Viking Therapeutics Announces Initiation of Phase 3 Obesity Clinical Program with GLP-1/GIP Agonist VK2735

Rhea-AI Summary

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) has launched its Phase 3 VANQUISH clinical program for VK2735, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist for obesity treatment. The program consists of two major studies: VANQUISH-1, targeting 4,500 obese adults, and VANQUISH-2, targeting 1,100 obese/overweight adults with type 2 diabetes.

The 78-week trials will evaluate three dosing arms (7.5mg, 12.5mg, 17.5mg) against placebo, with the primary endpoint measuring body weight change. The announcement follows successful Phase 2 VENTURE study results, where VK2735 achieved up to 14.7% body weight reduction and demonstrated favorable safety profiles with mostly mild to moderate adverse events.

Viking also plans to initiate a study for monthly maintenance dosing and expects to report Phase 2 results for the oral formulation in late 2025.

Positive

• Strong Phase 2 VENTURE results showing up to 14.7% body weight reduction
• Majority of weight loss maintained through 7-week follow-up period after final dose
• Favorable safety profile with 95% of GI-related adverse events being mild or moderate
• Large-scale Phase 3 program with 5,600 total planned participants
• Development of both subcutaneous and oral formulations expanding market potential

Negative

• GI-related adverse events reported, particularly during first week of treatment
• Extended 78-week trial duration may impact patient retention
• Multiple competing drugs in development in the GLP-1/GIP space

Insights

Biotechnology Research Analyst

Viking Therapeutics advances obesity drug VK2735 to pivotal Phase 3 trials following impressive 14.7% weight loss in Phase 2 studies.

Viking Therapeutics has initiated the VANQUISH Phase 3 program for VK2735, their dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, marking a significant advancement in their obesity pipeline. The program consists of two large-scale trials: VANQUISH-1 targeting ~4,500 obese/overweight adults and VANQUISH-2 enrolling ~1,100 adults with type 2 diabetes who are obese/overweight. Both 78-week studies will evaluate three doses (7.5mg, 12.5mg, and 17.5mg) against placebo.

The Phase 3 program follows exceptional Phase 2 results where VK2735 demonstrated up to 14.7% reduction in body weight from baseline and up to 13.1% reduction compared to placebo after just 13 weeks. Notably, weight loss was statistically significant at all doses starting from Week 1, and patients maintained most weight loss through a 7-week follow-up period after treatment concluded.

The safety profile appears promising, with most adverse events rated mild or moderate. Gastrointestinal side effects—typically the most problematic for this drug class—were predominantly (95%) mild or moderate and declined after the first week of treatment.

Viking is simultaneously expanding VK2735's development program by planning a study for a monthly maintenance regimen and advancing an oral formulation currently in Phase 2 trials (VENTURE-Oral), with results expected in H2 2025. This dual-format approach (injectable and oral) could significantly differentiate Viking's offering in the increasingly competitive GLP-1 obesity market dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 Studies to Evaluate Subcutaneous VK2735 in Obese Adults with and without Type 2 Diabetes

SAN DIEGO, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (Viking) (NASDAQ: VKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, today announced the initiation of the VANQUISH Phase 3 clinical program for VK2735, the company's dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors.  VK2375 is being developed in both oral and subcutaneous formulations for the potential treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity.

The VANQUISH Phase 3 program includes two studies evaluating VK2735: one in adults with obesity and one in obese or overweight adults with type 2 diabetes.  Each study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of VK2735 administered by subcutaneous injection once weekly for 78 weeks.  The VANQUISH-1 study will target enrollment of approximately 4500 adults who are obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) or who are overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m²) with at least one weight-related co-morbid condition. The VANQUISH-2 study will target enrollment of approximately 1100 adults with type 2 diabetes who are obese or overweight.  Participants in both trials will be randomized to one of four weekly treatment arms: VK2735 7.5 mg, VK2735 12.5 mg, VK2735 17.5 mg, and placebo.

The primary endpoint of the trials is the percent change in body weight from baseline for participants receiving VK2735 as compared to placebo after 78 weeks of treatment.  Secondary and exploratory endpoints will evaluate a range of additional safety and efficacy measures, including the percentage of patients who achieve ≥5%, ≥10%, ≥15% and ≥20% body weight reduction.  Each study will include an open-label extension allowing participants the opportunity to continue receiving treatment following completion of the primary dosing period.

"We are excited to advance VK2735 into Phase 3 clinical development, moving one step closer to potentially bringing this important therapeutic to patients with obesity," said Brian Lian, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Viking.  "Along with the successful initiation of the Phase 3 program we continue to make progress on VK2735's broader development.  This includes our plans to initiate an additional clinical study to evaluate a monthly maintenance regimen, which is expected to begin later this year.  We also continue to build on the encouraging early data reported for the oral tablet formulation of VK2735 and expect to report the results of the Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing study in the second half of this year." 

In 2024, Viking announced positive top-line results from the Phase 2 VENTURE study of subcutaneous VK2735 in obesity.  The VENTURE trial successfully achieved its primary and all secondary endpoints, with patients receiving VK2735 demonstrating clinically meaningful reductions in body weight compared with placebo.  With respect to the primary endpoint after 13 weekly doses, patients receiving VK2735 demonstrated statistically significant reductions in mean body weight from baseline, ranging up to 14.7%, as well as statistically significant reductions in mean body weight relative to placebo, ranging up to 13.1%.  Differences compared to placebo were statistically significant for all doses starting at Week 1 and were maintained through the course of the study.  In addition, results from follow-up visits that occurred four and seven weeks after the last dose of VK2735 was administered showed that cohorts receiving VK2735 maintained the majority of their weight loss through the seven-week follow-up visit after administration of the final dose.

VK2735 also demonstrated encouraging safety and tolerability in the VENTURE study, with the majority of observed adverse events (AEs) being reported as mild or moderate.  Treatment and study discontinuation rates among VK2735 cohorts were well-balanced compared with placebo.  Of gastrointestinal (GI) related AEs, 95% were reported as mild or moderate.  Across all cohorts in the VENTURE study, GI-related AEs were most prevalent during the first week of treatment, with observed rates generally declining through the remainder of the study. 

About GLP-1 and Dual GLP-1/GIP Agonists

Activation of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor has been shown to decrease glucose, reduce appetite, lower body weight, and improve insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or both. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is currently marketed in various dosage strengths and forms as Ozempic^®, Rybelsus^®, and Wegovy^®. More recently, research efforts have explored the potential co-activation of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) receptor as a means of enhancing the therapeutic benefits of GLP-1 receptor activation. Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is currently marketed in various dosage strengths and forms as Mounjaro^® and Zepbound^®.

About Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel first-in-class or best-in-class therapies for the treatment of metabolic and endocrine disorders, with two programs currently in clinical trials. Viking's research and development activities leverage its expertise in metabolism to develop innovative therapeutics designed to improve patients' lives. Viking's clinical programs include VK2735, a novel dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors for the potential treatment of various metabolic disorders. Data from a Phase 1 and a Phase 2 trial evaluating VK2735 (dosed subcutaneously) for metabolic disorders demonstrated an encouraging safety and tolerability profile as well as positive signs of clinical benefit. Concurrently, the company is evaluating an oral formulation of VK2735 in a Phase 2 trial. Viking is also developing VK2809, a novel, orally available, small molecule selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for the treatment of lipid and metabolic disorders. The compound successfully achieved both the primary and secondary endpoints in a recently completed Phase 2b study for the treatment of biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. In a Phase 2a trial for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and elevated LDL-C, patients who received VK2809 demonstrated statistically significant reductions in LDL-C and liver fat content compared with patients who received placebo. The company's newest program is evaluating a series of internally developed dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (or DACRAs) for the treatment of obesity and other metabolic disorders.  In the rare disease space, Viking is developing VK0214, a novel, orally available, small molecule selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for the potential treatment of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD).  In a Phase 1b clinical trial in patients with the adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) form of X-ALD, VK0214 was shown to be safe and well-tolerated, while driving significant reductions in plasma levels of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) and other lipids, as compared to placebo.

For more information about Viking Therapeutics, please visit www.vikingtherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Viking Therapeutics, Inc., under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about Viking's expectations regarding its clinical and preclinical development programs, anticipated timing for reporting clinical data and cash resources.  Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the success, cost and timing of Viking's product candidate development activities and clinical trials, including those for VK2735, VK0214, VK2809, and the company's other incretin receptor agonists; risks that prior clinical and preclinical results may not be replicated; risks regarding regulatory requirements; and other risks that are described in Viking's most recent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission including Viking's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including the risk factors set forth in those filings.  These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof.  Viking disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

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SOURCE Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

FAQ

What were the Phase 2 VENTURE trial results for Viking's VK2735 obesity drug?

The Phase 2 VENTURE trial showed that VK2735 achieved up to 14.7% body weight reduction from baseline and up to 13.1% reduction compared to placebo, with results being statistically significant across all doses.

How many patients will be enrolled in Viking's VANQUISH Phase 3 trials for VK2735?

The VANQUISH program will enroll approximately 4,500 patients in VANQUISH-1 (obesity) and 1,100 patients in VANQUISH-2 (obesity with type 2 diabetes), totaling 5,600 participants.

What dosage levels of VK2735 will Viking test in the Phase 3 trials?

The Phase 3 trials will test three weekly dosage levels of VK2735: 7.5mg, 12.5mg, and 17.5mg, compared against placebo over 78 weeks.

What were the safety results for VK2735 in clinical trials?

VK2735 showed a favorable safety profile with 95% of GI-related adverse events being mild or moderate. GI events were most common in the first week and generally declined throughout the study.

When will Viking report results for the oral formulation of VK2735?

Viking expects to report results from the Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing study in the second half of 2025.