Evidence Grade E — Very limited evidence. 1 published studies. 5 registered clinical trials.
Medically reviewed by a licensed medical professional
VK2735 is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist from the smaller biotech company Viking Therapeutics, with both injectable and oral formulations in development. The injectable version showed remarkably rapid weight loss in Phase II — 14.7% in just 13 weeks — a pace that suggests even greater results would be expected with longer treatment. Phase III trials are underway.
VK2735 is also known by these brand and alternate names:
1 published studies: 1 human, 0 animal, 0 in-vitro, 0 reviews
VK2735 is in Phase II/III development (not yet approved). The VENTURE Phase II subcutaneous trial (176 patients, 13 weeks) showed 14.7% weight loss at the highest dose — a notably rapid rate for such a short treatment period. An oral tablet formulation is also in Phase II development.
VK2735's rapid weight loss in a short trial period is its most notable feature to date. Whether this trajectory is sustained in longer trials is a key question. The development of both injectable and oral formulations provides strategic flexibility. Phase III trials are planned.
VK2735 activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, mechanistically similar to tirzepatide. The combined receptor activation produces synergistic effects on appetite suppression, insulin secretion, and metabolic regulation. Specific details of the molecular design have not been disclosed.
Phase II subcutaneous results (176 patients, 13 weeks) showed 14.7% weight loss at the highest dose, with no apparent plateau — suggesting more would follow with continued treatment. An oral tablet formulation showed 12.2% at 13 weeks, also highly competitive. Phase III enrolment (VANQUISH-1, approximately 4,650 patients, 78 weeks) was completed ahead of schedule in November 2025, with results expected in 2027. The short 13-week Phase II treatment duration is both the source of excitement (impressive trajectory) and the main limitation (longer-term efficacy unconfirmed). Viking's small company size relative to competitors like Lilly and Novo Nordisk presents potential commercialisation challenges.
PeptideTrace tracks 5 registered clinical trials for VK2735 sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
VK2735 for Weight Management Type 2 Diabetes Phase 3 (VANQUISH 2)
VK2735 for Weight Management Phase 3
VK2735 for Weight Management Phase 2 (Venture Oral Dosing)
VK2735 for Weight Management Phase 2
Phase 1 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of VK2735
VK2735 is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide developed by Viking Therapeutics (San Diego, California). CAS number: 2650923-87-0. Detailed structural information including molecular weight, amino acid count, and sequence has not been publicly disclosed. Both once-weekly subcutaneous injection and once-daily oral tablet formulations are in active clinical development. The Phase 3 VANQUISH-1 trial completed enrollment ahead of schedule in November 2025.
VK2735 provides dual agonism at both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, mechanistically similar to tirzepatide. The combined receptor activation produces synergistic effects on appetite suppression, insulin secretion, and metabolic regulation. Additional metabolic effects observed in clinical trials include liver fat reduction of up to 47% from baseline and significant lipid improvements including total cholesterol reduction of -21% and LDL cholesterol reduction of -23%.
VENTURE Phase 2 subcutaneous (NCT06068946; N=176; published in Obesity January 2026): the 15 mg dose achieved -14.7% weight loss at 13 weeks versus -1.7% placebo (placebo-adjusted -13.1%; P<0.0001), with 88% of the 15 mg group achieving at least 10% loss versus 4% placebo. VENTURE-Oral Phase 2 (NCT06828055; N=280): oral tablet formulation achieved up to -12.2% weight loss at 13 weeks versus -1.3% placebo, with 80% achieving at least 10% loss. All gastrointestinal adverse events across both trials were 99% mild or moderate in severity.
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Bimagrumab is in Phase II/III development (not yet approved). A Phase II trial (75 patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity) showed 20.5% fat mass reduction with 3.6% lean mass increase — essentially reshaping body composition without net appetite suppression. The BELIEVE Phase IIb trial (507 patients) showed that bimagrumab plus semaglutide achieved 22% weight loss with the weight lost being 88% fat — significantly better body composition than semaglutide alone. Bimagrumab is not a peptide. Its strategic significance is as a combination partner to address the muscle loss problem inherent in weight loss with current obesity drugs. Eli Lilly's acquisition positions it alongside tirzepatide.
Danuglipron's original twice-daily formulation achieved 8–13% weight loss in Phase IIb but with treatment discontinuation rates exceeding 50%, with nausea affecting up to 73% of patients. Pfizer discontinued the twice-daily formulation and is developing a once-daily modified-release version. Danuglipron is not a peptide. Its development trajectory illustrates that even effective weight loss compounds can fail commercially if tolerability is inadequate. The reformulation effort aims to reduce peak drug concentrations that likely drive the gastrointestinal side effects.
Setmelanotide is marketed as Imcivree (Rhythm Pharmaceuticals; approved November 2020 for POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency; June 2022 for Bardet-Biedl syndrome; December 2024 expanded to patients aged 2 years and older). Genetic testing confirming an eligible mutation is required before treatment. In patients with POMC or PCSK1 deficiency, approximately 80% achieved at least 10% weight loss in clinical trials. In Bardet-Biedl syndrome, 32.3% achieved the same threshold. The most common side effects are injection-site reactions and skin darkening (due to the melanocortin pathway's connection to pigmentation). Setmelanotide exemplifies precision medicine — it is highly effective in the specific genetic populations it targets but is not indicated for common obesity.
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