Viking Therapeutics Expands VK2735 Obesity Trial to Test Oral Maintenance Dosing
Event summary
- Viking Therapeutics initiated Part 2 of its maintenance dosing study for VK2735, exploring oral and subcutaneous regimens to sustain weight loss in obesity patients.
- The trial will evaluate daily and weekly oral doses, as well as monthly and every-other-week subcutaneous doses, following initial weekly subcutaneous dosing.
- Part 1 of the study, completed in 2025, showed positive results for subcutaneous maintenance dosing regimens.
- Viking is also conducting two Phase 3 studies (VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2) for subcutaneous VK2735 in obesity patients with and without type 2 diabetes.
The big picture
Viking Therapeutics is advancing its lead candidate VK2735 through a comprehensive clinical strategy that includes both induction and maintenance phases. The company's focus on providing flexible dosing options aims to address the critical need for long-term adherence in obesity treatment, a market increasingly dominated by GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP agonists. The success of VK2735 could position Viking as a key player in the evolving landscape of metabolic disorder therapies.
What we're watching
- Regimen Flexibility
- Whether oral and varied subcutaneous dosing options can improve patient adherence and long-term weight management.
- Competitive Positioning
- How VK2735's dual agonist profile and maintenance strategies differentiate it from existing GLP-1 and GIP agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide.
- Clinical Outcomes
- The efficacy and safety data from Part 2 of the maintenance study, expected in 2027, which will determine the viability of these dosing regimens.