MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: Educational research guidelines only. Lyophilized peptides are investigational chemical compounds and are NOT approved for human consumption, diagnosis, or therapy. Consult a licensed physician before any research application.
VK2735 Dosage Chart, Schedule & Reconstitution Protocol
Quickstart Highlights
VK2735 is an investigational dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist peptide developed by Viking Therapeutics for obesity. By co-activating both incretin receptors it curbs appetite, slows gastric emptying, and improves glucose-dependent insulin secretion, driving substantial weight loss. In the Phase 2 VENTURE trial, once-weekly subcutaneous doses of 2.5-15 mg over 13 weeks produced mean weight loss of 9.1% to 14.7%, with no plateau and 88% of the 15 mg group reaching at least 10% placebo-adjusted reduction (PMC12933218). An oral tablet has separately reached up to 12.2% at 30-120 mg daily, and the injectable is now in the Phase 3 VANQUISH program (7.5/12.5/17.5 mg weekly). Doses are titrated upward to limit nausea, the dominant side effect. VK2735 is not approved by the FDA or EMA and remains investigational; the reconstitution figures on this page are an educational research reference only, not medical advice.
Reconstitute: Add 1.5 mL bacteriostatic water → 20 mg/mL concentration.
Typical dose: 2.5-15 mg once weekly (subcutaneous, titrated)
Easy measuring: At 20 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 0.2 mg (200 mcg) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Storage: Lyophilized powder stored frozen at -20 °C and protected from light; reconstituted solution refrigerated at 2-8 °C and used within approximately 4 weeks. Avoid freezing the reconstituted liquid and do not expose to heat or direct sunlight.
Half-life: Approximately 170-250 hours (about 7-10 days) after subcutaneous dosing, with Tmax ~75-90 hours, supporting once-weekly administration.
Route: Investigational once-weekly subcutaneous injection (an oral once-daily tablet is also in development); the SC reconstitution model here is educational.
Status: Investigational — NOT FDA- or EMA-approved; in Phase 3 (VANQUISH) testing. Research/educational use only, not medical advice.
About VK2735
VK2735 is an investigational dual agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors that Viking Therapeutics is developing for chronic weight management; in the Phase 2 VENTURE study it was given as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection titrated from 2.5 mg up to 15 mg over 13 weeks [1]. Both an injectable and an oral tablet are in clinical development, so when people ask how to dose VK2735, the answer depends on the formulation: the subcutaneous figures below model the weekly-injection protocol, while an oral tablet has separately been tested at 30-120 mg once daily [3][4].\n\nThis guide models a 30 mg vial reconstituted with 1.5 mL of bacteriostatic water (20 mg/mL) so the studied VK2735 dosage steps map cleanly onto a U-100 insulin syringe: 2.5 mg ≈ 12-13 units, 5 mg ≈ 25 units, 10 mg ≈ 50 units, and 15 mg ≈ 75 units. As with other incretin agonists, the dose is escalated slowly to limit nausea; in VENTURE most arms began at 2.5 mg weekly while the 15 mg arm started at 5 mg [1].\n\nFrequency: Once weekly, on the same day each week, by subcutaneous injection. VK2735's long ~170-250 hour half-life supports this weekly rhythm [2]. VK2735 is not FDA- or EMA-approved and is presented here as an educational research reference only, not medical advice.
Quick Protocol Navigation
Reconstitution Instruction & Mixing Step-by-Step
Lyophilized powder must be reconstituted carefully. Agitating peptide chains can shear disulfide bonds and render the peptide biologically inert.
Draw 1.5 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
Inject the water slowly down the inner wall of the 30 mg VK2735 vial; do not aim the stream directly at the lyophilized powder, and do not shake — swirl or roll the vial gently until fully dissolved and clear.
The result is a 20 mg/mL solution, equal to 200 mcg per insulin-syringe unit, so 2.5 mg ≈ 12-13 units, 5 mg ≈ 25 units, 10 mg ≈ 50 units, and 15 mg ≈ 75 units on a U-100 syringe.
Store the reconstituted vial refrigerated at 2-8 °C and use within about 4 weeks; draw the prescribed number of units for the current titration step and swab the stopper before each withdrawal.
Inject subcutaneously into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, rotating sites weekly; escalate the dose slowly to limit nausea. VK2735 is investigational and not approved by any regulator — this is an educational research reference, not medical advice.
Interactive VK2735 Syringe Calculator
Currently visualizing the 30 mg vial reconstituted with 1.5 mL bacteriostatic water. Adjust the target dose to dynamically render syringe units.
Reconstitution Calculation: 30mg dry powder in 1.5mL water yields 20.00 mg/mL. To evaluate a 250mcg dose, pull to 1.3 units (1 syringe ticks).
U-100 Syringe Representation
Educational reference visual. Assumes standard U-100 insulin syringe where 1.0 mL volume = 100 units.
Titration & Dose Escalation Schedules
| Phase | Dose per injection | Units (per injection) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-4 — initiation (start low) | 2500 mcg (2.5 mg) | 13 units (0.13 mL) |
| Weeks 5-8 — first escalation | 5000 mcg (5 mg) | 25 units (0.25 mL) |
| Weeks 9-12 — second escalation | 10000 mcg (10 mg) | 50 units (0.50 mL) |
| Week 13+ — top dose studied in VENTURE | 15000 mcg (15 mg) | 75 units (0.75 mL) |
Administration guidelines: Refer to guidelines | 1.5 mL Reconstitution
Research Supplies Quantity Planner
Scientific mathematical planning of syringes, bacteriostatic water and dry vials needed for extended research blocks using the 30 mg vial.
Peptide Vials (VK2735, 30 mg each):
- check8-week titrating course (2.5 mg then 5 mg weekly) ≈ 2 vials
- check12-week course (adding 10 mg weeks 9-12) ≈ 4 vials
- check16-week course (adding 15 mg weeks 13-16) ≈ 6 vials
- checkReconstituted vials should be discarded after ~4 weeks, so plan roughly one vial per 4-week titration block at higher doses
Insulin Syringes (U-100):
- checkOnce-weekly dosing: 1 syringe per week
- check8 weeks ≈ 8 syringes; 12 weeks ≈ 12 syringes; 16 weeks ≈ 16 syringes
- checkAll studied doses fit one syringe (15 mg ≈ 75 units at 20 mg/mL), so no dose-splitting is required
- checkKeep a few spares for drawing/measuring errors
Bacteriostatic Water (30 mL bottles): Use 1.5 mL per 30 mg vial for reconstitution.
- check8 weeks (≈2 vials) ≈ 3 mL
- check12 weeks (≈4 vials) ≈ 6 mL
- check16 weeks (≈6 vials) ≈ 9 mL
- checkA single 30 mL bottle comfortably covers a full course
Alcohol Swabs:
- check2 swabs per dose (vial stopper + injection site)
- check8 weeks ≈ 16 swabs; 12 weeks ≈ 24 swabs; 16 weeks ≈ 32 swabs
- checkAdd extras for re-swabbing the multi-use vial between weekly draws
Mechanism of Action (MOA)
VK2735 is a synthetic peptide engineered as a dual agonist of two gut incretin hormone receptors: the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor and the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor. In binding studies it engages the GLP-1 receptor with an IC50 of approximately 188 nM and the GIP receptor with an IC50 of approximately 325 nM, so a single molecule activates both pathways simultaneously [1][3]. GLP-1 and GIP are released after meals from intestinal L cells and K cells, respectively, and together account for most of the meal-stimulated ("incretin") insulin response in healthy adults [3].\n\nBy co-activating these receptors, VK2735 produces the metabolic effects characteristic of the incretin class: enhanced glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppression of appetite and food intake through central pathways, and delayed gastric emptying that prolongs satiety. The net clinical result is reduced caloric intake and substantial weight loss, with the GIP component thought to complement GLP-1 signaling on energy balance and lipid handling. This is the same mechanistic family as approved agents such as tirzepatide, though VK2735 is an independent investigational molecule and is not interchangeable with any approved drug.\n\nPharmacokinetics support a convenient schedule. In Phase 1 single- and multiple-ascending-dose work, subcutaneous VK2735 showed an extended elimination half-life of roughly 170-250 hours (about 7-10 days) and a Tmax of approximately 75-90 hours, with weight loss of up to 7.8% observed at just 28 days [2][6]. That long half-life is the basis for once-weekly subcutaneous dosing and means steady-state exposure builds over several weeks, which is one reason the dose is titrated gradually. A separate oral tablet formulation has been developed and tested at once-daily 30-120 mg doses; oral peptide bioavailability is inherently low, which is why the oral milligram doses are far larger than the weekly injectable doses [4].\n\nClinically, the magnitude of effect scales with dose. In the 13-week Phase 2 VENTURE trial, mean weight loss rose from 9.1% at 2.5 mg weekly to 14.7% at 15 mg weekly, with no plateau by week 13 [1]. Because the dominant adverse effects are gastrointestinal and dose-related, protocols escalate stepwise (for example 2.5 → 5 → 10 → 15 mg) to improve tolerability; in VENTURE most arms started at 2.5 mg while the 15 mg arm started at 5 mg [1].\n\nThe real-world clinical route under investigation is subcutaneous injection (weekly) or an oral tablet (daily). The single-vial reconstitution scheme on this page is an educational measurement convention used across this site to translate the studied milligram doses into insulin-syringe units; it is not a clinically validated delivery method. VK2735 remains investigational and is not approved by the FDA, EMA, or any other regulator [5].
Clinical Trial Efficacy Highlights
- starIn a Phase 1 randomized, placebo-controlled single- and multiple-ascending-dose study (NCT05203237), subcutaneous VK2735 was generally well tolerated and demonstrated an extended half-life of approximately 170-250 hours with a Tmax of roughly 75-90 hours, producing weight loss of up to 7.8% at day 28 and establishing the rationale for once-weekly dosing [2][6].
- starThe Phase 2 VENTURE trial (Bays et al., Obesity, 2026) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 13-week dose-ranging study of weekly subcutaneous VK2735 in 176 adults with obesity, or overweight plus at least one weight-related comorbidity, testing 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 mg doses against placebo [1].
- starMean weight reduction in VENTURE scaled with dose: 9.1% (9.2 kg) at 2.5 mg, 10.9% (10.7 kg) at 5 mg, 12.9% (13.3 kg) at 10 mg, and 14.7% (14.6 kg) at 15 mg, versus 1.7% (1.8 kg) with placebo, with no apparent plateau by week 13 [1].
- starAt the 15 mg dose, VENTURE participants achieved a mean placebo-adjusted body-weight reduction of 13.1% at week 13, and 88% reached a placebo-adjusted reduction of 10% or more; across all active arms 93% (130/140) achieved at least 5% weight loss compared with 12% (4/34) on placebo [1].
- starAn oral tablet formulation evaluated in the Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing trial (280 participants, once-daily 15-120 mg over 13 weeks) produced mean reductions of 7.0% at 30 mg up to 12.2% at 120 mg versus 1.3% for placebo, with up to 80% of treated participants achieving 10% or more weight loss [4].
- starVK2735 has advanced into the Phase 3 VANQUISH program — VANQUISH-1 (~4,650 adults with obesity/overweight) and VANQUISH-2 (~1,100 adults with type 2 diabetes plus obesity/overweight) — evaluating once-weekly subcutaneous arms of 7.5, 12.5, and 17.5 mg over 78 weeks; enrollment in VANQUISH-1 was completed in November 2025 [5].
- starAcross trials the safety signal has been dominated by transient, mostly mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal events that decreased in frequency with continued dosing and showed no dose-dependent increase after the initial titration, consistent with the incretin drug class [1][4].
Side Effects & Tolerability Profile
Clinical subjects transiently report mild side effects. Slowly escalating the titration dose represents the single most effective intervention to limit side effects.
- warningGastrointestinal effects are the most common and dose-related; in the Phase 2 VENTURE subcutaneous trial, nausea occurred in 36.6% (64/175), constipation in 21.1% (37/175), and vomiting in 12.6% (22/175) of participants [1].
- warningMost adverse events were mild (Grade 1, ~40.6%) or moderate (Grade 2, ~23.4%), with severe (Grade 3) events in ~4.6%; GI effects appeared early, subsided over time, and showed no dose-dependent increase after the initial dosing period [1].
- warningThe oral tablet formulation produced higher GI rates (nausea ~58%, vomiting ~26%), with the large majority characterized as mild or moderate and most events concentrated early in treatment [4].
- warningStepwise dose escalation (for example 2.5 → 5 → 10 → 15 mg weekly) is used specifically to mitigate nausea and vomiting; escalating too quickly increases GI intolerance and risk of dehydration.
- warningAs an incretin-class agent, VK2735 carries theoretical class risks seen with GLP-1/GIP drugs — including gallbladder events, pancreatitis, dehydration and acute kidney injury from severe vomiting, and hypoglycemia if combined with insulin or sulfonylureas — although long-term VK2735-specific data are not yet available.
- warningDelayed gastric emptying can alter the absorption of other oral medications and may be relevant for procedures requiring an empty stomach (anesthesia/sedation aspiration risk), as flagged for the broader class.
- warningClass labeling for approved GLP-1/GIP agonists includes contraindications in personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 and caution in pregnancy and gastroparesis; while these are not established VK2735 labels, they are reasonable precautions for an investigational member of this class.
- warningRegulatory/research status: VK2735 is NOT approved by the FDA, EMA, or any other regulator; it is an investigational compound still in Phase 3 testing, long-term human safety is not established, and any non-trial use is research/educational only — this page is not medical advice.
Subcutaneous Injection Technique
Most research peptides require subcutaneous injection into fatty tissue. Never inject directly into a blood vessel or deep muscle tissue unless clinically detailed.
1. Site Selection
Common locations include the abdomen (2 inches from navel), outer upper arms, or thighs.
2. Sanitization
Thoroughly clean the selected site, stopper and vial top using 70% isopropyl alcohol prep swabs.
3. Angle & Push
Pinch the skin and insert the needle at a 45 to 90-degree angle. Depress plunger smoothly.
4. Site Rotation
Rotate injection sites continuously to avoid lipodystrophy or tissue scarring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical VK2735 dosage?expand_more
In the Phase 2 VENTURE trial the subcutaneous VK2735 dosage was 2.5, 5, 10, or 15 mg given once weekly over 13 weeks, with most arms titrated up from a 2.5 mg starting dose (the 15 mg arm started at 5 mg). Weight loss scaled with dose, reaching about 14.7% at 15 mg weekly. The Phase 3 VANQUISH program uses 7.5, 12.5, and 17.5 mg weekly arms. A separate oral tablet was tested at 30-120 mg once daily. There is no approved VK2735 dose because the drug is still investigational; the figures here are an educational research reference only, not a prescription.
Is VK2735 FDA approved?expand_more
No. VK2735 is not approved by the FDA or the EMA for any indication. It is an investigational dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist still being studied by Viking Therapeutics — it completed Phase 2 (VENTURE for the injectable and VENTURE-Oral for the tablet) and is now in the Phase 3 VANQUISH program. Because it is unapproved, it cannot be legally sold as a medicine or dietary supplement, and any non-trial material is sold for research use only. This page is educational and is not medical advice.
What is the half-life of VK2735?expand_more
Phase 1 data showed subcutaneous VK2735 has an extended elimination half-life of approximately 170-250 hours (about 7-10 days), with a Tmax of roughly 75-90 hours. This long half-life is the pharmacokinetic basis for once-weekly subcutaneous dosing, and it means blood levels accumulate over several weeks, which is one reason the dose is escalated gradually rather than started high.
How is VK2735 reconstituted and administered?expand_more
The investigational subcutaneous form is a once-weekly injection. For the educational model on this site, a 30 mg vial is reconstituted with 1.5 mL of bacteriostatic water to give 20 mg/mL (200 mcg per insulin-syringe unit): draw the water slowly down the vial wall, swirl gently until clear, and refrigerate, using within about 4 weeks. At that concentration 2.5 mg ≈ 12-13 units, 5 mg ≈ 25 units, 10 mg ≈ 50 units, and 15 mg ≈ 75 units on a U-100 syringe, injected subcutaneously with weekly site rotation. The separate oral version is swallowed as a tablet and needs no reconstitution.
What are the most common VK2735 side effects?expand_more
The most common VK2735 side effects are gastrointestinal: in the subcutaneous VENTURE trial nausea affected about 36.6% of participants, constipation 21.1%, and vomiting 12.6%, with most events mild to moderate, concentrated early in treatment, and decreasing over time. The oral tablet showed higher GI rates (nausea ~58%, vomiting ~26%). Slow dose titration helps limit these. As an incretin-class drug it also carries theoretical class risks such as gallbladder events, pancreatitis, and hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas, though long-term VK2735-specific safety data are not yet established.
Related Guides & Tools
Step-by-step references for reconstituting, measuring, and storing VK2735, plus the universal dosing calculator.
Academic References & Study Citations
Bays HE, et al. Weekly Subcutaneous VK2735, a GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Dual Agonist, for Weight Management: Phase 2, Randomized, 13-Week VENTURE Study. Obesity. 2026. View Scientific Paper →
Viking Therapeutics. Announces Results from Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonist VK2735 (half-life ~170-250 h, Tmax ~75-90 h, up to 7.8% weight loss at 28 days). PR Newswire, March 28, 2023. View Scientific Paper →
Viking Therapeutics. VK2735 pipeline page — dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist for obesity (subcutaneous and oral formulations). View Scientific Paper →
Viking Therapeutics. Announces Positive Top-Line Results from Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing Trial of VK2735 Tablet Formulation in Patients with Obesity. PR Newswire, 2025. View Scientific Paper →
Viking Therapeutics. Announces Initiation of Phase 3 Obesity Clinical Program (VANQUISH) with GLP-1/GIP Agonist VK2735 (7.5/12.5/17.5 mg weekly, 78 weeks). PR Newswire, 2025. View Scientific Paper →
ClinicalTrials.gov. Phase 1 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of VK2735, NCT05203237. View Scientific Paper →
Bays HE, et al. Weekly Subcutaneous VK2735 (VENTURE), Obesity 2026 — journal article (DOI). View Scientific Paper →
Healio Endocrinology. GLP-1/GIP dual agonist confers 'robust' weight loss at 13 weeks for adults with obesity (VENTURE coverage). January 26, 2026. View Scientific Paper →