Viking Therapeutics is developing VK2735 in two forms, a weekly injection and a daily pill, and the practical difference comes down to convenience versus dosing frequency, since both use the same active drug and target the same pathways. Both formats produced double-digit weight loss in mid-stage trials, with the oral tablet reaching up to about 12% over a short 13-week study. VK2735 is investigational and not FDA approved. Here’s how the two options compare and how someone might choose.<\/p>\n
VK2735 is a dual agonist that activates the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, the same two targets as tirzepatide. What sets Viking’s program apart is that it’s pursuing both a subcutaneous injection (dosed weekly) and an oral tablet (dosed daily), using the identical active molecule. This is deliberate. Some patients prefer pills, others prefer less frequent injections, and offering both lets the drug fit different preferences. It also opens an interesting possibility: using the injection to drive initial weight loss, then switching to a low-dose pill to maintain it.<\/p>\n
Here’s the practical breakdown of the two options.<\/p>\n
| Feature<\/th>\n | Injectable<\/th>\n | Oral tablet<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
|---|---|---|
| Dosing frequency<\/td>\n | Once weekly<\/td>\n | Once daily<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Administration<\/td>\n | Subcutaneous injection<\/td>\n | Swallowed pill<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Development stage<\/td>\n | Phase 3 (VANQUISH program)<\/td>\n | Advancing to phase 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Trial weight loss<\/td>\n | Double-digit over 13 weeks<\/td>\n | Up to about 12.2% over 13 weeks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n The injectable is further along, having entered a phase 3 registration program, while the oral version is moving into phase 3 after a successful mid-stage study.<\/p>\n What the Trials Showed<\/h3>\n |