New Dual GIP/GLP-1 Drug VK2735 Shows Rapid Weight Loss in Phase 2 Trial
Weekly injectable VK2735, a novel GIP/GLP-1 dual agonist, produced meaningful weight loss in just 13 weeks in adults with obesity in a phase 2 dose-ranging study.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Weekly subcutaneous VK2735 produced significant dose-dependent weight reduction over 13 weeks, with active treatment groups showing meaningful weight loss compared to placebo.
Key Numbers
How They Did This
Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study (VENTURE) of weekly subcutaneous VK2735 in adults with obesity/overweight and ≥1 comorbidity, conducted August 2023–February 2024.
Why This Research Matters
More GIP/GLP-1 dual agonist options could increase competition, lower costs, and provide alternatives for patients who don't respond well to existing medications.
The Bigger Picture
VK2735 joins a growing pipeline of dual and triple receptor agonists competing with tirzepatide, potentially expanding access to this effective class of obesity medications.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Short 13-week duration — long-term efficacy and safety unknown. Excluded diabetes patients, limiting applicability. Phase 2 sample sizes are relatively small.
Questions This Raises
- ?How will VK2735 compare to tirzepatide in longer head-to-head trials?
- ?What is the long-term safety profile of VK2735 at the highest effective doses?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Meaningful weight loss in 13 weeks Multiple VK2735 dose levels showed significant weight reduction vs placebo in the VENTURE trial
- Evidence Grade:
- Phase 2 randomized controlled trial — strong design but small sample and short duration; phase 3 trials needed for confirmation.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2026; trial conducted August 2023–February 2024.
- Original Title:
- Weekly Subcutaneous VK2735, a GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Dual Agonist, for Weight Management: Phase 2, Randomized, 13-Week VENTURE Study.
- Published In:
- Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 34(3), 537-549 (2026)
- Authors:
- Bays, Harold E(3), Toth, Phillip, Alkhouri, Naim(4), Pullman, John, Freilich, Bradley, Neutel, Joel, Ji, Summer, Stubbe, Scott, Hedges, Parke, Lian, Brian
- Database ID:
- RPEP-14851
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VK2735?
VK2735 is a new investigational weekly injection that targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors (similar to tirzepatide) for weight management. It is being developed by Viking Therapeutics.
How does VK2735 compare to existing weight loss drugs?
Early results from the 13-week VENTURE trial are promising, but direct comparisons to tirzepatide or semaglutide will require longer head-to-head studies. VK2735 uses the same dual agonist approach as tirzepatide.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-14851APA
Bays, Harold E; Toth, Phillip; Alkhouri, Naim; Pullman, John; Freilich, Bradley; Neutel, Joel; Ji, Summer; Stubbe, Scott; Hedges, Parke; Lian, Brian. (2026). Weekly Subcutaneous VK2735, a GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Dual Agonist, for Weight Management: Phase 2, Randomized, 13-Week VENTURE Study.. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 34(3), 537-549. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.70106
MLA
Bays, Harold E, et al. "Weekly Subcutaneous VK2735, a GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Dual Agonist, for Weight Management: Phase 2, Randomized, 13-Week VENTURE Study.." Obesity (Silver Spring, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.70106
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Weekly Subcutaneous VK2735, a GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Dual Agonis..." RPEP-14851. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/bays-2026-weekly-subcutaneous-vk2735-a
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.