Viking launches two 68-week trials of VK2735 obesity pill
Key Facts
Viking Therapeutics announced on 14 October 2026 the start of two Phase 3 trials evaluating its oral obesity drug under the SUNRISE-1 and SUNRISE-2 program. The launch was in line with the company's previously announced timetable, which targeted the fourth quarter of 2026 for the start of the oral trials.
The drug is moving into late-stage testing following the earlier oral VENTURE study, which enrolled 280 adults with obesity or overweight and a weight-related condition. According to the company's results announcement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, average weight loss at the highest dose reached 12.2% after 13 weeks, compared with 1.3% with placebo.
In the highest-dose group, 80% of participants lost at least 10% of their body weight, compared with 5% in the placebo group. However, the treatment discontinuation rate was 28% among drug recipients, compared with 18% among placebo recipients, raising concerns among investors and analysts about tolerability, according to Investing.com.
Each new trial aims to enroll 560 adults, according to program details reported by Investing.com from the company's announcement. Both studies are multicenter, randomized, double-blind trials comparing the treatment with placebo.
One study includes adults with obesity or overweight and a weight-related condition, without diabetes. The other includes adults with type 2 diabetes alongside obesity or overweight, to evaluate the oral formulation in this population as well.
Participants receive daily oral doses of 27.5, 35 or 55 mg, or placebo, for 68 weeks. The primary endpoint in both studies is the percentage change in body weight from baseline, compared with the placebo group.
The drug is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, according to a company offering prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Chief Executive Brian Lian said on the earnings call that he believes the oral formulation could become the first dual agonist to win approval.
Viking is developing the drug in oral and subcutaneous injectable formulations to treat metabolic disorders including obesity. Alongside development of the pill, the VANQUISH studies are evaluating the injectable formulation with weekly doses over 78 weeks.
In the market, Investing.com reported that the stock reached $25.77, a 52-week low, in coverage dated 14 October 2026. The stock had previously fallen as much as 37% following the announcement of results from the earlier oral study, according to the site's coverage published on 19 August 2025.
On financing, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments stood at $502 million on 30 June 2026, according to the earnings call reported by Investing.com. The balance had stood at $706 million at the end of 2025.
On 28 September 2026, the company completed an offering of shares and convertible notes with gross proceeds of approximately $575 million. Net proceeds were estimated at about $547.8 million after discounts and expenses. The stated uses include continued development of the drug and progress toward commercialization, alongside other programs and corporate purposes.
Viking had announced on 6 October 2026 the start of a parallel weight-maintenance study. The study aims to enroll about 195 adults, according to the announcement reported by Investing.com, as part of the development of weight-maintenance regimens.
Participants in the parallel study receive weekly injections or placebo for 21 weeks before moving to weight-maintenance regimens. Weight change is measured between weeks 21 and 33 to evaluate these regimens after the initial treatment period.
The second part of the parallel study is dedicated to evaluating weight-maintenance regimens. On the timing of the expected results, Lian said: "We look forward to reporting results from the second part of this study in 2027."