VK2735 is Viking Therapeutics' dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, developed in both subcutaneous and oral formulations as a next-generation obesity peptide candidate. The molecule's mechanism — dual incretin agonism — is the same architecture as Lilly's tirzepatide, positioning VK2735 as the most direct branded-Zepbound competitor in Phase 3 development.
The Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral 13-week trial in adults with obesity reported full data at ECO 2026 on May 12, 2026: once-daily oral VK2735 produced statistically significant, dose-dependent weight loss up to 12.2% (26.6 lbs) at 13 weeks with early Week 1 onset and a favorable tolerability profile. The Phase 3 subcutaneous program is anchored on VANQUISH-1, which enrolled approximately 4,650 adults with obesity in November 2025, and VANQUISH-2, which completed enrollment of ~1,000 T2D + obesity patients on March 26, 2026. Viking plans to initiate a Phase 3 trial of the oral formulation in Q4 2026 following positive FDA feedback.
Stories here cover VENTURE and VANQUISH trial readouts, regulatory milestones, and competitive positioning against tirzepatide, MET-097i, and CT-388/enicepatide. See #viking-therapeutics, #dual-agonist, and #oral-glp-1.
Viking Therapeutics presented full 13-week Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral data at ECO 2026 May 12 in Istanbul: once-daily oral VK2735 produced statistically significant, dose-dependent mean weight loss up to 12.2% (26.6 lbs) over 13 weeks with placebo-adjusted significance starting at Week 1. The favorable tolerability profile and rapid early onset of effect support Viking's Q4 2026 plan to initiate a Phase 3 trial of the oral formulation following positive FDA feedback. The data complements the Phase 3 VANQUISH-1 subcutaneous program (4,650 patients enrolled November 2025) and VANQUISH-2 in T2D+obesity (~1,000 patients, enrollment completed March 26, 2026). VK2735's dual GLP-1/GIP mechanism puts it in direct comparison with tirzepatide and the next-generation Mounjaro/Zepbound franchise.
Viking Therapeutics announced two poster presentations at ECO 2026 in Istanbul (May 12-15) on its VK2735 dual GLP-1/GIP agonist program. The first poster details 13-week efficacy and safety data from the Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral trial of oral VK2735, supporting Viking's Q4 2026 plan to launch a Phase 3 trial of the oral formulation following positive FDA feedback. The second poster details Phase 3 VANQUISH-1 design and enrollment demographics for subcutaneous VK2735, which completed enrollment of approximately 4,650 adults with obesity in November 2025. VANQUISH-2 (subcutaneous VK2735 in T2D + obesity, ~1,000 adults) completed enrollment March 26, 2026. Posters display May 12-15 with networking sessions Thursday May 14 18:00-19:15 TRT.
Viking enrolled ~1,000 adults in the 78-week trial of VK2735, a GLP-1/GIP dual agonist. Phase 2 showed up to 14.7% body weight reduction in just 13 weeks.