Viking reports positive maintenance data for obesity drug VK2735
Less frequent dosing after weekly induction preserved most weight loss, with tolerability similar to placebo, Viking said September 22, 2026.
Viking Therapeutics announced topline results on September 22, 2026 from a 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.1
The trial, known as VK2735-102, was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in approximately 180 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) who received initial weekly subcutaneous doses of VK2735 or placebo for 21 weeks.1 During induction, weight loss after 21 weeks ranged from approximately 16% to 19% compared with approximately 0% for placebo.1
After Week 21, participants were transitioned to a range of VK2735 maintenance dosing options including monthly, every other week, or weekly subcutaneous injections, or placebo.1 Subjects randomized to every-other-week dosing regimens maintained up to 97% of mean weight loss achieved in the weekly induction period, compared with 61% mean weight loss maintenance among subjects randomized to placebo.1 Participants randomized to monthly dosing regimens successfully maintained up to 90% of mean weight loss achieved during the induction period, compared with 61% mean weight loss maintenance among subjects randomized to placebo.1
An exploratory cohort that stayed on weekly 17.5 mg dosing through Week 33 demonstrated mean weight loss of 21.7% from baseline, compared with 0.3% weight gain for placebo.1
On safety, rates of GI-related adverse events such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation were not meaningfully different from placebo over the 12-week maintenance window, and discontinuation rates, including discontinuations due to adverse events, were low during both the maintenance and induction portions of the trial.1
Viking said it plans to explore oral maintenance dosing regimens in an upcoming part 2 to the current study.1 The company is evaluating VK2735 in Phase 3 clinical studies for obesity, along with maintenance dosing strategies designed to support long-term weight management.1
Written by readthrough’s AI from the linked primary sources and fact-checked against them automatically before publishing. Not investment advice.