Viking guides oral VK2735 Phase 3 to the fourth quarter of 2026
Viking Therapeutics says it will begin Phase 3 testing of an oral obesity pill in late 2026, with new dosing data due this fall and $502 million in cash to fund the work.
Viking Therapeutics reported on July 29, 2026, that it plans to start Phase 3 testing of an oral tablet form of its experimental obesity drug VK2735 in the fourth quarter of 2026 [1]. The company also said it expects results from a study of flexible, less-frequent dosing schedules in the third quarter of 2026, and it reported $502 million in cash at the end of the second quarter [1].
VK2735 acts on two gut hormone receptors, GLP-1 and GIP, the same targets used by tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) [1]. Viking is developing both an injectable version and a daily pill using the same active ingredient [1]. In an earlier Phase 2 study, the injectable form produced weight loss of up to 14.7% from baseline after 13 weekly doses, with no sign of a plateau [1]. A Phase 1 study of the oral tablet showed weight loss up to 8.2% after 28 daily doses, and a later Phase 2 oral study, called VENTURE-oral, showed weight loss up to 12.2% after 13 weeks [1]. In that oral study, up to 80% of people taking VK2735 lost at least 10% of their body weight, compared with 5% of those on placebo [1]. The company said gastrointestinal side effects were mostly mild or moderate, and it saw no meaningful difference in GI-related side effects between drug and placebo at the doses it plans to study further [1].
Viking's two ongoing Phase 3 trials of the injectable form, called VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2, are fully enrolled, with about 4,500 participants with obesity in VANQUISH-1 and about 1,000 participants with obesity and type 2 diabetes in VANQUISH-2 [1]. Both trials are testing weekly injected doses of 7.5, 12.5, or 17.5 milligrams against placebo over 78 weeks, with the main measure being percent change in body weight [1]. Viking said both studies continued according to plan during the second quarter [1]. A Phase 3 trial for the oral formulation of VK2735 is registered with the U.S. government's clinical trial database under the title "VK2735 for Weight Management Phase 3" [2].
Separately, Viking started a Phase 1 trial of VK3019, an experimental amylin receptor agonist, and named Hubert Chen, M.D., as chief medical officer during the quarter [1].
Why it matters for patients
If oral VK2735 succeeds in Phase 3 testing, Viking says it would be positioned as the first tablet form of a dual GLP-1/GIP drug to reach the market, distinct from existing GLP-1 pills such as Rybelsus (semaglutide) or orforglipron (Foundayo), which act on only one hormone receptor [1]. For patients who prefer not to use needles, an approved oral dual-agonist could offer another option, though it remains in testing and is not yet available.
The maintenance dosing study, exploring monthly or every-other-week injections after initial weight loss, could matter for people who want to continue treatment long-term but with less frequent dosing [1]. Viking says flexible maintenance options might help people stay on therapy longer, which the company links to sustaining weight loss and related health benefits, though this connection has not yet been proven in this program [1].
None of these results have been reviewed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The company's own statements about how the drug might compare to other treatments are not confirmed by outside studies.
What happens next
Viking expects maintenance dosing data in the third quarter of 2026 [1]. The oral VK2735 Phase 3 program is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 [1]. The injectable VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 trials remain ongoing, with both fully enrolled as of the second quarter [1].
Sources
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