Viking Therapeutics Gains Scientific Endorsement for Weight Loss Candidate

Viking Therapeutics has secured a significant scientific validation for its lead drug candidate, VK2735, strengthening its position in the competitive obesity therapeutics market. The company's detailed Phase 2 trial data, now published in a peer-reviewed journal, provides a robust foundation for its ongoing late-stage development program.

The full results from the VENTURE study have been published in the journal Obesity, offering detailed insight into the dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. After a 13-week treatment period, participants achieved a weight reduction of up to 14.7% from their baseline. A key takeaway for investors is the absence of any observed efficacy plateau during the study timeline, suggesting potential for continued benefit with extended use.

The therapy demonstrated a manageable safety profile, with most adverse events characterized as mild or moderate. Discontinuation rates were reported to be comparable to those in the placebo group. Brian Lian, Viking's Chief Executive Officer, highlighted that the publication enhances visibility within the medical community and validates the design of the ongoing Phase 3 program.

Clinical and Commercial Momentum Builds

Alongside this scientific milestone, Viking is advancing its clinical pipeline aggressively. Patient recruitment for the pivotal Phase 3 trial, VANQUISH-1, which will involve approximately 4,650 participants with obesity, has already been completed ahead of schedule. Enrollment for the second major study, VANQUISH-2, focusing on patients with type 2 diabetes, is expected to conclude within the first quarter of 2026.

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The company is also strengthening its commercial readiness. On January 7, Neil Aubuchon was appointed Chief Commercial Officer, bringing decades of industry experience from firms including Eli Lilly and Amgen. Separately, Viking confirmed it has finished recruiting patients for a maintenance dose study designed to evaluate different administration regimens.

Financial Runway and Forthcoming Catalysts

With a solid cash position of $715 million as of September 30, 2025, the biotech firm is well-funded to continue developing VK2735 against dominant rivals Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Its strategy to develop both injectable and oral tablet formulations of the drug is intended as a key point of differentiation.

Looking ahead, 2026 is set to deliver specific milestones likely to influence the investment narrative. These include the completion of enrollment for VANQUISH-2, results from the maintenance dose study, and a planned meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding the oral version of VK2735. Final data from the comprehensive Phase 3 program is anticipated in 2027.