Viking Therapeutics has commenced the second part of a clinical trial evaluating oral maintenance dosing schedules of its dual glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist, VK2735, in adults with obesity.
The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm is evaluating the compound in both tablet and subcutaneous formulations as a treatment for metabolic conditions.
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The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial includes around 195 healthy adults with obesity, defined as having a body mass index of 30kg/m² or higher.
All participants will undergo an initial 21-week period receiving weekly subcutaneous doses of VK2735 or a placebo.
After week 21, patients will switch to maintenance regimens consisting of daily oral tablets, weekly oral tablets, subcutaneous doses administered every other week, monthly subcutaneous doses, or placebo until week 33.
The study is designed to assess the pharmacokinetics, tolerability, safety, and exploratory weight change metrics.
Viking CEO Brian Lian said: “Our recent top-line results from Part 1 of this study demonstrated the potency and differentiated profile of VK2735 in the setting of both weight loss induction and potentially longer-term maintenance.
“We are eager to continue this study with the initiation of Part 2, which will explore multiple regimens, both oral and subcutaneous, with the potential to provide greater optionality and flexibility to best align with a patient’s individual weight loss journey.”
The maintenance study commenced in 2025, with Viking previously reporting top-line findings from Part 1, which examined subcutaneous maintenance schedules.
Trial results from Part 2 are expected to be reported in 2027.
Alongside the maintenance evaluation, Viking is running two Phase III trials, designated VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2, testing weekly subcutaneous VK2735 over 78 weeks.
Both double-blind, randomised, multicentre studies are fully enrolled and evaluating doses of 7.5mg, 12.5mg, 17.5mg, or placebo.
VANQUISH-1 comprises nearly 4,500 non-diabetic adults who are obese or overweight with at least one related complication, while VANQUISH-2 includes roughly 1,000 adults with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese.
