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VK2735: Research & Studies

Scientific evidence, clinical trials, and research findings

Evidence Level: moderate
✓Reviewed byDr. Research Team(MD (composite credential representing medical review team), PhD in Pharmacology)
📅Updated February 12, 2026
Verified

📌TL;DR

  • •3 clinical studies cited
  • •Overall evidence level: moderate
  • •7 research gaps identified
Evidence pyramid for VK2735 research
Overview of evidence quality and study types

Research Studies

Phase 2 VENTURE Trial: Subcutaneous VK2735 for Obesity

Viking Therapeutics (conference presentation) (2024) • Obesity (journal presentation)

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial of weekly subcutaneous VK2735 in 176 adults with obesity or overweight over 13 weeks.

Key Findings

  • Highest dose cohort: 14.7% mean weight loss from baseline at 13 weeks
  • 13.1% placebo-adjusted weight loss in highest dose group
  • 88% of highest-dose patients achieved 10% or more weight loss
  • Progressive weight loss throughout 13 weeks with no plateau observed
  • Dose-dependent weight loss across multiple dose cohorts
  • 95% of treatment-emergent adverse events were GI-related, mostly mild to moderate

Limitations: Short 13-week treatment durationRelatively small sample size (176 patients total across all cohorts)Full peer-reviewed publication not yet available in PubMedExact dose levels not fully disclosed

Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Trial: Oral VK2735 for Obesity

Viking Therapeutics (conference presentation) (2024) • Conference presentation

Phase 2 trial evaluating once-daily oral tablet VK2735 in adults with obesity or overweight over 13 weeks.

Key Findings

  • Highest dose group: up to 12.2% weight loss at 13 weeks
  • Oral formulation does not require strict fasting conditions
  • Demonstrates meaningful oral bioavailability for a peptide-based therapeutic
  • GI adverse events were the most common side effects

Limitations: Short 13-week durationFull peer-reviewed publication not availableCross-trial comparison with SC formulation limited by different study designs

Phase 3 VANQUISH-1: Subcutaneous VK2735 in Obesity

Viking Therapeutics (2025) • ClinicalTrials.gov

Large Phase 3 trial of subcutaneous VK2735 in adults with obesity. Enrollment of over 4,500 patients was completed. Results pending.

Key Findings

  • Enrollment completed with over 4,500 patients
  • Largest VK2735 trial to date
  • Results expected to support potential regulatory filing

Limitations: Results not yet reportedTrial design details not fully publicly disclosed

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Research timeline for VK2735
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🔍Research Gaps & Future Directions

  • •Long-term efficacy and safety data beyond 13 weeks not yet available
  • •Phase 3 results pending for both subcutaneous and oral formulations
  • •Cardiovascular outcomes data not available
  • •Exact molecular structure and receptor binding characteristics not publicly disclosed
  • •Head-to-head comparisons with tirzepatide or semaglutide not conducted
  • •Effects on metabolic parameters (HbA1c, lipids, liver fat) not fully characterized
  • •Durability of weight loss after treatment discontinuation unknown

Research Overview#

VK2735 clinical evidence is based primarily on Phase 2 data from the VENTURE (subcutaneous) and VENTURE-Oral trials conducted by Viking Therapeutics. Both trials demonstrated clinically meaningful weight loss over 13 weeks, leading to the initiation of the Phase 3 VANQUISH program. Peer-reviewed publications with full data have not yet appeared in PubMed-indexed journals.

Phase 2 VENTURE Trial (Subcutaneous)#

The VENTURE trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolling 176 adults with obesity or overweight (BMI 30+ or 27+ with comorbidity). Participants received weekly subcutaneous VK2735 at escalating dose cohorts or placebo for 13 weeks.

Key Results#

  • Primary endpoint: The highest dose cohort achieved 14.7% mean weight loss from baseline (13.1% placebo-adjusted)
  • Responder analysis: 88% of patients in the highest dose group achieved at least 10% weight loss
  • No plateau: Weight loss was progressive throughout the 13-week treatment period with no evidence of plateau, suggesting further weight loss with continued treatment
  • Dose response: Weight loss was dose-dependent across cohorts

Safety in VENTURE#

  • 95% of treatment-emergent adverse events were GI-related
  • Most GI events were mild to moderate
  • Discontinuation rate due to adverse events was low
  • No serious safety signals reported

Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Trial#

The oral tablet formulation of VK2735 was evaluated in a separate Phase 2 trial with once-daily dosing over 13 weeks.

Key Results#

  • Highest dose group achieved up to 12.2% weight loss at 13 weeks
  • Oral formulation does not require strict fasting conditions (unlike oral semaglutide)
  • Demonstrates that VK2735 can achieve clinically meaningful systemic exposure via oral administration

Significance#

Achieving 12.2% weight loss with an oral formulation at 13 weeks is noteworthy. For comparison, oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) achieves approximately 7-10% weight loss at higher doses over longer treatment periods, though direct comparison is limited by different trial designs.

Phase 3 VANQUISH Program#

Viking Therapeutics initiated the Phase 3 VANQUISH program based on the Phase 2 results:

  • VANQUISH-1: Enrolling over 4,500 patients with obesity for subcutaneous VK2735
  • VANQUISH-2: Additional Phase 3 trial (details pending)

Phase 3 results are expected to provide the data needed for potential regulatory filing.

Evidence Quality Assessment#

The current evidence base for VK2735 is moderate:

Strengths:

  • Randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 design
  • Consistent dose-response relationship
  • Clinically meaningful weight loss in both formulations
  • Large Phase 3 program initiated

Limitations:

  • Only 13-week Phase 2 data available
  • No peer-reviewed publications indexed in PubMed
  • Phase 3 results not yet reported
  • No head-to-head comparisons with approved therapies
  • No cardiovascular outcomes data

Research Gaps#

Key areas where additional data are needed:

  1. Long-term efficacy: Weight loss trajectory beyond 13 weeks
  2. Phase 3 results: Pivotal trial data from VANQUISH program
  3. Metabolic effects: HbA1c, lipid, and liver fat outcomes
  4. Cardiovascular outcomes: No CVOT data planned or available
  5. Comparator data: No head-to-head trials versus tirzepatide or semaglutide
  6. Weight regain: Durability of weight loss after discontinuation
  7. Molecular characterization: Receptor binding profiles not publicly available

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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.

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