June 2026: Viking Therapeutics presented Phase 2 data for oral VK2735 at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2026) on May 12, 2026. The VENTURE-Oral trial showed dose-dependent weight loss up to 12.2% from baseline over 13 weeks. VK2735 is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist being developed in both oral and injectable forms — making it one of the few next-generation GLP-1 drugs with an active pill program. But VK2735 is still investigational and not available at any pharmacy.
VK2735 is one of the most closely watched drug candidates in the GLP-1 space — not because it has the highest weight loss numbers (it does not, at least not yet), but because it is being developed as both a pill and an injection. That combination is rare. Most next-generation GLP-1 drugs in late-stage development are injectable only.
Here is what the data shows, how VK2735 compares to drugs already on the market, and what the timeline looks like.
What VK2735 Is
VK2735 is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist made by Viking Therapeutics. It works on two hormone pathways:
- GLP-1 — signals fullness, slows stomach emptying, reduces appetite
- GIP — works alongside GLP-1 to amplify the effect on blood sugar and weight
This is the same dual mechanism as tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound). VK2735 is a different molecule, not a generic or biosimilar of tirzepatide.
The key differentiator: Viking is developing VK2735 in two formulations:
| Form | Status | Administration |
|---|---|---|
| Injectable (subcutaneous) | Phase 2 complete | Weekly injection |
| Oral (pill) | Phase 2 complete | Daily pill |
No other dual GLP-1/GIP agonist has an oral program this far along. Orforglipron (Eli Lilly) is a GLP-1-only oral pill in Phase 3. CagriSema (Novo Nordisk) is injectable only. Retatrutide (Eli Lilly) is a triple agonist, injectable only.
Phase 2 Results
Injectable VK2735 (VENTURE subcutaneous)
Viking reported Phase 2 injectable data in 2025. Key findings:
- Up to ~14.7% weight loss from baseline at the highest dose over 13 weeks
- Statistically significant at all tested doses vs placebo
- Side effect profile consistent with the GLP-1/GIP class (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
These results were strong enough that Viking moved directly to planning Phase 3 for the injectable formulation.
Oral VK2735 (VENTURE-Oral)
Viking presented VENTURE-Oral data at ECO 2026 on May 12, 2026. This is the more notable update because oral GLP-1 drugs are in high demand.
Key findings:
- Dose-dependent weight loss up to 12.2% from baseline over 13 weeks at the highest oral dose
- All doses showed statistically significant weight loss vs placebo
- The weight loss trajectory had not plateaued at 13 weeks, suggesting longer treatment may produce additional loss
- GI side effects (nausea, vomiting) were the most common, consistent with the drug class
- Tolerability was described as favorable — most participants completed the trial
A 12.2% weight loss in 13 weeks from an oral pill is notable. For comparison, Wegovy's Phase 3 results showed ~15% weight loss over 68 weeks, and Zepbound showed ~22.5% over 72 weeks. But these are different trial durations and designs, so cross-trial comparisons should be treated cautiously.
The important point: the oral VK2735 data at 13 weeks is tracking in a range that could become competitive with approved injectables if the trajectory continues through longer Phase 3 trials.
How VK2735 Compares to Other GLP-1 Drugs
VK2735 vs Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)
Both are dual GLP-1/GIP agonists. The difference:
- Tirzepatide is FDA-approved with extensive Phase 3 data. Available now as a weekly injection.
- VK2735 has Phase 2 data only. Not approved. But it has an oral formulation that tirzepatide does not.
Tirzepatide has no oral version on the market or in late-stage development. If VK2735's oral form succeeds in Phase 3, it would be the first dual GLP-1/GIP agonist available as a pill — a significant practical advantage for people who cannot or will not do injections.
VK2735 vs Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)
Semaglutide is a GLP-1-only agonist (not dual). It is available as both injection (Ozempic, Wegovy) and pill (Rybelsus), but Rybelsus is approved for type 2 diabetes only — not for weight loss.
- Wegovy (injectable semaglutide) is FDA-approved for obesity
- Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes only
- An oral semaglutide version for weight loss is in Phase 3 trials
VK2735's dual mechanism (GLP-1 + GIP) may produce stronger weight loss than GLP-1-only drugs like semaglutide. The Phase 2 injectable data (14.7% at 13 weeks) appears stronger than semaglutide's early data at the same time point, but again, cross-trial comparisons are limited.
VK2735 vs Retatrutide
Retatrutide is a triple agonist (GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon) from Eli Lilly. Phase 3 TRIUMPH-1 data showed up to 28.3% weight loss at 80 weeks — the highest reported in any obesity Phase 3 trial.
- Retatrutide targets three pathways and has the highest Phase 3 weight loss numbers so far. Injectable only.
- VK2735 targets two pathways (GLP-1 + GIP) and has the oral formulation advantage.
If both drugs reach the market, they may serve different patient preferences: retatrutide for maximum weight loss via injection, VK2735 oral for people who want a pill.
VK2735 vs Orforglipron
Orforglipron is an oral GLP-1-only agonist from Eli Lilly, currently in Phase 3. Like VK2735, it is a daily pill. Unlike VK2735, it targets GLP-1 only (not dual GLP-1/GIP).
The dual mechanism could give VK2735 a weight-loss edge over orforglipron if head-to-head data ever emerges. For now, both are competing to be the first effective oral GLP-1 pill for obesity.
For more on orforglipron, see our Orforglipron GLP-1 Pill Guide.
Why the Oral Formulation Matters
Injections are a barrier. Studies consistently show that a significant portion of people prescribed injectable GLP-1 drugs either delay starting, skip doses, or discontinue due to needle aversion. An effective oral alternative could change that.
Current oral GLP-1 options are limited:
- Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) — approved for type 2 diabetes, not obesity. Requires fasting before taking. Lower efficacy than injectable semaglutide.
- Orforglipron — in Phase 3. Not approved yet.
- VK2735 oral — in Phase 2. Not approved yet.
If VK2735 oral makes it through Phase 3, it would be the first dual-agonist pill available — potentially offering stronger weight loss than Rybelsus with the convenience of a daily pill.
When Might VK2735 Be Available?
This is speculative, but based on standard drug development timelines:
| Milestone | Estimated Timeline |
|---|---|
| Phase 3 trials begin | Late 2026 – 2027 |
| Phase 3 results | 2028 |
| FDA submission | 2028–2029 |
| FDA review (6–10 months) | 2028–2029 |
| Earliest possible approval | 2029 |
These dates could shift in either direction. Viking has not announced specific Phase 3 start dates or primary completion timelines.
Current GLP-1 Options While You Wait
VK2735 is years away from being available. If you are looking for GLP-1 treatment now, these are FDA-approved options:
- Wegovy (semaglutide) — weekly injection, FDA-approved for obesity
- Zepbound (tirzepatide) — weekly injection, FDA-approved for obesity
- Ozempic (semaglutide) — weekly injection, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (often prescribed off-label for weight loss)
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide) — weekly injection, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes
Telehealth platforms can connect you with a prescriber to discuss which GLP-1 medication is appropriate for you. These services are available now — no need to wait for drugs still in trials.
For a full comparison of available options, see GLP-1 Medications Explained or Best GLP-1 for Weight Loss in 2026.
What to Watch For
If you are following VK2735 development, the milestones that matter:
- Phase 3 trial initiation — When Viking announces the start of Phase 3 for either formulation. This is the next major inflection point.
- Oral Phase 3 design — Dose selection, trial duration, and primary endpoints will indicate how competitive the oral formulation aims to be against injectables.
- Head-to-head speculation — There are no planned head-to-head trials between VK2735 and approved drugs. Any comparisons will rely on cross-trial data until someone designs one.
- Safety signals in larger populations — Phase 2 involved hundreds of patients. Phase 3 will involve thousands. Rare side effects sometimes emerge only at scale.
Bottom Line
VK2735 is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist from Viking Therapeutics with promising Phase 2 data and a unique dual formulation (pill + injection). The oral version showed 12.2% weight loss in 13 weeks — a strong early signal for a pill. But VK2735 is not FDA-approved and not available. It needs Phase 3 trials, which have not started yet.
The realistic timeline for VK2735 reaching patients is 2028–2029 at the earliest. If you need GLP-1 treatment now, talk to a prescriber about approved options like Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, or Mounjaro.
This article was reviewed by the GLPSpot editorial team for accuracy against published clinical trial data and conference presentations. Last reviewed: June 2026.
