or at the other address as a Party may specify by notice to the other): to the Company, to
the attention of the Chairperson of the Board and the CEO at its principal executive offices, and to Executive, at Executive’s principal residence as set forth in the employment records of the Company. 

(b) Amendment. Except as provided herein or as required to remain compliant with applicable law, no provisions of this Agreement may be
modified, waived, or discharged except by a written document signed on the Company’s behalf by the CEO, and by Executive in his personal capacity. 

(c) Waiver. A waiver of any conditions or provisions of this Agreement or any breach by any party hereto in a given instance shall not
be deemed a waiver of such conditions or provisions at any other time. 
 (d) Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and
shall inure to the benefit of, Executive the Estate, but Executive may not assign or pledge this Agreement or any rights arising under it, except to the extent permitted under the terms of the Company plans in which Executive participates. Without
Executive’s consent, the Company may assign this Agreement to any successor-in-interest to the Company (a “Successor”) or Affiliate that agrees in writing to be bound by this Agreement, after which any reference to the
“Company” in this Agreement shall be deemed to be a reference to such Successor or Affiliate, and the Company thereafter shall have no further responsibility or liability under this Agreement of any kind. 

  
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 (e) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect. 

(f) Headings. The headings set forth herein are included solely for the purpose of identification and shall not be used for the purpose
of construing the meaning of the provisions of this Agreement. 
 (g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute the same instrument. 
 (h)
Resignation from All Positions. Upon the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, unless otherwise requested by the Company, Executive shall resign, as of the date of such termination, from all positions he
then holds as an officer, director, employee and member of the Board (and any committee thereof) of the Company and its Affiliates. Executive agrees to execute and deliver to the Company such writings as are required to effectuate the foregoing.

 (i) Entire Agreement. All oral or written agreements or representations, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter of
this Agreement are set forth in this Agreement. However, this Agreement does not override other written agreements Executive has executed relating to specific aspects of Executive’s employment, such as conflicts of interest. 

(j) Former Employers. Executive is not subject to any employment, confidentiality, or other agreement or restriction that would prevent
Executive from fully satisfying Executive’s duties under this Agreement or that would be violated if Executive did so. Without the Company’s prior written approval, Executive covenants that Executive will not: (i) disclose proprietary
information belonging to a former employer or other entity without its written permission; (ii) contact any former employer’s customers or employees to solicit their business or employment on behalf of the Company, in either case if such
contact or solicitation would violate any agreement between Executive and any prior employer of Executive; or (iii) distribute announcements about or otherwise publicize Executive’s employment with the Company. Executive will indemnify and
hold the Company harmless from any liabilities or costs, including attorneys’ fees it may incur because Executive is alleged to have broken any of these promises or improperly revealed or used such proprietary information or to have threatened
to do so, or if a former employer challenges Executive’s entering into this Agreement or rendering services pursuant to it. 
 (k)
Survivability. The provisions of Sections 4-16 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement. 
 (l) Communication
with Government Agencies. Nothing in this Agreement precludes Executive from filing an administrative charge or otherwise communicating with any federal, state, or local government office, official, or agency. 

  
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 (m) Section References. Unless otherwise provided, references to a “Section” or
to “Sections” in this Agreement shall refer to the Section or Sections, respectively, of this Agreement. 
 (n) Right to
Negotiation. Executive acknowledges that Executive has been given the opportunity to consult with legal counsel or any other advisor of Executive’s own choosing regarding this Agreement. Executive understands and agrees that any attorney
retained by the Company or any member of management who has discussed any term or condition of this Agreement with Executive or Executive’s advisor is only acting on behalf of the Company and not on Executive’s behalf. Executive hereby
acknowledges that Executive has been given the opportunity to participate in the negotiation of the terms of this Agreement. 
 (o)
Executive’s Understanding of Agreement. Executive acknowledges and confirms that Executive has read this Agreement and fully understands its terms and contents. Executive further acknowledges that all understandings and agreements
between the Company and Executive relating to the subjects covered in this Agreement are contained in it and that Executive has entered into this Agreement voluntarily and not in reliance on any promises or representations by the Company other than
those contained in this Agreement itself. Executive understands that by signing this Agreement Executive is giving up Executive’s right to a jury trial. 
  

							
	Date: May 15, 2014	 		 	VIKING THERAPEUTICS, INC.
				
		 		 	By:	 	 /s/ Brian Lian, Ph.D.

		 		 	Name:	 	Brian Lian, Ph.D.
		 		 	Title:	 	Chief Executive Officer
			
	Date: May 15, 2014	 		 	 /s/ Michael Dinerman, M.D.

		 		 	Michael Dinerman, M.D.


  
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