Viking Therapeutics reports VK2735 maintained up to 97% of weight loss with every-other-week and 90% with monthly subcutaneous dosing in obesity.
Written By: Creola Gonsalves, MS Biotech
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Viking Therapeutics reported positive topline results from the VK2735-102 maintenance study, showing that patients with obesity retained up to 97% of prior weight loss after switching from weekly treatment to every-other-week dosing and up to 90% after switching to monthly dosing. The findings support further evaluation of less frequent subcutaneous VK2735 dosing for long-term weight maintenance.
Progressive Weight Loss During Weekly Induction
VK2735 is a dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. Viking is developing the therapy in both subcutaneous and oral formulations for metabolic disorders, including obesity.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled maintenance study enrolled approximately 180 adults with obesity and baseline BMI of at least 30 kg/m². Participants initially received weekly subcutaneous VK2735 or placebo for 21 weeks before entering the maintenance phase.
During induction, VK2735 produced approximately 16% to 19% weight loss across dose groups after 21 weeks, compared with about 0% with placebo. Weight reduction remained progressive without evidence of a plateau. At Week 21, 98% of VK2735-treated participants achieved at least 5% weight loss, while 90% reached at least 10%, 65% reached at least 15%, and 32% reached at least 20%.
Less Frequent Subcutaneous Dosing Preserved Weight Loss
After Week 21, participants receiving weekly VK2735 transitioned to less frequent subcutaneous maintenance regimens for another 12 weeks. The study evaluated every-other-week and monthly dosing alongside placebo.
The every-other-week groups maintained up to 97% of the mean weight loss achieved during weekly induction, compared with 61% among participants transitioned to placebo. Separation from placebo emerged by four weeks after the dosing transition. Across the individual every-other-week regimens, weight-loss maintenance ranged from 83% to 97%, with statistically significant differences versus placebo.
Monthly dosing also preserved most of the weight reduction achieved during induction. Participants maintained up to 90% of their Week 21 weight loss, compared with 61% after transition to placebo. Individual monthly regimens maintained 82% to 90% of prior weight loss, with statistically significant differences versus placebo across the reported comparisons.
An exploratory cohort that continued 17.5 mg VK2735 once weekly showed 21.7% mean weight loss from baseline at Week 33. Weight loss remained progressive through the 33-week treatment period, with no plateau observed.
Maintenance Safety Remained Favorable
VK2735 showed an encouraging tolerability profile during the 12-week subcutaneous maintenance phase. Rates of gastrointestinal adverse events, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation, were not meaningfully different from placebo. Treatment discontinuations remained low.
During the 21-week induction period, one participant discontinued VK2735 because of an adverse event. Gastrointestinal events were the most common adverse events and were generally mild. Their incidence declined over time despite the study’s accelerated two-week dose-titration schedule.
Oral Maintenance Evaluation Planned in Part 2
The reported maintenance results apply specifically to subcutaneous VK2735. Viking plans to evaluate oral maintenance dosing regimens in Part 2 of the current study, extending the development program to the oral formulation rather than presenting the oral program as part of the maintenance results reported here.
Viking is advancing VK2735 in both subcutaneous and oral formulations for metabolic disorders, including obesity. The next phase of development will determine whether the compound’s pharmacokinetic profile can support less frequent maintenance dosing across these formulations while further defining its long-term efficacy, safety and tolerability.
Reference
Viking Therapeutics Announces Positive Topline Results from Maintenance Study of GLP-1/GIP Agonist VK2735 Demonstrating the Promise of Multiple Maintenance Dosing Regimens, Viking Therapeutics, 22 September 2026
About the Writer
Creola Gonsalves (Linkedin) is an M.S. Biotechnology postgraduate with a strong interest in clinical research, evidence interpretation, and healthcare writing, with a focus on translating life-science knowledge into meaningful real-world insights.
She is trained in Good Clinical Practice (GCP), clinical research principles, and critical interpretation of randomized clinical trials, with certifications from NIH and Stanford University.
Her research background in biotechnological applications and microbial research strengthens her ability to understand scientific evidence and develop clear, accurate, and research-driven healthcare content.