Chronic weight management in adults with obesity
Amount
Dose-escalating (exact levels not fully disclosed)
Frequency
Once weekly (SC) or once daily (oral)
Duration
13 weeks (Phase 2); longer in Phase 3
Route
SCSchedule
Once weekly (subcutaneous formulation)
Timing
Dose escalation used to mitigate GI adverse events. Oral formulation does not require strict fasting conditions unlike oral semaglutide.
Duration
13 weeks (Phase 2); Phase 3 ongoing
Repeatable
Yes
Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c
When: Baseline
Why: Baseline metabolic assessment
Lipid panel
When: Baseline
Why: Baseline cardiovascular risk factors
CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel)
When: Baseline and periodic
Why: Monitor liver and kidney function
Body weight
When: Baseline and weekly
Why: Monitor weight loss response
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VK2735 is a dual glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist peptide developed by Viking Therapeutics for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders. Like tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound), VK2735 activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors to produce weight loss and metabolic improvements through complementary hormonal pathways.
A distinguishing feature of VK2735 is its parallel development in both subcutaneous injectable and oral tablet formulations. The oral formulation does not require the strict fasting conditions needed for oral semaglutide (Rybelsus), which could provide a significant convenience advantage.
VK2735 advanced rapidly through clinical development, with Phase 2 data showing up to 14.7% weight loss in just 13 weeks of subcutaneous treatment (with no plateau observed), leading to initiation of the Phase 3 VANQUISH program.
VK2735 is a dual agonist that activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors:
GLP-1 receptor activation:
GIP receptor activation:
The dual GLP-1/GIP mechanism provides additive or synergistic effects on weight loss and metabolic improvement beyond selective GLP-1 agonism alone, as demonstrated by the superior efficacy of tirzepatide over semaglutide in the SURPASS-2 head-to-head trial.
The VENTURE trial enrolled 176 adults with obesity or overweight, randomized to weekly subcutaneous VK2735 at escalating dose cohorts or placebo for 13 weeks. The highest dose cohort achieved 14.7% mean weight loss from baseline (13.1% placebo-adjusted) with 88% achieving 10% or more weight loss. Weight loss was progressive throughout the 13-week treatment period with no plateau observed.
The oral tablet formulation of VK2735 was evaluated in a Phase 2 trial, achieving up to 12.2% weight loss over 13 weeks. This demonstrates that VK2735 can be effectively absorbed orally, providing an alternative for patients who prefer oral medication.
Two Phase 3 trials are underway:
Phase 2 VENTURE Trial: Subcutaneous VK2735 for Obesity, published in Obesity (journal presentation) (Viking Therapeutics (conference presentation), 2024):
We summarize new studies, safety updates, and dosing insights โ delivered biweekly.
See real-world usage patterns alongside the clinical evidence above. Community-sourced, not clinically verified.
0View community protocolsCT-388: Roche/Carmot signal-biased dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist for obesity. Phase 2 showed 22.5% weight loss at 48 weeks. Phase 3 planned for 2026.
Mazdutide: Dual GLP-1/glucagon agonist approved in China for obesity. Covers up to 20% weight loss in trials, mechanism, dosing, and side effects.
Retatrutide: Triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon agonist with up to 24% weight loss. Covers mechanism, Phase 2/3 trial data, dosing, and side effects.
Semaglutide: FDA-approved GLP-1 agonist for weight loss and diabetes. Covers STEP/SUSTAIN trials, Ozempic vs Wegovy dosing, and cardiovascular benefits.
This website is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using any peptide or supplement.
Orforglipron has the stronger evidence base with completed phase 3 trials (ATTAIN program) and NEJM publication. VK2735 has only phase 2 oral data but showed faster weight loss in a shorter timeframe and offers dual GLP-1/GIP agonism versus orforglipron's single GLP-1 target. Both represent the future of oral obesity treatment. Orforglipron's small-molecule design eliminates the need for special oral delivery technology, while VK2735's dual mechanism may provide enhanced efficacy. VK2735's additional injectable formulation provides a flexibility advantage. Neither is yet approved.
Semaglutide is the clear choice for patients who need treatment today, with FDA approval, proven cardiovascular benefit, and over 7 years of safety data. VK2735 shows promising early results, with rapid weight loss in short-term phase 2 trials that suggest it could be competitive with established agents. Its dual GLP-1/GIP mechanism and development of both injectable and oral formulations position it as a potential future competitor, but it remains years from potential approval and lacks long-term efficacy and safety data.
Tirzepatide is the proven choice with robust phase 3 data showing up to 20.9% weight loss and FDA approval for both diabetes and obesity. VK2735 shares the same dual agonist class but is years behind in development, with only short-term phase 2 data. VK2735's key differentiator is its oral formulation, which showed competitive weight loss in phase 2 and could give it a meaningful advantage over injectable-only tirzepatide if confirmed in phase 3. Both target the same GLP-1/GIP dual receptor mechanism, making this a direct class competitor comparison.
A comprehensive guide to every GLP-1 receptor agonist drug, from FDA-approved semaglutide and tirzepatide to pipeline therapies like retatrutide, amycretin, MariTide, and oral orforglipron.
Every GLP-1 and incretin drug ranked by clinical weight loss data as of 2026, from retatrutide at 28.7% to oral orforglipron at 11.2%, with comparison tables and trial details.
A comprehensive guide to every oral GLP-1 obesity drug in development, from approved oral semaglutide to pipeline agents orforglipron, aleniglipron, VK2735, ribupatide, and amycretin.
A head-to-head comparison of oral and injectable GLP-1 drugs for obesity, including oral semaglutide, orforglipron, aleniglipron, and VK2735 versus their injectable counterparts.
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