Viking Therapeutics reported that the peer‑reviewed journal Obesity has published the results of its Phase 2 VENTURE trial of the dual GLP‑1/GIP agonist VK2735. The study evaluated three subcutaneous dose levels—7.5 mg, 12.5 mg, and 17.5 mg—over 13 weekly injections and demonstrated a mean body‑weight reduction of up to 14.7 % from baseline, with no evidence of a plateau in weight loss over the treatment period.
The safety profile was favorable: most treatment‑emergent adverse events were mild or moderate, and discontinuation rates were comparable to placebo. In the subcutaneous cohort, 20 % of participants discontinued due to adverse events versus 13 % in the placebo group, while nausea was reported by 58 % of VK2735 recipients compared to 48 % of placebo patients. These data confirm that VK2735 met both its primary endpoint of weight loss and its secondary endpoints of safety and tolerability.
Viking’s management highlighted that the robust efficacy and safety outcomes reinforce the company’s position as a leading candidate in the obesity market and provide a strong scientific foundation for the Phase 3 VANQUISH program. CEO Brian Lian noted that the VENTURE results “are central to the design of the ongoing VANQUISH Phase 3 program for VK2735” and that the company is “over‑enrolled” in VANQUISH‑1 with VANQUISH‑2 expected to complete enrollment in the first quarter of 2026.
The Phase 2 VENTURE trial is part of a dual‑track development strategy that also includes an oral formulation. Earlier in 2025, Viking announced Phase 2 oral results showing up to 12.2 % weight loss after 13 weeks of dosing. The combination of injectable and oral options is intended to enhance patient adherence and broaden the drug’s market appeal.
In the competitive landscape, VK2735’s weight‑loss efficacy rivals that of established GLP‑1 agonists such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, while its dual GLP‑1/GIP mechanism may offer additional metabolic benefits. The publication of the Phase 2 data is expected to strengthen investor confidence in Viking’s pipeline and support the company’s valuation as it moves toward regulatory approval and commercialization.
The results also provide critical data for the design of the Phase 3 VANQUISH trials, which will enroll thousands of patients over 78 weeks to evaluate long‑term efficacy, safety, and durability of weight loss. Successful Phase 3 outcomes could position VK2735 as a first‑in‑class obesity therapy and potentially expand Viking’s revenue streams beyond the obesity indication into type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
The publication of the Phase 2 data is a key milestone that confirms the drug’s clinical promise and supports the company’s strategic trajectory toward market entry. It also signals to the broader medical community that Viking’s dual agonist platform is advancing through the clinical development pipeline with strong evidence of efficacy and tolerability.
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