VK2735: The Oral Weight Loss Pill Showing 12% Loss in 13 Weeks
Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 just posted Phase 2 data that has the obesity drug world paying attention: an oral pill that produced 12.2% weight loss in 13 weeks — without injections. If Phase 3 confirms these results, VK2735 could become the first oral dual GLP-1/GIP agonist to reach the market, competing directly with Ozempic and Zepbound.
Key Takeaways
- VK2735 oral tablet produced up to 12.2% weight loss (26.6 lbs) in just 13 weeks in the Phase 2 VENTURE trial — one of the fastest weight loss rates seen for an oral drug.
- Unlike semaglutide (a peptide requiring modification for oral use), VK2735 is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist — the same mechanism as Zepbound (tirzepatide) but in pill form.
- Weight loss was dose-dependent, progressive from Week 1, and showed no plateau at 13 weeks — suggesting longer treatment could produce substantially more weight loss.
- The injectable version of VK2735 is already in two Phase 3 trials (VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2), both fully enrolled. The oral version is expected to enter Phase 3 in late 2026.
- Main side effect concern: vomiting was reported in 26% of VK2735-treated subjects vs 10% on placebo. Nausea rates were comparable to other GLP-1 drugs.
- Viking Therapeutics is a smaller biotech company — if approved, VK2735 would compete against pharmaceutical giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in the $100+ billion obesity market.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical or legal advice. Full disclaimer
VENTURE Phase 2 Results: What the Data Shows
Viking Therapeutics presented full data from the Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing trial at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in May 2026. The results were striking for an oral formulation.
Trial design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with obesity (BMI 30+) or overweight with comorbidities (BMI 27+). Participants received once-daily oral VK2735 tablets at escalating doses or placebo for 13 weeks.
Key efficacy results: - Up to 12.2% weight loss from baseline (26.6 lbs) at the highest dose - Up to 10.9% placebo-adjusted weight loss - Statistically significant, dose-dependent weight loss across all dose cohorts - Weight loss was progressive from Week 1 through Week 13 with no plateau observed - Significant differences versus placebo were observed for all doses above 15 mg starting at Week 1
Why "no plateau" matters: Most GLP-1 drugs show a weight loss plateau at some point — the body adapts and weight loss slows. VK2735 showed no sign of plateauing at 13 weeks, which suggests that the full weight loss potential of this drug has not yet been seen. A 68-72 week trial (comparable to the STEP and SURMOUNT trials) could show substantially greater total weight loss.
Side Effects: The Vomiting Question
VK2735's safety profile is broadly consistent with other GLP-1 drugs but with one notable concern.
GI side effects: - Nausea: reported at rates comparable to other GLP-1/GIP drugs - Vomiting: 26% of VK2735-treated subjects vs 10% on placebo — higher than most competitors - Diarrhea and constipation: within the expected range for this drug class
The vomiting rate is the main concern. For context, tirzepatide (Zepbound) reported vomiting in approximately 12% of patients in SURMOUNT-1, and semaglutide (Wegovy) in approximately 24% in STEP-1. VK2735's 26% rate is on the higher end but within the range seen across the class. Whether dose optimization and slower titration can reduce this rate will be a key question for Phase 3.
Other observations: - No serious adverse events attributed to VK2735 were reported - No liver toxicity signals - Cardiovascular safety data not yet available (would require longer trials)
Viking described the overall tolerability as "encouraging" and noted that most GI side effects were mild to moderate and transient. Phase 3 trials with optimized dosing regimens will provide a clearer safety picture.
Where VK2735 Fits in the Weight Loss Drug Landscape
The obesity drug market is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030, and VK2735 enters a crowded but rapidly growing field.
Currently approved oral options: - Rybelsus (oral semaglutide): approved for diabetes at lower doses; produces modest weight loss (3-4%) - Foundayo (orforglipron): first oral non-peptide GLP-1 agonist, approved in 2026. GLP-1 single agonist.
VK2735's potential advantages: 1. Dual GLP-1/GIP mechanism in oral form — could be the first oral dual agonist to market 2. 12.2% weight loss in 13 weeks is competitive with injectable results 3. Oral formulation eliminates injection burden — a major factor in patient adherence 4. No cold chain storage requirements (unlike many injectable peptides)
VK2735's challenges: 1. Viking Therapeutics is a small biotech (~$8 billion market cap) competing against Novo Nordisk ($400B+) and Eli Lilly ($800B+) 2. Higher vomiting rates may limit tolerability 3. Phase 3 data not yet available — Phase 2 results do not always replicate in larger trials 4. Manufacturing scale-up for oral peptide tablets is technically challenging
The David vs Goliath dynamic: Viking does not have the manufacturing infrastructure or sales force of Novo Nordisk or Lilly. If VK2735 is approved, Viking would likely need a commercialization partner or acquisition. Both scenarios could affect pricing and availability.
*VK2735 is an investigational drug not yet approved by any regulatory agency. This article is for educational purposes only.*
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VK2735?
VK2735 is an investigational dual agonist that activates both GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors. It is being developed by Viking Therapeutics in both injectable (subcutaneous) and oral (tablet) formulations. The dual agonist mechanism is the same as tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound), which is currently the most effective approved weight loss drug. VK2735 is not yet FDA-approved and is available only through clinical trials.
How much weight loss does VK2735 produce?
In the 13-week Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing trial, participants receiving VK2735 lost up to 12.2% of their body weight (26.6 lbs on average). Compared to placebo, the relative weight reduction was up to 10.9%. Importantly, weight loss was progressive from Week 1 through Week 13 with no plateau, suggesting that longer treatment periods could produce substantially greater weight loss. The injectable version showed up to 14.7% weight loss in a separate Phase 1 trial over a similar timeframe.
When will VK2735 be available?
VK2735 is not yet FDA-approved. The injectable version is in Phase 3 trials (VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2), both fully enrolled as of mid-2026. The oral version is expected to enter Phase 3 in the second half of 2026. If trials are successful, the earliest possible FDA approval would likely be 2028-2029 for the injectable version and potentially 2029-2030 for the oral tablet. These timelines are estimates and depend on trial results, regulatory review, and manufacturing readiness.
How does VK2735 compare to Ozempic and Zepbound?
Direct comparison is difficult because VK2735 has only 13-week Phase 2 data while Ozempic and Zepbound have 68-72 week Phase 3 data. However, the rate of weight loss is notable: VK2735 oral achieved 12.2% in 13 weeks, while semaglutide (Wegovy) achieved 16.9% at 68 weeks and tirzepatide (Zepbound) achieved 22.5% at 72 weeks. If VK2735's weight loss trajectory continues without plateauing, it could potentially match or exceed these drugs. The key advantage of VK2735 is the oral formulation — no injections required, which would be a significant convenience advantage over Wegovy and Zepbound.
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About this article: Written by the PeptideMark Research Team. Published 2026-07-03. All factual claims are supported by cited sources where available. Editorial methodology · Medical disclaimer