Viking Therapeutics Initiates Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Trial for Oral Dual GLP-1/GIP Agonist VK2735 in Obesity

September 6, 2026

Superpower USA

Overview

Viking Therapeutics has commenced its Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral trial in early 2025 for VK2735, an oral dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist targeting obesity. This move highlights the intense competition in the metabolic disorder space, with VK2735 aiming to overcome peptide oral delivery challenges. The drug’s potential is underscored by comparisons to other GLP-1 agonists like Eli Lilly’s Orforglipron, Tirzepatide, and Retatrutide, which have demonstrated substantial weight loss benefits in clinical trials.

In Depth

Key Findings

Viking Therapeutics has advanced its oral dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, VK2735, into a Phase 2 clinical trial known as “VENTURE-Oral” for the treatment of obesity, initiated in early 2025. This development positions VK2735 as a potential disruptor in a market dominated by injectable GLP-1/GIP agonists, offering the significant advantage of oral administration.

Technical / Clinical Details

Mechanism of Action: VK2735 functions as a dual agonist for both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. These receptors are crucial regulators of glucose homeostasis and appetite. Simultaneous activation of both pathways is expected to yield synergistic effects, leading to substantial weight loss and improved metabolic health.
VENTURE-Oral Study: The Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the oral formulation of VK2735 in adult patients with obesity. Oral peptide delivery presents significant challenges, primarily due to enzymatic degradation in the gastrointestinal tract and low absorption rates. The outcomes of this trial will be pivotal in determining VK2735’s competitive standing.
Competitive Landscape: VK2735 enters a highly competitive arena with other prominent GLP-1-related agonists in advanced clinical development, including Eli Lilly’s oral GLP-1 Orforglipron, the dual GLP-1/GIP agonist Tirzepatide, and the triple GLP-1/GIP/Glucagon agonist Retatrutide. These agents have shown impressive weight loss in large-scale clinical trials, with Retatrutide, for instance, reporting up to a 24% weight reduction in Phase 2 studies. This sets a high bar for VK2735 to demonstrate comparable efficacy.

Background & Context

Obesity remains a global health crisis, significantly increasing the risk of numerous comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. GLP-1 receptor agonists have revolutionized obesity management due to their potent effects on weight reduction and metabolic improvement. However, most currently available therapies are injectables, posing challenges for patient convenience and long-term adherence. The development of orally administered GLP-1-related agonists, therefore, addresses a substantial unmet need in the market.

Developing oral peptides requires overcoming significant physiological barriers, including proteolytic degradation by digestive enzymes and poor membrane permeability, necessitating advanced drug delivery technologies.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The results from the VENTURE-Oral trial will profoundly influence Viking Therapeutics’ future development strategy. Should VK2735 demonstrate a favorable safety profile and significant weight loss, it could emerge as a compelling new oral option in the obesity treatment landscape. The fierce competition in oral peptide therapeutics underscores the importance of VK2735’s progress as a key indicator of innovation and market dynamics in this rapidly evolving field.

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