Viking Therapeutics, Inc. Presents Data from its 13-Week Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing Trial of VK2735

Published: 2026-05-12 09:50:28 ET VKTX

Published on 05/12/2026 at 09:50 am EDT

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. presented additional data from its Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing trial evaluating the oral tablet formulation of VK2735 at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Istanbul, Türkiye. VK2735 is a dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, in development with subcutaneous and oral formulations for the potential treatment of various metabolic disorders. The poster presented now at ECO 2026 highlighted key findings from previously reported trial data, including mean change from baseline in body weight throughout the 13-week treatment period and additional safety and tolerability data, for the Phase 2 study of orally administered VK2735.

Participants receiving once-daily oral VK2735 demonstrated statistically significant, dose-dependent weight loss from baseline of up to 12.2% (26.6 lbs) at 13 weeks across all dose cohorts. Compared with placebo, doses >15 mg demonstrated dose-dependent and progressive weight loss starting early in treatment and continuing through the 13-week treatment window, with no plateau. Up to 97% of VK2735-treated participants achieved =5% weight loss, and up to 80% achieved =10%, compared with 10% and 5%, respectively, for placebo.

VK2735 was well tolerated, with the vast majority of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) reported as mild or moderate in severity. These events typically occurred early in treatment and resolved with continued dosing. The study population was similar to patients typically encountered in clinical practice, with an average BMI of 37 and average age of 51 years.

Similar to patients seen in clinical practice, there was a high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors, including pre-diabetes (54%). Across all dose cohorts, the male-to-female ratio ranged from 15:85 to 45:55. Highlights from Viking's poster titled Treatment with Oral VK2735 Results in Significant Weight Loss: The Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Finding VENTURE-2 Study include: Early and progressive weight loss.

Patients receiving VK2735 experienced statistically significant reductions in body weight compared with placebo, beginning as early as Week 1 at all doses greater than 15 mg, with continuous and progressive weight loss observed throughout the 13-week treatment period. No plateau observed. Weight loss trajectories demonstrate continued downward trends across all active dose levels through Week 13, supporting the potential for continued weight reduction with longer-duration treatment.

Dose-dependent efficacy. Weight loss increased with escalating doses of VK2735, with the highest dose achieving a mean reduction of up to 12.2% of body weight from baseline at Week 13. Favorable tolerability profile.

Among subjects receiving VK2735, the majority (98%) of reported drug-related TEAEs were categorized as mild or moderate in severity. Gastrointestinal-related events were the most commonly observed TEAEs and were consistent with dual agonist GLP-1/GIP receptors, typically occurring early in treatment and subsiding with continued dosing. Progressive titration enabled tolerability.

Dose escalation in 30 mg increments enabled rapid progression to higher dose levels with an encouraging tolerability profile, and gastrointestinal events diminished over time. Lower starting doses and longer titration windows may further improve tolerability.