Subcutaneous VK2735, Viking Therapeutics’ (Nasdaq: VKTX) dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, maintained most of the weight loss achieved during weekly induction when participants switched to every-other-week or monthly dosing for 12 weeks, providing early evidence that less-frequent maintenance regimens may be feasible
Viking reported topline results from the VK2735-102 maintenance study, a Phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in approximately 180 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²). The study enrolled participants for a 21-week weekly subcutaneous induction phase, then transitioned them to either every-other-week or monthly dosing for 12 weeks, with an exploratory cohort continuing weekly dosing through Week 33. Notably, the body weight and safety endpoints in VK2735-102 were exploratory, with safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics the primary objectives.
VK2735 co-activates the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, a mechanism that suppresses appetite, slows gastric emptying, and improves insulin sensitivity. Because Viking is developing both oral and injectable formulations of the same molecule, the company sees potential for different formulations to be used across induction and maintenance strategies.
During the 21-week induction phase, VK2735 cohorts lost approximately 16% to 19% of body weight versus approximately 0% for placebo (p<0.0001 vs. baseline and placebo, all cohorts). The exploratory weekly control arm continued to lose weight without plateau, reaching approximately 22% placebo-adjusted reduction at Week 33. These induction figures are higher than those reported in the Phase II VENTURE trial, which showed up to 14.7% weight loss from baseline after 13 weeks, consistent with the longer treatment duration and accelerated titration used in VK2735-102.
During the 12-week maintenance phase, participants switched to every-other-week dosing retained an average 90% of the weight loss achieved during weekly induction, while those switched to monthly dosing retained 85%, compared with 61% among participants transitioned to placebo. The best-performing regimens maintained 97% of prior weight loss with every-other-week dosing and 90% with monthly dosing. Both reduced-frequency groups separated from placebo within four weeks.