VK2735

VK2735 is an investigational peptide dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, developed by Viking Therapeutics for obesity and overweight. It uses fatty-acid conjugation for albumin binding — the same general half-life-extension strategy used by semaglutide and tirzepatide — enabling once-weekly subcutaneous dosing.

Two formulations are in parallel development. The subcutaneous injectable is further along, having completed enrollment in two Phase 3 trials (VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2) as of early 2026, with topline results not yet reported at the time of this entry. An oral tablet formulation is roughly one phase behind, having completed a Phase 2 trial (VENTURE-Oral) with Phase 3 trials expected to begin later in 2026 per company statements.

In its Phase 2 subcutaneous trial (VENTURE, 13 weeks), the highest dose (15 mg weekly) produced average weight loss of 14.7%, with 66% of participants losing more than 10% of body weight. The oral formulation's Phase 2 trial (VENTURE-Oral, 13 weeks, once-daily dosing up to 120 mg) produced dose-dependent weight loss up to 12.2% at the top dose, with no plateau observed through the trial's duration.

// DUAL GLP-1/GIP RECEPTOR AGONISM

VK2735 activates both the GLP-1 receptor (central appetite suppression, slowed gastric emptying) and the GIP receptor (complementary insulinotropic and adipocyte effects) — the same dual-receptor strategy used by tirzepatide, though VK2735's specific receptor potency ratio has not been publicly disclosed in sources reviewed.

// HALF-LIFE EXTENSION

The peptide is conjugated to a fatty acid for albumin binding, extending its circulating half-life enough to support once-weekly subcutaneous dosing — mirroring the design approach used in semaglutide and tirzepatide. Exact half-life figures reported in secondary sources (~170–250 hours) were not verified against a primary regulatory source and should be treated as approximate.

VENTURE (Phase 2, subcutaneous, 13 weeks): 14.7% average weight loss (14.6 kg) at the 15 mg weekly dose vs. 1.7% placebo; 66% of participants lost more than 10% of body weight.

VENTURE-Oral (Phase 2, oral tablet, 13 weeks, doses 15–120 mg with titration): dose-dependent weight loss up to 12.2% (26.6 lbs) at 120 mg vs. 1.3% placebo; up to 97% of participants at the top dose achieved at least 5% weight loss and up to 80% achieved at least 10%, versus 10%/5% for placebo. No weight-loss plateau was observed through 13 weeks.

VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 (Phase 3, subcutaneous): enrollment completed (VANQUISH-1 in late 2025, VANQUISH-2 in March 2026); topline efficacy/safety results had not been reported as of this entry's sourcing.

Safety across trials to date: predominantly gastrointestinal adverse events (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation), described by the company as mostly mild-to-moderate and more frequent early in treatment. Exact backbone sequence, full molecular formula, and molecular weight are not publicly disclosed and are therefore omitted here rather than estimated.