Viking Therapeutics Announces Initiation of VK2735 Oral Maintenance Dosing Clinical Trial in Patients with Obesity

The maintenance study will test daily and weekly tablets alongside less frequent injections after initial weekly injectable treatment.

Rhea-AI Summary

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) initiated an exploratory trial testing oral and additional injectable VK2735 maintenance regimens in adults with obesity. Part 2 of a maintenance study begun in 2025 is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in approximately 195 otherwise healthy adults with obesity. Participants will receive weekly subcutaneous injections of VK2735 or placebo for 21 weeks, then transition to daily or weekly oral doses, monthly or every-other-week injections, or placebo through Week 33.

The study will evaluate safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics, meaning how the drug moves through the body, with exploratory weight-change endpoints. Viking expects to report Part 2 results in 2027. Its ongoing Phase 3 VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 trials are fully enrolled with approximately 4,500 and 1,000 adults, respectively, and evaluate weekly injectable VK2735 for 78 weeks.

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0 major · 0 points

Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works

Positive

• Moderate pointVANQUISH-1 fully enrolled with approximately 4,500 adults without type 2 diabetes.
• Moderate pointVANQUISH-2 fully enrolled with approximately 1,000 adults with type 2 diabetes.
• Minor pointPart 2 initiated to evaluate oral and additional injectable VK2735 weight-loss maintenance regimens.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Part 2 results expected in 2027, according to Viking.

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• None.

Key Figures

Study enrollment: Approximately 195 adults Initial dosing period: 21 weeks Study endpoint: Week 33 +1 more

Study enrollment

Approximately 195 adults

Adults with obesity in Part 2

Initial dosing period

21 weeks

Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 or placebo before maintenance dosing

Study endpoint

Week 33

End of study; exploratory body-weight changes assessed

Expected results

2027

Part 2 results

Previous Clinical trial Reports

1 past event · Latest: Sep 22

Same Type 1 event

1. Sep 22

   Maintenance study results

   24h Move

   +35.7%

   Part 1 showed maintenance dosing preserved up to 97% of prior weight loss.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

glp-1, gip, pharmacokinetic profile, bmi

4 terms

glp-1 medical

"glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide"

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a natural hormone in the body that helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. Its significance to investors lies in its role as the basis for a class of medications that address conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity, which are large and growing markets. Advances or investments in GLP-1-based treatments can signal opportunities in healthcare innovation and potentially impact pharmaceutical companies’ growth.

gip medical

"glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors"

GIP commonly stands for Global Infrastructure Partners, a private investment firm that buys and manages large physical assets such as airports, power plants, toll roads and pipelines. Investors pay attention because when GIP acquires, invests in, or sells such assets it can alter cash flow, debt levels and long-term plans for those businesses—like a new landlord changing rents or making upgrades—affecting revenue, dividends and risk for shareholders and creditors.

pharmacokinetic profile medical

"the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of VK2735"

The pharmacokinetic profile describes how a drug moves through the body over time, including how quickly it is absorbed, how it spreads, and how it is eventually eliminated. For investors, understanding this profile helps gauge the drug’s effectiveness, safety, and the appropriate dosing schedule, which can influence a company’s potential success and market value. It provides insight into how a medication behaves, impacting its overall commercial viability.

bmi medical

"obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2)"

Body mass index (BMI) is a simple number calculated from a person’s weight and height that classifies them as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese; think of it as a quick ratio like miles per gallon for body size. Investors watch BMI because shifts in population averages influence demand for healthcare services, drugs, medical devices, and insurance costs, and they can signal longer-term trends in workforce health and public spending.

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Study to Explore Oral Maintenance Dosing Regimens Following Initial Weight Loss with Subcutaneous VK2735

Monthly and Every-Other-Week Subcutaneous Regimens to also be Evaluated

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 6, 2026 /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 an exploratory oral maintenance dosing study of 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 various metabolic disorders such as obesity. The trial announced today is the second in a two-part maintenance study initiated in 2025. Positive top-line results were recently announced from Part 1 of this study, which evaluated various subcutaneous dosing regimens for their potential to maintain the initial weight loss achieved with weekly subcutaneous dosing. Part 2 of the study is designed to explore the potential of various VK2735 oral tablet dosing regimens as well as additional subcutaneous dosing regimens to maintain the initial weight loss achieved from weekly subcutaneous dosing.

The maintenance dosing study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in approximately 195 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) who are otherwise healthy. As in Part 1 of the study, all participants will receive initial weekly subcutaneous doses of VK2735 or placebo for 21 weeks. Following Week 21, participants will transition to a range of VK2735 maintenance dosing options including daily oral doses, weekly oral doses, monthly subcutaneous doses, every-other-week subcutaneous doses, or placebo. The study objectives are to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of VK2735 under these various dosing regimens. Exploratory endpoints will assess changes in body weight from baseline and from Week 21 to the end of the study at Week 33.

"Our recent top-line results from Part 1 of this study demonstrated the potency and differentiated profile of VK2735 in the setting of both weight loss induction and potentially longer-term maintenance. We are eager to continue this study with the initiation of Part 2, which will explore multiple regimens, both oral and subcutaneous, with the potential to provide greater optionality and flexibility to best align with a patient's individual weight loss journey," said Brian Lian, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Viking. "Adherence to therapy is critical to achieving the long-term benefits of weight loss, including reduction of cardiovascular risk, improved physical function, and enhanced quality of life. We believe flexibility and optionality are key to increasing adherence to treatment and improving long-term weight management - from induction to maintenance. We were pleased to report positive results from our recent subcutaneous maintenance study and are excited by the potential to validate additional maintenance regimens as well. In doing so, we expect to offer patients and their clinicians a broad range of highly effective and convenient tools to achieve personalized weight loss goals. We look forward to reporting the results from Part 2 of this study in 2027."

In addition to the maintenance dosing study, Viking is currently conducting two Phase 3 studies evaluating subcutaneous VK2735 (VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2). These trials are randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trials designed to assess the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous VK2735 dosed weekly for 78 weeks. The VANQUISH-1 study is fully enrolled with approximately 4,500 adults who do not have type 2 diabetes and who have obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) or are overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m²) with at least one weight-related co-morbid condition. The VANQUISH-2 study is also fully enrolled with approximately 1,000 adults with type 2 diabetes who have obesity or are overweight. Patients in both trials are being randomized to one of four weekly treatment arms: VK2735 7.5 mg; VK2735 12.5 mg; VK2735 17.5 mg; and placebo.

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 advancing a next-generation portfolio of therapies for obesity and metabolic disease. Guided by deep expertise in metabolic biology and rigorous science, Viking is developing innovative treatments to help people achieve meaningful, lasting health improvements by treating obesity first. The company's lead program, VK2735, is a dual glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist in development in both subcutaneous and oral formulations for obesity. VK2735 is currently being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical studies for obesity, along with maintenance dosing strategies designed to support long-term weight management. Viking is also advancing additional obesity programs, including VK3019, an amylin receptor agonist, VK2809, an orally available thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for metabolic and liver disease, and VK0214 for the rare genetic disorder X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD).

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

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What dosing regimens will Viking test in the VK2735 maintenance trial?

After 21 weeks of weekly subcutaneous VK2735 or placebo, participants will transition to daily oral, weekly oral, monthly subcutaneous, every-other-week subcutaneous dosing, or placebo. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involves approximately 195 otherwise healthy adults with obesity.

When does Viking expect results from Part 2 of the VK2735 maintenance study?

Viking expects to report Part 2 maintenance study results in 2027.

How will Viking measure weight changes in the VK2735 maintenance study?

Exploratory endpoints will assess body-weight changes from baseline and from Week 21 to Week 33, the end of the study. These measurements cover both the initial treatment period and the subsequent maintenance period.

What doses are being tested in Viking's Phase 3 VK2735 trials?

Participants in both VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 are being randomized to weekly VK2735 7.5 mg, 12.5 mg, 17.5 mg, or placebo. Both studies are randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trials designed to assess efficacy and safety over 78 weeks.