VK2735

updated

VK2735 is an investigational dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors from Viking Therapeutics, with no approval anywhere. Its only peer-reviewed efficacy result is a 13-week phase 2 trial in 176 adults, with mean weight loss of 9.1% to 14.7% across four doses versus 1.7% on placebo. The injectable phase 3 program is fully enrolled and the oral tablet has phase 3 registrations, but no phase 3 result exists as of 10 October 2026.

GLP-1 and GIP receptor dual agonist (investigational)

  • VK2735 is Viking Therapeutics' dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, developed as a subcutaneous injection and an oral tablet. No nonproprietary name appears in any record reviewed, and PubChem returned no compound record on 10 October 2026.
  • In VENTURE (176 adults with obesity, or overweight with a comorbidity, and no diabetes; weekly subcutaneous VK2735 for 13 weeks), mean weight loss ranged from 9.1% at 2.5 mg to 14.7% at 15 mg versus 1.7% on placebo. Each figure is that group's own mean percent change in body weight, not placebo-adjusted, and the estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed.
  • In VENTURE, adverse events led 7 of 35 participants (20%) at 15 mg to stop treatment versus none on placebo, and nausea was reported by 63% at 15 mg versus 20% on placebo.
  • The injectable phase 3 trials VANQUISH-1 (NCT07104500, estimated 4,500 adults without type 2 diabetes) and VANQUISH-2 (NCT07104383, estimated 1,100 adults with type 2 diabetes) are Active, not recruiting, with no posted results. Viking's 10-Q filed on 29 July 2026 says enrollment is complete in both.
  • The company reported on 19 August 2025 that oral VK2735 at 120 mg gave a weight change of -12.2% from baseline at week 13 (placebo-adjusted -10.9%), with overall treatment discontinuation of 38% versus 18% on placebo. No peer-reviewed report of the oral tablet was found.
  • Two oral phase 3 trials, SUNRISE 1 (NCT07868835) and SUNRISE 2 (NCT07868939), were first posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 9 October 2026 and are not yet recruiting. Viking's 10-Q says it expects to start oral phase 3 dosing studies in the fourth quarter of 2026.

What is VK2735, and is it approved anywhere?

VK2735 is Viking Therapeutics' investigational dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, in subcutaneous and oral tablet forms. No approval in any jurisdiction was found: openFDA and DailyMed searches on 10 October 2026 returned no application record and no label.

VK2735 is Viking Therapeutics' dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, developed in subcutaneous and oral tablet formulations. Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is the sponsor named on the ClinicalTrials.gov record for the injectable phase 3 trial VANQUISH-1 (NCT07104500), and its SEC filings name it as the developer. The registry entries, the VENTURE paper and Viking's 10-Q filed on 29 July 2026 all use the code VK2735 alone, and no nonproprietary name appears in any of them. A PubChem name search for VK2735 and VK-2735 returned no compound record on 10 October 2026, so no formula, molecular weight or sequence is given here.

A search of openFDA Drugs@FDA for VK2735 on 10 October 2026 returned no application records, and a DailyMed search returned no labels. The same DailyMed search returns tirzepatide labels, so the search itself works. Viking's 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 states that no pivotal trial has yet been completed with any of its drug candidates.

Registry record NCT07104500: Viking sponsor, no nonproprietary name

Trial registry record

ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Record NCT07104500 (VANQUISH-1), with Viking Therapeutics SEC filings. Read on 10 October 2026.

VK2735 is Viking Therapeutics' dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, developed in subcutaneous and oral tablet formulations. Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is the sponsor named on this record, and its SEC filings name it as the developer. No nonproprietary name appears in any record reviewed: the registry entries, the VENTURE paper and Viking's 10-Q filed on 29 July 2026 all use the code alone. A PubChem name search for VK2735 and VK-2735 returned no compound record on 10 October 2026.

Participants / model
Chemical and sponsor identity, not a clinical population
Treatment
Subcutaneous injection and oral tablet
Follow-up
Not applicable
Study design
Trial registry record and company filing
Funding
Sponsor: Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

No formula, molecular weight, CAS number or sequence is given because no compound record was found.

Read the original source
Company filing, 29 July 2026: no pivotal trial completed, phase 3 enrollment, oral phase 3 timing

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026, filed 29 July 2026, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. openFDA Drugs@FDA and DailyMed searches run on 10 October 2026.

No regulatory approval in any jurisdiction was found. On 10 October 2026 an openFDA Drugs@FDA search for VK2735 returned no application records and a DailyMed search returned no labels (the same DailyMed search returns tirzepatide labels, so the search works). The 10-Q states that no pivotal trial has yet been completed with any of Viking's drug candidates. It says Viking announced the start of VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 in June 2025, completion of patient enrollment in VANQUISH-1 in November 2025 and completion of enrollment in VANQUISH-2 in March 2026, that the company expects to start phase 3 oral dosing studies in the fourth quarter of 2026, and that a 28-day oral phase 1 study reported weight reductions of up to approximately 5.3% (company statement, March 2024).

Participants / model
Not a clinical population; adults in the VANQUISH trials for the enrollment statements
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 (VANQUISH); oral VK2735 tablet (planned phase 3)
Follow-up
Filing dated 29 July 2026; searches run on 10 October 2026
Study design
Company filing; US regulator database searches
Funding
not stated in the source

The enrollment and timing statements are company statements. The registry agrees that both VANQUISH records are Active, not recruiting. A search result shows what the databases held on that date.

Read the original source

What did the phase 2 study in obesity find?

In the 13-week phase 2 trial VENTURE (176 adults without diabetes), weekly subcutaneous VK2735 gave mean weight loss of 9.1% at 2.5 mg to 14.7% at 15 mg versus 1.7% on placebo. 93% of participants on active treatment lost at least 5% of baseline weight versus 12% on placebo.

VENTURE was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial in the United States. It gave weekly subcutaneous VK2735 (2.5, 5, 10 or 15 mg) or placebo for 13 weeks to 176 adults (about 35 per group) with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity, and no diabetes. It ran from August 2023 to February 2024 and is registered as NCT06068946. The sponsor conducted it, and three of the ten authors are Viking employees.

Mean weight reduction in the active groups ranged from 9.2 kg (9.1%) at 2.5 mg to 14.6 kg (14.7%) at 15 mg, against 1.8 kg (1.7%) on placebo. These are each group's mean percent change in body weight at week 13, not placebo-adjusted values, and the sources reviewed do not state the estimand. Among participants on active treatment, 93% (130 of 140) lost at least 5% of baseline weight versus 12% (4 of 34) on placebo. The endpoint was at week 13, a short treatment period.

VENTURE: 176 adults, 13 weeks, mean weight loss 9.1% to 14.7% versus 1.7% on placebo

Randomized controlled trial

Bays HE et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2026;34(3):537-549. PMID 41508550.

Mean weight reduction in the active groups ranged from 9.2 kg (2.5 mg, 9.1%) to 14.6 kg (15 mg, 14.7%), against 1.8 kg (1.7%) on placebo. 93% (130 of 140) of participants on active treatment lost at least 5% of baseline weight versus 12% (4 of 34) on placebo. In the safety population of 175, treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 24 of 35 (69%) on placebo and in 25 to 32 of 35 (71% to 91%) across the active doses. Nausea was reported by 7 (20%) on placebo and 22 (63%) at 15 mg, and vomiting by 0 on placebo and 10 (29%) at 15 mg. Adverse events led to discontinuation in 0 on placebo, 1 (3%) at 2.5 mg, 4 (11%) at 5 mg, 4 (11%) at 10 mg and 7 (20%) at 15 mg, 16 of 175 (9.1%) overall. One participant in the 15 mg group died (head trauma from a fall, assessed as not related). One participant had two drug-related serious events, atrial fibrillation (possibly related) and dehydration (probably related). Mean heart rate change from baseline ranged from +1.4 beats per minute on placebo to +9.3 at 10 mg. Anti-drug antibodies were detected in 9% (2.5 mg) to 23% (10 mg) at week 13. No pancreatitis was reported.

Participants / model
176 adults in the United States with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity, and no diabetes (about 35 per group; safety population 175)
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 (2.5, 5, 10 or 15 mg) or placebo
Follow-up
13 weeks; the trial ran from August 2023 to February 2024
Study design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial (NCT06068946)
Funding
Conducted by the sponsor, Viking Therapeutics; three of the ten authors are Viking employees.

The weight figures are each group's own percent change in body weight at week 13, not placebo-adjusted values, and the estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed. The safety figures come from the open-access full text of the same paper.

Read the original source

What is registered in the phase 3 program, and does it have results?

Four phase 3 trials are registered and none has posted results. The injectable VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 are Active, not recruiting, and the oral SUNRISE 1 and SUNRISE 2 were Not yet recruiting on 10 October 2026. A registration is not an outcome.

VANQUISH-1 (NCT07104500) is a 78-week, triple-masked, placebo-controlled trial of subcutaneous VK2735 in adults without type 2 diabetes who have obesity, or overweight with a weight-related comorbidity. Its estimated enrollment is 4,500, its status is Active, not recruiting, it started on 23 June 2025, its estimated primary completion is 1 July 2027, and its primary endpoint is percent change in body weight at week 78. VANQUISH-2 (NCT07104383) is the matching trial in adults with type 2 diabetes, with an estimated enrollment of 1,100, the same dates and the same status. Neither record has posted results.

The oral phase 3 program is registered but has not started. ClinicalTrials.gov lists two oral VK2735 records first posted on 9 October 2026: SUNRISE 1 (NCT07868835, adults without type 2 diabetes) and SUNRISE 2 (NCT07868939, adults with type 2 diabetes). Each is estimated at 560 participants over 68 weeks, with status Not yet recruiting and estimated start dates of 15 October 2026 and 16 October 2026 respectively. No oral phase 3 outcome exists.

A registration with no posted results is a plan, not a finding. No efficacy or safety result from either injectable phase 3 trial is public.

Registry: VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2, Active not recruiting, no posted results

Trial registry record

ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Record NCT07104383 (VANQUISH-2), with record NCT07104500 (VANQUISH-1). Read on 10 October 2026.

VANQUISH-1 (NCT07104500) is a 78-week, triple-masked, placebo-controlled trial of subcutaneous VK2735 in adults without type 2 diabetes who have obesity, or overweight with a weight-related comorbidity: estimated enrollment 4,500, status Active, not recruiting, start 23 June 2025, estimated primary completion 1 July 2027, primary endpoint percent change in body weight at week 78. VANQUISH-2 (NCT07104383) is the matching trial in adults with type 2 diabetes: estimated enrollment 1,100, same dates, status Active, not recruiting. Neither record has posted results. A registration without posted results is not an outcome.

Participants / model
Adults with obesity or overweight, without and with type 2 diabetes (planned)
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 versus placebo, 78 weeks
Follow-up
78 weeks per participant; estimated primary completion 1 July 2027
Study design
Registered phase 3 design and status only
Funding
Sponsor: Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

Registry design and status only. No efficacy or safety result from either trial is public.

Read the original source
Registry record NCT07104500: Viking sponsor, no nonproprietary name

Trial registry record

ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Record NCT07104500 (VANQUISH-1), with Viking Therapeutics SEC filings. Read on 10 October 2026.

VK2735 is Viking Therapeutics' dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, developed in subcutaneous and oral tablet formulations. Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is the sponsor named on this record, and its SEC filings name it as the developer. No nonproprietary name appears in any record reviewed: the registry entries, the VENTURE paper and Viking's 10-Q filed on 29 July 2026 all use the code alone. A PubChem name search for VK2735 and VK-2735 returned no compound record on 10 October 2026.

Participants / model
Chemical and sponsor identity, not a clinical population
Treatment
Subcutaneous injection and oral tablet
Follow-up
Not applicable
Study design
Trial registry record and company filing
Funding
Sponsor: Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

No formula, molecular weight, CAS number or sequence is given because no compound record was found.

Read the original source
Registry: SUNRISE 1 and SUNRISE 2, Not yet recruiting, first posted 9 October 2026

Trial registry record

ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Record NCT07868835 (SUNRISE 1), with record NCT07868939 (SUNRISE 2). Read on 10 October 2026.

ClinicalTrials.gov lists two oral VK2735 phase 3 records first posted on 9 October 2026: SUNRISE 1 (NCT07868835, adults without type 2 diabetes) and SUNRISE 2 (NCT07868939, adults with type 2 diabetes), each estimated at 560 participants over 68 weeks, status Not yet recruiting, with estimated start dates of 15 October 2026 and 16 October 2026. Viking's 10-Q filed on 29 July 2026 says it expects to start phase 3 oral dosing studies in the fourth quarter of 2026. No oral phase 3 outcome exists.

Participants / model
Adults with obesity or overweight, without and with type 2 diabetes (planned)
Treatment
Once-daily oral VK2735 versus placebo, 68 weeks
Follow-up
68 weeks per participant (planned)
Study design
Registered phase 3 design and status only
Funding
not stated in the source

Registry design and status only. Both trials were Not yet recruiting on 10 October 2026.

Read the original source

What has the company reported that no paper shows?

Two sets of results are company statements without a peer-reviewed report: oral tablet phase 2 data reported on 19 August 2025 (-12.2% from baseline at 120 mg, placebo-adjusted -10.9%) and a subcutaneous maintenance study reported on 22 September 2026 (about 16% to 19% weight loss at 21 weeks versus about 0% on placebo).

On 19 August 2025 Viking reported results of VENTURE-Oral Dosing, a phase 2 trial of once-daily oral VK2735 tablets for 13 weeks in 280 enrolled adults with obesity, or overweight with a comorbidity (NCT06828055). The company reported mean weight change from baseline at week 13 of -1.3% on placebo (n=40), -2.3% (15 mg), -7.0% (30 mg), -8.7% (60 mg), -11.1% (90 mg) and -12.2% (120 mg, n=39), a placebo-adjusted -10.9% at 120 mg. It reported that 80% at 120 mg reached at least 10% weight loss versus 5% on placebo. The release text describes six dosing arms plus placebo, while its dose table lists five fixed-dose arms plus placebo. The estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed, and no peer-reviewed report was found.

Viking's 10-Q also states that a 28-day oral phase 1 study reported weight reductions of up to approximately 5.3% (company statement, March 2024).

On 22 September 2026 Viking reported an exploratory maintenance study of subcutaneous VK2735 in about 180 adults with obesity (BMI at least 30), randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. After 21 weeks of weekly dosing with dose escalation every 2 weeks (final doses of 15, 17.5, 20 or 22.5 mg), the company reported weight loss of approximately 16% to 19% versus approximately 0% on placebo; the estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed. The induction cohorts were placebo 15, then 14 at 15 mg, 118 at 17.5 mg, 15 at 20 mg and 14 at 22.5 mg. In the 12-week maintenance phase, participants moved to every-other-week dosing kept a mean 90% of their week-21 weight loss (up to 97% in the best single regimen) and participants moved to monthly dosing kept a mean 85% (up to 90% in the best single regimen), against 61% kept by participants moved to placebo.

An exploratory control cohort of 13 participants kept on weekly 17.5 mg had 21.7% weight loss from baseline at 33 weeks versus a 0.3% gain on placebo. The release headline calls the 22% figure placebo-adjusted, but its body text describes it as a change from baseline in a small control cohort, and this page uses the body text. A ClinicalTrials.gov record that may cover the study (NCT07838740, phase 1, estimated 270 participants, subcutaneous and oral regimens) was not matched to the release by any identifier, so it is not cited as the study's registration.

PubMed searches on 10 October 2026 returned 2 records for VK2735 (the VENTURE paper, PMID 41508550, and a narrative review of GLP-1 receptor co-agonists and their cardiac effects, PMID 42768195) and 0 records for VK2735 with oral or tablet. A ClinicalTrials.gov search for VK2735 returned 8 records (2 phase 1, 2 phase 2, 4 phase 3), none with posted results. No peer-reviewed report of oral VK2735, of any VK2735 phase 3 trial, or of the maintenance study was found. Those results exist only as company statements or registrations.

Company statement, 19 August 2025: oral phase 2, 280 adults, 13 weeks, not peer reviewed

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. press release dated 19 August 2025, filed as an exhibit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mean weight change from baseline at week 13 was -1.3% on placebo (n=40), -2.3% (15 mg), -7.0% (30 mg), -8.7% (60 mg), -11.1% (90 mg) and -12.2% (120 mg, n=39), a placebo-adjusted -10.9% at 120 mg. 80% at 120 mg reached at least 10% weight loss versus 5% on placebo. Viking reports that 20% of VK2735 participants stopped treatment because of an adverse event versus 13% on placebo, overall treatment discontinuation was 28% versus 18% (38% at 120 mg versus 18% on placebo), nausea was reported by 58% versus 48% and vomiting by 26% versus 10%.

Participants / model
280 adults enrolled with obesity, or overweight with a comorbidity
Treatment
Once-daily oral VK2735 tablet, 13 weeks
Follow-up
13 weeks
Study design
Company press release on a phase 2 trial (NCT06828055); no peer-reviewed report found
Funding
not stated in the source

The release text describes six dosing arms plus placebo, while its dose table lists five fixed-dose arms plus placebo; the sixth arm, an exploratory maintenance assessment, is not tabulated in the part read. The estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed.

Read the original source
Company filing, 29 July 2026: no pivotal trial completed, phase 3 enrollment, oral phase 3 timing

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026, filed 29 July 2026, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. openFDA Drugs@FDA and DailyMed searches run on 10 October 2026.

No regulatory approval in any jurisdiction was found. On 10 October 2026 an openFDA Drugs@FDA search for VK2735 returned no application records and a DailyMed search returned no labels (the same DailyMed search returns tirzepatide labels, so the search works). The 10-Q states that no pivotal trial has yet been completed with any of Viking's drug candidates. It says Viking announced the start of VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 in June 2025, completion of patient enrollment in VANQUISH-1 in November 2025 and completion of enrollment in VANQUISH-2 in March 2026, that the company expects to start phase 3 oral dosing studies in the fourth quarter of 2026, and that a 28-day oral phase 1 study reported weight reductions of up to approximately 5.3% (company statement, March 2024).

Participants / model
Not a clinical population; adults in the VANQUISH trials for the enrollment statements
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 (VANQUISH); oral VK2735 tablet (planned phase 3)
Follow-up
Filing dated 29 July 2026; searches run on 10 October 2026
Study design
Company filing; US regulator database searches
Funding
not stated in the source

The enrollment and timing statements are company statements. The registry agrees that both VANQUISH records are Active, not recruiting. A search result shows what the databases held on that date.

Read the original source
Company statement, 22 September 2026: maintenance study, about 180 adults, not peer reviewed

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. press release dated 22 September 2026, filed as an exhibit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

After 21 weeks of weekly dosing with dose escalation every 2 weeks (final doses of 15, 17.5, 20 or 22.5 mg), weight loss ranged from approximately 16% to 19% versus approximately 0% on placebo (induction cohorts: placebo 15, VK2735 14 at 15 mg, 118 at 17.5 mg, 15 at 20 mg and 14 at 22.5 mg). In the 12-week maintenance phase, participants moved to every-other-week dosing kept a mean 90% of their week-21 weight loss (up to 97% in the best single regimen) and participants moved to monthly dosing kept a mean 85% (up to 90% in the best single regimen), against 61% kept by participants moved to placebo. An exploratory control cohort of 13 kept on weekly 17.5 mg had 21.7% weight loss from baseline at 33 weeks versus a 0.3% gain on placebo. Viking states gastrointestinal adverse event rates during maintenance were not meaningfully different from placebo, and its tables show 1 of 37 (3%) on every-other-week dosing and 1 of 66 (2%) on monthly dosing stopping treatment for an adverse event versus none of 27 on placebo, and one participant (1%) stopping for an adverse event during the 21-week induction.

Participants / model
About 180 adults with obesity (BMI at least 30)
Treatment
Subcutaneous VK2735, weekly induction then every-other-week or monthly maintenance
Follow-up
21 weeks of induction, 12 weeks of maintenance; 33 weeks in the control cohort
Study design
Company press release on an exploratory randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study; no peer-reviewed report
Funding
not stated in the source

The release headline calls the 22% figure placebo-adjusted, but the body text describes it as a change from baseline in a small control cohort, and this page uses the body text. The estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed. A registry record that may cover the study (NCT07838740) was not matched to the release by any identifier, so it is not cited as its registration.

Read the original source
Searches, 10 October 2026: 2 PubMed records, no oral or phase 3 paper

PubMed search record

PubMed search for VK2735, run on 10 October 2026 (2 records), and VK2735 AND (oral OR tablet) (0 records). ClinicalTrials.gov search for VK2735 run the same day (8 records).

PubMed returned 2 records for VK2735: the VENTURE paper (PMID 41508550) and a narrative review of GLP-1 receptor co-agonists and their cardiac effects (PMID 42768195). VK2735 AND (oral OR tablet) returned 0 records. A ClinicalTrials.gov search for VK2735 returned 8 records (2 phase 1, 2 phase 2, 4 phase 3), none with posted results. In the records reviewed there is no peer-reviewed report of oral VK2735, of any VK2735 phase 3 trial, or of the maintenance study; those results exist only as company statements or registrations.

Participants / model
Records returned, not a population
Treatment
Not applicable
Follow-up
Searches run on 10 October 2026
Study design
Literature and registry searches
Funding
not stated in the source

A search result shows what the databases returned on that date. It is not proof that no unindexed study exists.

Read the original source

Is the injectable phase 3 fully enrolled, and does oral phase 3 start in Q4 2026?

Both parts of the claim are supported as statuses and plans on 10 October 2026, and neither has results. Viking's 10-Q and the registry say VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 are fully enrolled, and oral phase 3 is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026 with two registrations dated 9 October 2026.

The claim is that VK2735 is a GLP-1 and GIP dual agonist from Viking Therapeutics, that its injectable phase 3 program is fully enrolled, and that an oral version starts phase 3 in the fourth quarter of 2026. Viking's 10-Q filed on 29 July 2026 says the company announced the start of VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 in June 2025, completion of patient enrollment in VANQUISH-1 in November 2025, and completion of enrollment in VANQUISH-2 in March 2026. The registry agrees: both records are Active, not recruiting.

The 10-Q also says Viking expects to start phase 3 oral dosing studies in the fourth quarter of 2026. The SUNRISE 1 and SUNRISE 2 registrations, first posted on 9 October 2026, are consistent with that, but both were Not yet recruiting on 10 October 2026.

Fully enrolled is not the same as reported. The injectable program is an estimated 5,600 participants, and no efficacy or safety result from either trial is public. The oral and maintenance results are company statements, and VENTURE is the only peer-reviewed efficacy result.

Company filing, 29 July 2026: no pivotal trial completed, phase 3 enrollment, oral phase 3 timing

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026, filed 29 July 2026, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. openFDA Drugs@FDA and DailyMed searches run on 10 October 2026.

No regulatory approval in any jurisdiction was found. On 10 October 2026 an openFDA Drugs@FDA search for VK2735 returned no application records and a DailyMed search returned no labels (the same DailyMed search returns tirzepatide labels, so the search works). The 10-Q states that no pivotal trial has yet been completed with any of Viking's drug candidates. It says Viking announced the start of VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 in June 2025, completion of patient enrollment in VANQUISH-1 in November 2025 and completion of enrollment in VANQUISH-2 in March 2026, that the company expects to start phase 3 oral dosing studies in the fourth quarter of 2026, and that a 28-day oral phase 1 study reported weight reductions of up to approximately 5.3% (company statement, March 2024).

Participants / model
Not a clinical population; adults in the VANQUISH trials for the enrollment statements
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 (VANQUISH); oral VK2735 tablet (planned phase 3)
Follow-up
Filing dated 29 July 2026; searches run on 10 October 2026
Study design
Company filing; US regulator database searches
Funding
not stated in the source

The enrollment and timing statements are company statements. The registry agrees that both VANQUISH records are Active, not recruiting. A search result shows what the databases held on that date.

Read the original source
Registry: VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2, Active not recruiting, no posted results

Trial registry record

ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Record NCT07104383 (VANQUISH-2), with record NCT07104500 (VANQUISH-1). Read on 10 October 2026.

VANQUISH-1 (NCT07104500) is a 78-week, triple-masked, placebo-controlled trial of subcutaneous VK2735 in adults without type 2 diabetes who have obesity, or overweight with a weight-related comorbidity: estimated enrollment 4,500, status Active, not recruiting, start 23 June 2025, estimated primary completion 1 July 2027, primary endpoint percent change in body weight at week 78. VANQUISH-2 (NCT07104383) is the matching trial in adults with type 2 diabetes: estimated enrollment 1,100, same dates, status Active, not recruiting. Neither record has posted results. A registration without posted results is not an outcome.

Participants / model
Adults with obesity or overweight, without and with type 2 diabetes (planned)
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 versus placebo, 78 weeks
Follow-up
78 weeks per participant; estimated primary completion 1 July 2027
Study design
Registered phase 3 design and status only
Funding
Sponsor: Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

Registry design and status only. No efficacy or safety result from either trial is public.

Read the original source
Registry: SUNRISE 1 and SUNRISE 2, Not yet recruiting, first posted 9 October 2026

Trial registry record

ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Record NCT07868835 (SUNRISE 1), with record NCT07868939 (SUNRISE 2). Read on 10 October 2026.

ClinicalTrials.gov lists two oral VK2735 phase 3 records first posted on 9 October 2026: SUNRISE 1 (NCT07868835, adults without type 2 diabetes) and SUNRISE 2 (NCT07868939, adults with type 2 diabetes), each estimated at 560 participants over 68 weeks, status Not yet recruiting, with estimated start dates of 15 October 2026 and 16 October 2026. Viking's 10-Q filed on 29 July 2026 says it expects to start phase 3 oral dosing studies in the fourth quarter of 2026. No oral phase 3 outcome exists.

Participants / model
Adults with obesity or overweight, without and with type 2 diabetes (planned)
Treatment
Once-daily oral VK2735 versus placebo, 68 weeks
Follow-up
68 weeks per participant (planned)
Study design
Registered phase 3 design and status only
Funding
not stated in the source

Registry design and status only. Both trials were Not yet recruiting on 10 October 2026.

Read the original source

How does VK2735 work, and is its half-life known?

VK2735 is described as a dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. The sources reviewed give no half-life or other pharmacokinetic value, and Viking's description of the half-life as differentiated is not backed by a figure in any record reviewed.

VK2735 is described by its developer as a dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, meaning it is designed to activate both receptors. The sources reviewed give no receptor-binding, molecular-structure or cell data, so nothing further about the mechanism is stated here.

Viking describes the half-life as differentiated, but none of the records reviewed gives a half-life, Tmax or other pharmacokinetic number from a primary source, so no half-life is entered for this page. The injection was given weekly in VENTURE and is the form in VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2. The oral tablet was given once daily for 13 weeks in the company-reported phase 2. These schedules are study designs, not evidence of how long the compound lasts in the body.

Registry record NCT07104500: Viking sponsor, no nonproprietary name

Trial registry record

ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Record NCT07104500 (VANQUISH-1), with Viking Therapeutics SEC filings. Read on 10 October 2026.

VK2735 is Viking Therapeutics' dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, developed in subcutaneous and oral tablet formulations. Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is the sponsor named on this record, and its SEC filings name it as the developer. No nonproprietary name appears in any record reviewed: the registry entries, the VENTURE paper and Viking's 10-Q filed on 29 July 2026 all use the code alone. A PubChem name search for VK2735 and VK-2735 returned no compound record on 10 October 2026.

Participants / model
Chemical and sponsor identity, not a clinical population
Treatment
Subcutaneous injection and oral tablet
Follow-up
Not applicable
Study design
Trial registry record and company filing
Funding
Sponsor: Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

No formula, molecular weight, CAS number or sequence is given because no compound record was found.

Read the original source
VENTURE: 176 adults, 13 weeks, mean weight loss 9.1% to 14.7% versus 1.7% on placebo

Randomized controlled trial

Bays HE et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2026;34(3):537-549. PMID 41508550.

Mean weight reduction in the active groups ranged from 9.2 kg (2.5 mg, 9.1%) to 14.6 kg (15 mg, 14.7%), against 1.8 kg (1.7%) on placebo. 93% (130 of 140) of participants on active treatment lost at least 5% of baseline weight versus 12% (4 of 34) on placebo. In the safety population of 175, treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 24 of 35 (69%) on placebo and in 25 to 32 of 35 (71% to 91%) across the active doses. Nausea was reported by 7 (20%) on placebo and 22 (63%) at 15 mg, and vomiting by 0 on placebo and 10 (29%) at 15 mg. Adverse events led to discontinuation in 0 on placebo, 1 (3%) at 2.5 mg, 4 (11%) at 5 mg, 4 (11%) at 10 mg and 7 (20%) at 15 mg, 16 of 175 (9.1%) overall. One participant in the 15 mg group died (head trauma from a fall, assessed as not related). One participant had two drug-related serious events, atrial fibrillation (possibly related) and dehydration (probably related). Mean heart rate change from baseline ranged from +1.4 beats per minute on placebo to +9.3 at 10 mg. Anti-drug antibodies were detected in 9% (2.5 mg) to 23% (10 mg) at week 13. No pancreatitis was reported.

Participants / model
176 adults in the United States with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity, and no diabetes (about 35 per group; safety population 175)
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 (2.5, 5, 10 or 15 mg) or placebo
Follow-up
13 weeks; the trial ran from August 2023 to February 2024
Study design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial (NCT06068946)
Funding
Conducted by the sponsor, Viking Therapeutics; three of the ten authors are Viking employees.

The weight figures are each group's own percent change in body weight at week 13, not placebo-adjusted values, and the estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed. The safety figures come from the open-access full text of the same paper.

Read the original source
Company statement, 19 August 2025: oral phase 2, 280 adults, 13 weeks, not peer reviewed

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. press release dated 19 August 2025, filed as an exhibit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mean weight change from baseline at week 13 was -1.3% on placebo (n=40), -2.3% (15 mg), -7.0% (30 mg), -8.7% (60 mg), -11.1% (90 mg) and -12.2% (120 mg, n=39), a placebo-adjusted -10.9% at 120 mg. 80% at 120 mg reached at least 10% weight loss versus 5% on placebo. Viking reports that 20% of VK2735 participants stopped treatment because of an adverse event versus 13% on placebo, overall treatment discontinuation was 28% versus 18% (38% at 120 mg versus 18% on placebo), nausea was reported by 58% versus 48% and vomiting by 26% versus 10%.

Participants / model
280 adults enrolled with obesity, or overweight with a comorbidity
Treatment
Once-daily oral VK2735 tablet, 13 weeks
Follow-up
13 weeks
Study design
Company press release on a phase 2 trial (NCT06828055); no peer-reviewed report found
Funding
not stated in the source

The release text describes six dosing arms plus placebo, while its dose table lists five fixed-dose arms plus placebo; the sixth arm, an exploratory maintenance assessment, is not tabulated in the part read. The estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed.

Read the original source

What adverse events and discontinuations were reported?

In VENTURE, adverse events led to treatment discontinuation in 7 of 35 participants (20%) at 15 mg and none on placebo, and nausea was reported by 63% at 15 mg versus 20% on placebo. One participant died (head trauma from a fall, assessed as not related), and one had two drug-related serious events.

In the VENTURE safety population of 175, treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 24 of 35 (69%) on placebo and in 25 to 32 of 35 (71% to 91%) across the active doses. Nausea was reported by 7 (20%) on placebo and 22 (63%) at 15 mg, and vomiting by 0 on placebo and 10 (29%) at 15 mg.

Adverse events led to treatment discontinuation in 0 on placebo, 1 (3%) at 2.5 mg, 4 (11%) at 5 mg, 4 (11%) at 10 mg and 7 (20%) at 15 mg, 16 of 175 (9.1%) overall. One participant in the 15 mg group died of head trauma from a fall, which was assessed as not related. One participant had two drug-related serious events, atrial fibrillation (assessed as possibly related) and dehydration (probably related).

Mean heart rate change from baseline ranged from +1.4 beats per minute on placebo to +9.3 at 10 mg. Anti-drug antibodies were detected in 9% (2.5 mg) to 23% (10 mg) of participants at week 13. No pancreatitis was reported. VENTURE lasted 13 weeks.

For the oral tablet, Viking reported on 19 August 2025 that 20% of VK2735 participants stopped treatment because of an adverse event versus 13% on placebo, and that overall treatment discontinuation was 28% versus 18% (38% at 120 mg versus 18% on placebo). It reported nausea in 58% versus 48% and vomiting in 26% versus 10%. These are company-reported figures from a phase 2 trial without a peer-reviewed report.

In the maintenance study reported on 22 September 2026, Viking states that gastrointestinal adverse event rates during maintenance were not meaningfully different from placebo. Its tables show 1 of 37 (3%) on every-other-week dosing and 1 of 66 (2%) on monthly dosing stopping treatment for an adverse event versus none of 27 on placebo, and one participant (1%) stopping for an adverse event during the 21-week induction. These are company-reported figures without a peer-reviewed report.

VENTURE: 176 adults, 13 weeks, mean weight loss 9.1% to 14.7% versus 1.7% on placebo

Randomized controlled trial

Bays HE et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2026;34(3):537-549. PMID 41508550.

Mean weight reduction in the active groups ranged from 9.2 kg (2.5 mg, 9.1%) to 14.6 kg (15 mg, 14.7%), against 1.8 kg (1.7%) on placebo. 93% (130 of 140) of participants on active treatment lost at least 5% of baseline weight versus 12% (4 of 34) on placebo. In the safety population of 175, treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 24 of 35 (69%) on placebo and in 25 to 32 of 35 (71% to 91%) across the active doses. Nausea was reported by 7 (20%) on placebo and 22 (63%) at 15 mg, and vomiting by 0 on placebo and 10 (29%) at 15 mg. Adverse events led to discontinuation in 0 on placebo, 1 (3%) at 2.5 mg, 4 (11%) at 5 mg, 4 (11%) at 10 mg and 7 (20%) at 15 mg, 16 of 175 (9.1%) overall. One participant in the 15 mg group died (head trauma from a fall, assessed as not related). One participant had two drug-related serious events, atrial fibrillation (possibly related) and dehydration (probably related). Mean heart rate change from baseline ranged from +1.4 beats per minute on placebo to +9.3 at 10 mg. Anti-drug antibodies were detected in 9% (2.5 mg) to 23% (10 mg) at week 13. No pancreatitis was reported.

Participants / model
176 adults in the United States with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity, and no diabetes (about 35 per group; safety population 175)
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 (2.5, 5, 10 or 15 mg) or placebo
Follow-up
13 weeks; the trial ran from August 2023 to February 2024
Study design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial (NCT06068946)
Funding
Conducted by the sponsor, Viking Therapeutics; three of the ten authors are Viking employees.

The weight figures are each group's own percent change in body weight at week 13, not placebo-adjusted values, and the estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed. The safety figures come from the open-access full text of the same paper.

Read the original source
Company statement, 19 August 2025: oral phase 2, 280 adults, 13 weeks, not peer reviewed

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. press release dated 19 August 2025, filed as an exhibit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mean weight change from baseline at week 13 was -1.3% on placebo (n=40), -2.3% (15 mg), -7.0% (30 mg), -8.7% (60 mg), -11.1% (90 mg) and -12.2% (120 mg, n=39), a placebo-adjusted -10.9% at 120 mg. 80% at 120 mg reached at least 10% weight loss versus 5% on placebo. Viking reports that 20% of VK2735 participants stopped treatment because of an adverse event versus 13% on placebo, overall treatment discontinuation was 28% versus 18% (38% at 120 mg versus 18% on placebo), nausea was reported by 58% versus 48% and vomiting by 26% versus 10%.

Participants / model
280 adults enrolled with obesity, or overweight with a comorbidity
Treatment
Once-daily oral VK2735 tablet, 13 weeks
Follow-up
13 weeks
Study design
Company press release on a phase 2 trial (NCT06828055); no peer-reviewed report found
Funding
not stated in the source

The release text describes six dosing arms plus placebo, while its dose table lists five fixed-dose arms plus placebo; the sixth arm, an exploratory maintenance assessment, is not tabulated in the part read. The estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed.

Read the original source
Company statement, 22 September 2026: maintenance study, about 180 adults, not peer reviewed

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. press release dated 22 September 2026, filed as an exhibit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

After 21 weeks of weekly dosing with dose escalation every 2 weeks (final doses of 15, 17.5, 20 or 22.5 mg), weight loss ranged from approximately 16% to 19% versus approximately 0% on placebo (induction cohorts: placebo 15, VK2735 14 at 15 mg, 118 at 17.5 mg, 15 at 20 mg and 14 at 22.5 mg). In the 12-week maintenance phase, participants moved to every-other-week dosing kept a mean 90% of their week-21 weight loss (up to 97% in the best single regimen) and participants moved to monthly dosing kept a mean 85% (up to 90% in the best single regimen), against 61% kept by participants moved to placebo. An exploratory control cohort of 13 kept on weekly 17.5 mg had 21.7% weight loss from baseline at 33 weeks versus a 0.3% gain on placebo. Viking states gastrointestinal adverse event rates during maintenance were not meaningfully different from placebo, and its tables show 1 of 37 (3%) on every-other-week dosing and 1 of 66 (2%) on monthly dosing stopping treatment for an adverse event versus none of 27 on placebo, and one participant (1%) stopping for an adverse event during the 21-week induction.

Participants / model
About 180 adults with obesity (BMI at least 30)
Treatment
Subcutaneous VK2735, weekly induction then every-other-week or monthly maintenance
Follow-up
21 weeks of induction, 12 weeks of maintenance; 33 weeks in the control cohort
Study design
Company press release on an exploratory randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study; no peer-reviewed report
Funding
not stated in the source

The release headline calls the 22% figure placebo-adjusted, but the body text describes it as a change from baseline in a small control cohort, and this page uses the body text. The estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed. A registry record that may cover the study (NCT07838740) was not matched to the release by any identifier, so it is not cited as its registration.

Read the original source

Why does VK2735 sit in B tier?

The only peer-reviewed efficacy result is a 13-week phase 2 in 176 adults (9.1% to 14.7% mean weight loss versus 1.7% on placebo). The injectable phase 3 program is fully enrolled but has reported nothing, and the oral tablet has company-reported phase 2 data only.

The phase 2 result shows a dose-related weight effect, with dose-related nausea and vomiting and treatment discontinuation for adverse events in 20% at 15 mg. The injectable phase 3 program is an estimated 5,600 participants and is fully enrolled, but no phase 3 result exists. The oral tablet has a company-reported phase 2 (20% versus 13% discontinuing for adverse events) and phase 3 registrations for trials that have not started.

It is not A because no phase 3 result exists and no regulator has approved it. As of 10 October 2026 the claims about full enrollment and an oral phase 3 start in the fourth quarter of 2026 are consistent with Viking's filing and the registry, and neither the injectable nor the oral phase 3 program has results.

VENTURE: 176 adults, 13 weeks, mean weight loss 9.1% to 14.7% versus 1.7% on placebo

Randomized controlled trial

Bays HE et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2026;34(3):537-549. PMID 41508550.

Mean weight reduction in the active groups ranged from 9.2 kg (2.5 mg, 9.1%) to 14.6 kg (15 mg, 14.7%), against 1.8 kg (1.7%) on placebo. 93% (130 of 140) of participants on active treatment lost at least 5% of baseline weight versus 12% (4 of 34) on placebo. In the safety population of 175, treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 24 of 35 (69%) on placebo and in 25 to 32 of 35 (71% to 91%) across the active doses. Nausea was reported by 7 (20%) on placebo and 22 (63%) at 15 mg, and vomiting by 0 on placebo and 10 (29%) at 15 mg. Adverse events led to discontinuation in 0 on placebo, 1 (3%) at 2.5 mg, 4 (11%) at 5 mg, 4 (11%) at 10 mg and 7 (20%) at 15 mg, 16 of 175 (9.1%) overall. One participant in the 15 mg group died (head trauma from a fall, assessed as not related). One participant had two drug-related serious events, atrial fibrillation (possibly related) and dehydration (probably related). Mean heart rate change from baseline ranged from +1.4 beats per minute on placebo to +9.3 at 10 mg. Anti-drug antibodies were detected in 9% (2.5 mg) to 23% (10 mg) at week 13. No pancreatitis was reported.

Participants / model
176 adults in the United States with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity, and no diabetes (about 35 per group; safety population 175)
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 (2.5, 5, 10 or 15 mg) or placebo
Follow-up
13 weeks; the trial ran from August 2023 to February 2024
Study design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial (NCT06068946)
Funding
Conducted by the sponsor, Viking Therapeutics; three of the ten authors are Viking employees.

The weight figures are each group's own percent change in body weight at week 13, not placebo-adjusted values, and the estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed. The safety figures come from the open-access full text of the same paper.

Read the original source
Company filing, 29 July 2026: no pivotal trial completed, phase 3 enrollment, oral phase 3 timing

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026, filed 29 July 2026, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. openFDA Drugs@FDA and DailyMed searches run on 10 October 2026.

No regulatory approval in any jurisdiction was found. On 10 October 2026 an openFDA Drugs@FDA search for VK2735 returned no application records and a DailyMed search returned no labels (the same DailyMed search returns tirzepatide labels, so the search works). The 10-Q states that no pivotal trial has yet been completed with any of Viking's drug candidates. It says Viking announced the start of VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 in June 2025, completion of patient enrollment in VANQUISH-1 in November 2025 and completion of enrollment in VANQUISH-2 in March 2026, that the company expects to start phase 3 oral dosing studies in the fourth quarter of 2026, and that a 28-day oral phase 1 study reported weight reductions of up to approximately 5.3% (company statement, March 2024).

Participants / model
Not a clinical population; adults in the VANQUISH trials for the enrollment statements
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 (VANQUISH); oral VK2735 tablet (planned phase 3)
Follow-up
Filing dated 29 July 2026; searches run on 10 October 2026
Study design
Company filing; US regulator database searches
Funding
not stated in the source

The enrollment and timing statements are company statements. The registry agrees that both VANQUISH records are Active, not recruiting. A search result shows what the databases held on that date.

Read the original source
Registry: VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2, Active not recruiting, no posted results

Trial registry record

ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Record NCT07104383 (VANQUISH-2), with record NCT07104500 (VANQUISH-1). Read on 10 October 2026.

VANQUISH-1 (NCT07104500) is a 78-week, triple-masked, placebo-controlled trial of subcutaneous VK2735 in adults without type 2 diabetes who have obesity, or overweight with a weight-related comorbidity: estimated enrollment 4,500, status Active, not recruiting, start 23 June 2025, estimated primary completion 1 July 2027, primary endpoint percent change in body weight at week 78. VANQUISH-2 (NCT07104383) is the matching trial in adults with type 2 diabetes: estimated enrollment 1,100, same dates, status Active, not recruiting. Neither record has posted results. A registration without posted results is not an outcome.

Participants / model
Adults with obesity or overweight, without and with type 2 diabetes (planned)
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 versus placebo, 78 weeks
Follow-up
78 weeks per participant; estimated primary completion 1 July 2027
Study design
Registered phase 3 design and status only
Funding
Sponsor: Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

Registry design and status only. No efficacy or safety result from either trial is public.

Read the original source
Company statement, 19 August 2025: oral phase 2, 280 adults, 13 weeks, not peer reviewed

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. press release dated 19 August 2025, filed as an exhibit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mean weight change from baseline at week 13 was -1.3% on placebo (n=40), -2.3% (15 mg), -7.0% (30 mg), -8.7% (60 mg), -11.1% (90 mg) and -12.2% (120 mg, n=39), a placebo-adjusted -10.9% at 120 mg. 80% at 120 mg reached at least 10% weight loss versus 5% on placebo. Viking reports that 20% of VK2735 participants stopped treatment because of an adverse event versus 13% on placebo, overall treatment discontinuation was 28% versus 18% (38% at 120 mg versus 18% on placebo), nausea was reported by 58% versus 48% and vomiting by 26% versus 10%.

Participants / model
280 adults enrolled with obesity, or overweight with a comorbidity
Treatment
Once-daily oral VK2735 tablet, 13 weeks
Follow-up
13 weeks
Study design
Company press release on a phase 2 trial (NCT06828055); no peer-reviewed report found
Funding
not stated in the source

The release text describes six dosing arms plus placebo, while its dose table lists five fixed-dose arms plus placebo; the sixth arm, an exploratory maintenance assessment, is not tabulated in the part read. The estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed.

Read the original source
Registry: SUNRISE 1 and SUNRISE 2, Not yet recruiting, first posted 9 October 2026

Trial registry record

ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Record NCT07868835 (SUNRISE 1), with record NCT07868939 (SUNRISE 2). Read on 10 October 2026.

ClinicalTrials.gov lists two oral VK2735 phase 3 records first posted on 9 October 2026: SUNRISE 1 (NCT07868835, adults without type 2 diabetes) and SUNRISE 2 (NCT07868939, adults with type 2 diabetes), each estimated at 560 participants over 68 weeks, status Not yet recruiting, with estimated start dates of 15 October 2026 and 16 October 2026. Viking's 10-Q filed on 29 July 2026 says it expects to start phase 3 oral dosing studies in the fourth quarter of 2026. No oral phase 3 outcome exists.

Participants / model
Adults with obesity or overweight, without and with type 2 diabetes (planned)
Treatment
Once-daily oral VK2735 versus placebo, 68 weeks
Follow-up
68 weeks per participant (planned)
Study design
Registered phase 3 design and status only
Funding
not stated in the source

Registry design and status only. Both trials were Not yet recruiting on 10 October 2026.

Read the original source
Searches, 10 October 2026: 2 PubMed records, no oral or phase 3 paper

PubMed search record

PubMed search for VK2735, run on 10 October 2026 (2 records), and VK2735 AND (oral OR tablet) (0 records). ClinicalTrials.gov search for VK2735 run the same day (8 records).

PubMed returned 2 records for VK2735: the VENTURE paper (PMID 41508550) and a narrative review of GLP-1 receptor co-agonists and their cardiac effects (PMID 42768195). VK2735 AND (oral OR tablet) returned 0 records. A ClinicalTrials.gov search for VK2735 returned 8 records (2 phase 1, 2 phase 2, 4 phase 3), none with posted results. In the records reviewed there is no peer-reviewed report of oral VK2735, of any VK2735 phase 3 trial, or of the maintenance study; those results exist only as company statements or registrations.

Participants / model
Records returned, not a population
Treatment
Not applicable
Follow-up
Searches run on 10 October 2026
Study design
Literature and registry searches
Funding
not stated in the source

A search result shows what the databases returned on that date. It is not proof that no unindexed study exists.

Read the original source

Studies and sources

Registry record NCT07104500: Viking sponsor, no nonproprietary name

Trial registry record

ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Record NCT07104500 (VANQUISH-1), with Viking Therapeutics SEC filings. Read on 10 October 2026.

VK2735 is Viking Therapeutics' dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, developed in subcutaneous and oral tablet formulations. Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is the sponsor named on this record, and its SEC filings name it as the developer. No nonproprietary name appears in any record reviewed: the registry entries, the VENTURE paper and Viking's 10-Q filed on 29 July 2026 all use the code alone. A PubChem name search for VK2735 and VK-2735 returned no compound record on 10 October 2026.

Participants / model
Chemical and sponsor identity, not a clinical population
Treatment
Subcutaneous injection and oral tablet
Follow-up
Not applicable
Study design
Trial registry record and company filing
Funding
Sponsor: Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

No formula, molecular weight, CAS number or sequence is given because no compound record was found.

Read the original source
Company filing, 29 July 2026: no pivotal trial completed, phase 3 enrollment, oral phase 3 timing

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026, filed 29 July 2026, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. openFDA Drugs@FDA and DailyMed searches run on 10 October 2026.

No regulatory approval in any jurisdiction was found. On 10 October 2026 an openFDA Drugs@FDA search for VK2735 returned no application records and a DailyMed search returned no labels (the same DailyMed search returns tirzepatide labels, so the search works). The 10-Q states that no pivotal trial has yet been completed with any of Viking's drug candidates. It says Viking announced the start of VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 in June 2025, completion of patient enrollment in VANQUISH-1 in November 2025 and completion of enrollment in VANQUISH-2 in March 2026, that the company expects to start phase 3 oral dosing studies in the fourth quarter of 2026, and that a 28-day oral phase 1 study reported weight reductions of up to approximately 5.3% (company statement, March 2024).

Participants / model
Not a clinical population; adults in the VANQUISH trials for the enrollment statements
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 (VANQUISH); oral VK2735 tablet (planned phase 3)
Follow-up
Filing dated 29 July 2026; searches run on 10 October 2026
Study design
Company filing; US regulator database searches
Funding
not stated in the source

The enrollment and timing statements are company statements. The registry agrees that both VANQUISH records are Active, not recruiting. A search result shows what the databases held on that date.

Read the original source
VENTURE: 176 adults, 13 weeks, mean weight loss 9.1% to 14.7% versus 1.7% on placebo

Randomized controlled trial

Bays HE et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2026;34(3):537-549. PMID 41508550.

Mean weight reduction in the active groups ranged from 9.2 kg (2.5 mg, 9.1%) to 14.6 kg (15 mg, 14.7%), against 1.8 kg (1.7%) on placebo. 93% (130 of 140) of participants on active treatment lost at least 5% of baseline weight versus 12% (4 of 34) on placebo. In the safety population of 175, treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 24 of 35 (69%) on placebo and in 25 to 32 of 35 (71% to 91%) across the active doses. Nausea was reported by 7 (20%) on placebo and 22 (63%) at 15 mg, and vomiting by 0 on placebo and 10 (29%) at 15 mg. Adverse events led to discontinuation in 0 on placebo, 1 (3%) at 2.5 mg, 4 (11%) at 5 mg, 4 (11%) at 10 mg and 7 (20%) at 15 mg, 16 of 175 (9.1%) overall. One participant in the 15 mg group died (head trauma from a fall, assessed as not related). One participant had two drug-related serious events, atrial fibrillation (possibly related) and dehydration (probably related). Mean heart rate change from baseline ranged from +1.4 beats per minute on placebo to +9.3 at 10 mg. Anti-drug antibodies were detected in 9% (2.5 mg) to 23% (10 mg) at week 13. No pancreatitis was reported.

Participants / model
176 adults in the United States with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity, and no diabetes (about 35 per group; safety population 175)
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 (2.5, 5, 10 or 15 mg) or placebo
Follow-up
13 weeks; the trial ran from August 2023 to February 2024
Study design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial (NCT06068946)
Funding
Conducted by the sponsor, Viking Therapeutics; three of the ten authors are Viking employees.

The weight figures are each group's own percent change in body weight at week 13, not placebo-adjusted values, and the estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed. The safety figures come from the open-access full text of the same paper.

Read the original source
Registry: VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2, Active not recruiting, no posted results

Trial registry record

ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Record NCT07104383 (VANQUISH-2), with record NCT07104500 (VANQUISH-1). Read on 10 October 2026.

VANQUISH-1 (NCT07104500) is a 78-week, triple-masked, placebo-controlled trial of subcutaneous VK2735 in adults without type 2 diabetes who have obesity, or overweight with a weight-related comorbidity: estimated enrollment 4,500, status Active, not recruiting, start 23 June 2025, estimated primary completion 1 July 2027, primary endpoint percent change in body weight at week 78. VANQUISH-2 (NCT07104383) is the matching trial in adults with type 2 diabetes: estimated enrollment 1,100, same dates, status Active, not recruiting. Neither record has posted results. A registration without posted results is not an outcome.

Participants / model
Adults with obesity or overweight, without and with type 2 diabetes (planned)
Treatment
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 versus placebo, 78 weeks
Follow-up
78 weeks per participant; estimated primary completion 1 July 2027
Study design
Registered phase 3 design and status only
Funding
Sponsor: Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

Registry design and status only. No efficacy or safety result from either trial is public.

Read the original source
Company statement, 19 August 2025: oral phase 2, 280 adults, 13 weeks, not peer reviewed

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. press release dated 19 August 2025, filed as an exhibit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Mean weight change from baseline at week 13 was -1.3% on placebo (n=40), -2.3% (15 mg), -7.0% (30 mg), -8.7% (60 mg), -11.1% (90 mg) and -12.2% (120 mg, n=39), a placebo-adjusted -10.9% at 120 mg. 80% at 120 mg reached at least 10% weight loss versus 5% on placebo. Viking reports that 20% of VK2735 participants stopped treatment because of an adverse event versus 13% on placebo, overall treatment discontinuation was 28% versus 18% (38% at 120 mg versus 18% on placebo), nausea was reported by 58% versus 48% and vomiting by 26% versus 10%.

Participants / model
280 adults enrolled with obesity, or overweight with a comorbidity
Treatment
Once-daily oral VK2735 tablet, 13 weeks
Follow-up
13 weeks
Study design
Company press release on a phase 2 trial (NCT06828055); no peer-reviewed report found
Funding
not stated in the source

The release text describes six dosing arms plus placebo, while its dose table lists five fixed-dose arms plus placebo; the sixth arm, an exploratory maintenance assessment, is not tabulated in the part read. The estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed.

Read the original source
Registry: SUNRISE 1 and SUNRISE 2, Not yet recruiting, first posted 9 October 2026

Trial registry record

ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Record NCT07868835 (SUNRISE 1), with record NCT07868939 (SUNRISE 2). Read on 10 October 2026.

ClinicalTrials.gov lists two oral VK2735 phase 3 records first posted on 9 October 2026: SUNRISE 1 (NCT07868835, adults without type 2 diabetes) and SUNRISE 2 (NCT07868939, adults with type 2 diabetes), each estimated at 560 participants over 68 weeks, status Not yet recruiting, with estimated start dates of 15 October 2026 and 16 October 2026. Viking's 10-Q filed on 29 July 2026 says it expects to start phase 3 oral dosing studies in the fourth quarter of 2026. No oral phase 3 outcome exists.

Participants / model
Adults with obesity or overweight, without and with type 2 diabetes (planned)
Treatment
Once-daily oral VK2735 versus placebo, 68 weeks
Follow-up
68 weeks per participant (planned)
Study design
Registered phase 3 design and status only
Funding
not stated in the source

Registry design and status only. Both trials were Not yet recruiting on 10 October 2026.

Read the original source
Company statement, 22 September 2026: maintenance study, about 180 adults, not peer reviewed

Regulatory record

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. press release dated 22 September 2026, filed as an exhibit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

After 21 weeks of weekly dosing with dose escalation every 2 weeks (final doses of 15, 17.5, 20 or 22.5 mg), weight loss ranged from approximately 16% to 19% versus approximately 0% on placebo (induction cohorts: placebo 15, VK2735 14 at 15 mg, 118 at 17.5 mg, 15 at 20 mg and 14 at 22.5 mg). In the 12-week maintenance phase, participants moved to every-other-week dosing kept a mean 90% of their week-21 weight loss (up to 97% in the best single regimen) and participants moved to monthly dosing kept a mean 85% (up to 90% in the best single regimen), against 61% kept by participants moved to placebo. An exploratory control cohort of 13 kept on weekly 17.5 mg had 21.7% weight loss from baseline at 33 weeks versus a 0.3% gain on placebo. Viking states gastrointestinal adverse event rates during maintenance were not meaningfully different from placebo, and its tables show 1 of 37 (3%) on every-other-week dosing and 1 of 66 (2%) on monthly dosing stopping treatment for an adverse event versus none of 27 on placebo, and one participant (1%) stopping for an adverse event during the 21-week induction.

Participants / model
About 180 adults with obesity (BMI at least 30)
Treatment
Subcutaneous VK2735, weekly induction then every-other-week or monthly maintenance
Follow-up
21 weeks of induction, 12 weeks of maintenance; 33 weeks in the control cohort
Study design
Company press release on an exploratory randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study; no peer-reviewed report
Funding
not stated in the source

The release headline calls the 22% figure placebo-adjusted, but the body text describes it as a change from baseline in a small control cohort, and this page uses the body text. The estimand is not stated in the sources reviewed. A registry record that may cover the study (NCT07838740) was not matched to the release by any identifier, so it is not cited as its registration.

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Searches, 10 October 2026: 2 PubMed records, no oral or phase 3 paper

PubMed search record

PubMed search for VK2735, run on 10 October 2026 (2 records), and VK2735 AND (oral OR tablet) (0 records). ClinicalTrials.gov search for VK2735 run the same day (8 records).

PubMed returned 2 records for VK2735: the VENTURE paper (PMID 41508550) and a narrative review of GLP-1 receptor co-agonists and their cardiac effects (PMID 42768195). VK2735 AND (oral OR tablet) returned 0 records. A ClinicalTrials.gov search for VK2735 returned 8 records (2 phase 1, 2 phase 2, 4 phase 3), none with posted results. In the records reviewed there is no peer-reviewed report of oral VK2735, of any VK2735 phase 3 trial, or of the maintenance study; those results exist only as company statements or registrations.

Participants / model
Records returned, not a population
Treatment
Not applicable
Follow-up
Searches run on 10 October 2026
Study design
Literature and registry searches
Funding
not stated in the source

A search result shows what the databases returned on that date. It is not proof that no unindexed study exists.

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Why is VK2735 in B tier?

B fits a compound with one peer-reviewed phase 2 trial and large phase 3 programs that have not reported. The 13-week phase 2 in 176 adults shows a dose-related weight effect alongside dose-related nausea, vomiting and discontinuations. The injectable phase 3 program is fully enrolled and the oral tablet has company-reported phase 2 data, but no phase 3 result exists and no regulator has approved the compound.