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Experienced Executive Brings Over Two Decades of Leadership Across Healthcare, Digital Health and Commercialization

, /PRNewswire/ -- Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (Viking) (NASDAQ: VKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, today announced the appointment of Dorothy Gemmell to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Ms. Gemmell is a highly experienced executive and board advisor with over 25 years of leadership experience across healthcare, digital health, and commercialization. She has served as president or chief commercial officer at numerous companies, including GoodRx, Capsule, and Havas Life, leading growth initiatives, scaling organizations, and developing revenue models across payer, provider, employer, and pharmaceutical markets. Additionally, she advises venture- and private equity-backed companies on go-to-market strategies, enterprise sales, and commercialization. Ms. Gemmell holds a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from McGill University.

"On behalf of the Board and management team, I am pleased to welcome Dorothy to Viking as a new director," said Brian Lian, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Viking Therapeutics. "Dorothy joins our Board as Viking advances its next-generation therapies, prepares for VK2735's potential launch, and strengthens our commercialization capabilities. At this critical time for the company, her proven ability to translate innovation into commercial success, build high-performing teams, and execute growth strategies in the healthcare sector makes her a valuable addition to our Board. We look forward to her insight as we continue working to deliver meaningful therapies to patients."

"Scientific innovation has rapidly reshaped one of healthcare's greatest challenges, creating unprecedented opportunities to improve the health and lives of millions of people living with obesity and other chronic metabolic diseases," said Ms. Gemmell. "I am excited to work with the Viking Board and management team to advance its portfolio of innovative therapies, starting with VK2735, which has the potential to change the standard of care for weight loss and help people achieve important associated cardiometabolic health benefits."

"Dorothy's commercial expertise strengthens and complements the Board's extensive depth in pharmaceutical development," said Lawson Macartney, D.V.M., Ph.D., Viking's chairman. "Her experience in implementing successful commercialization strategies enhances our Board and will be extremely valuable as we continue to execute on our long-term goals." 

About Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing a next-generation portfolio of therapies for obesity and metabolic disease.  Guided by deep expertise in metabolic biology and rigorous science, Viking is developing innovative treatments to help people achieve meaningful, lasting health improvements by treating obesity first. The company's lead program, VK2735, is a dual glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist in development in both subcutaneous and oral formulations for obesity. VK2735 is currently being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical studies for obesity, and a Phase 1 study designed to evaluate maintenance dosing strategies to support long-term weight management. Viking's pipeline also includes additional obesity programs, including VK3019, an amylin receptor agonist, VK2809, an orally available thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for metabolic and liver disease, and VK0214 for the rare genetic disorder X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). For more information about Viking Therapeutics, please visit www.vikingtherapeutics.com.

SOURCE Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

Resources Investor Relations Journalists Agencies Client Login Send a Release News Products Contact , /PRNewswire/ -- Kuehn Law, PLLC, a shareholder litigation law firm, is investigating whether certain officers and directors of Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VKTX) breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders.  The investigation concerns potential self-dealing. Shareholders may be entitled to damages and corporate governance reforms.

If you are a long-term VKTX stockholder please contact Sophia Anne Silayan by email at [email protected] or call (833) 672-0814.  The consultation and case are free with no obligation to you.  Kuehn Law pays all case costs and does not charge its investor clients. Shareholders should contact the firm immediately as there may be limited time to enforce your rights. 

Why Your Participation Matters:

As a shareholder your voice matters, and by getting involved, you contribute to the integrity and fairness of the financial markets. Your investment. Your voice. Your future.™ 

For additional information, please visit Shareholder Derivative Litigation - Kuehn Law.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contacts:
Kuehn Law, PLLC
Justin Kuehn, Esq.
53 Hill Street, Suite 605
Southampton, NY 11968
[email protected]
(833) 672-0814

SOURCE Kuehn Law, PLLC

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Following an excellent run in June, when the stock rose by more than 19%, Viking Therapeutics (VKTX +1.95%) stock recently dipped, potentially creating a buying opportunity for an exciting growth stock with huge potential in the weight-loss drug sector. Is the dip enough to make the stock a buy?

According to Visible Alpha, the Wall Street consensus price target for the stock is just below $91, representing a potential 150% return from the current price. The analyst's excitement about the stock stems from its lead drug candidate, VK2735, and its potential in the highly lucrative weight-loss market.

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VK2735 is being developed as a dual formulation therapy, whereby, for example, it can be initially taken by injection (subcutaneously) and later in oral form as a maintenance dose or to continue weight loss. Investors are also hoping the promising efficacy data (VK2735 appears to have a steeper velocity of weight loss than rival drugs) from the phase 2 trials (oral and subcutaneous) will be repeated in phase 3 trials. The subcutaneous phase 3 trial is in progress, while the oral phase 3 trial will begin in the fourth quarter of this year.

Is it a stock to buy? VK2735 is a potential game changer for the company, but risks remain, not least due to some questionable tolerability data from the phase 2 oral trial. Moreover, the phase 3 results from the subcutaneous VK2735 trial won't be available until late 2027 at the earliest, and the oral 2735 phase 3 results aren't due until 2028.

Image source: Getty Images.

That said, there is a phase 1 maintenance dosing trial (participants will take subcutaneous VK2735 for 19 weeks before switching to a range of subcutaneous and oral maintenance doses) in progress, with results from the subcutaneous period due in the current quarter and the oral maintenance results due in the first half of 2027.

Wall Street says "buy," but cautious investors may want to wait to monitor the maintenance trial results before buying in, as the phase 3 results won't come out for a while.

Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Viking Therapeutics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Key Takeaways Viking Therapeutics' Q2 report is expected to spotlight updates on its VK2735 obesity pipeline.VKTX is advancing late-stage VK2735 studies, with key data not expected before next year.VKTX plans SC maintenance results on VK2735 in Q3 2026 and late-stage oral program initiation in Q4 2026. We expect investors to focus on updates related to Viking Therapeutics’ (VKTX - Free Report) pipeline when it reports second-quarter 2026 earnings. In the last reported quarter, the company’s earnings missed expectations by more than 44%.

Since the company lacks a marketed drug in its portfolio, no revenues are expected to have been recorded. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at a loss of $1.21 per share.

Factors Likely to Shape VKTX’s Upcoming ResultsInvestor focus will likely be on pipeline updates. Viking Therapeutics’ lead candidate is VK2735, which is being developed to treat obesity.

The company is conducting two late-stage studies (VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2) on the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of VK2735. While VANQUISH-1 is evaluating the drug in obese adults with at least one weight-related co-morbid condition and without type II diabetes (T2D), VANQUISH-2 is assessing its efficacy in obese or overweight adults with T2D. Data from these studies is not expected before next year.

Investors will likely be seeking updates on the ongoing maintenance dosing study on VK2735, which was initiated last year. This study is evaluating multiple regimens — monthly SC, weekly oral and daily oral dosing — to determine whether the initial weight loss achieved with weekly SC dosing can be sustained. The company had previously announced that it would report SC maintenance results in the third quarter of 2026, followed by oral maintenance results in the first half of 2027.

Investors will also likely be interested in seeking updates from VKTX on the study design for the late-stage program on the oral version of VK2735. Viking Therapeutics had previously announced plans to start the program in the fourth quarter of 2026.

VKTX’s Earnings Surprise HistoryThe biotech firm’s performance has been dismal over the past four quarters. Its earnings missed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering a negative average surprise of 36.70%.

VKTX Stock PerformanceYear to date, shares of the company have gained more than 3% compared withthe industry’s nearly 2% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

What Our Model Predicts for VKTXPer our proven model, companies with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), #2 (Buy) or#3 (Hold) have a good chance of delivering an earnings beat. This is not the case here. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Viking has an Earnings ESP of 0.00% and a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Stocks With Favorable CombinationsHere are some drug/biotech stocks that have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this time around:

Absci Corporation (ABSI - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +15.22% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.

Shares of ABSI have skyrocketed about 136% year to date. The company’s earnings beat estimates in one of the trailing four quarters, while missing the mark on the other three occasions. Agenus delivered an average negative surprise of 17.58%. Absci will report second-quarter 2026 earnings on Aug. 11, after market close.

Edgewise Therapeutics (EWTX - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +13.28% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.

Shares of EWTX have surged 54% year to date. The company’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters while missing out on one occasion, delivering an average surprise of 5.06%.

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $36.37, demonstrating a -3.81% change from the preceding day's closing price. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.51%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a drop of 0.2%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 1.47%.

Shares of the company have appreciated by 24.83% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Medical sector's gain of 3.63%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.53%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Viking Therapeutics, Inc. in its upcoming release. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at -$1.21, signifying a 108.62% drop compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of -$4.7 per share and revenue of $0 million, indicating changes of -47.34% and 0%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Viking Therapeutics, Inc. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Viking Therapeutics, Inc. currently has a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is part of the Medical sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 100, positioning it in the top 41% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

Viking Therapeutics is advancing its GLP-1 weight-loss pipeline, with Phase 3 trials progressing and oral formulation development accelerating. The consensus analyst price targets average $92.58, suggesting substantial upside. Recent biotech sector M&A highlights VKTX's potential valuation in a rapidly expanding GLP-1 market.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX +2.48%) may be one of biotech's most tempting buyout targets, thanks to its weight loss drug pipeline and massive obesity market opportunity. But the stock also carries serious risk, especially as a better-funded rival gains a head start. The upside could be substantial, but only if the data, timing, and buyer interest line up.

Stock prices used were the market prices of June 26, 2026. The video was published on July 7, 2026.

Rick Orford has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Viking Therapeutics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick Orford is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link, they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

The GLP-1 trade has matured from a single-stock story into a tiered opportunity set. Demand for obesity therapeutics keeps expanding as lower-cost, easier-to-administer oral pill versions of the current injectable GLP-1s are introduced to the market in 2026, and the field now spans an entrenched leader, a deep-value incumbent, and a clinical-stage challenger with multiple near-term catalysts. Heading into July, here are three US-listed GLP-1 names worth a closer look, each with a tool-verified data point, a bull case, and a clear risk.

Eli Lilly (LLY): The Category Killer Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY | LLY Price Prediction) is the franchise stock of the GLP-1 era, and the price action reflects it. Shares are up nearly 15% year to date and more than 60% over the past year, with a market cap of roughly $1.16 trillion as of July 7.

Q1 2026 was a statement quarter. Lilly posted EPS of $8.55 versus the $6.79 consensus on revenue of $19.80 billion, up 56% year over year. Mounjaro generated $8.66 billion (+125% YoY) and Zepbound delivered $4.16 billion (+80% YoY). Management raised full-year guidance to $82.0 billion to $85.0 billion in revenue and $35.50 to $37.00 in non-GAAP EPS.

The bull case rests on a one-two punch: injectable dominance plus the only oral pill with no food/water restriction. CEO David Ricks said “A key milestone was the U.S. FDA approval of Foundayo, the only approved GLP-1 pill that can be taken any time of day, without food and water restrictions. Foundayo will meaningfully expand the number of people who can benefit from GLP-1s.”

Risk: Realized prices fell 13% in Q1 2026 due to rebate adjustments and market-access agreements, and Mounjaro’s NRDL addition in China is pressuring international pricing. Revenue concentration in two products remains the obvious vulnerability.

Novo Nordisk (NVO): The Beaten-Down Incumbent Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) is the contrarian pick. The maker of Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus is down nearly 28% over the past year, with a market cap of around $169 billion. Per writer context, shares trade at roughly 10x earnings and sit near 45% below their 52-week high. Note that NVO is an ADR, so dividends are subject to Danish withholding tax at source.

Sentiment is beginning to shift. Reddit’s aggregate score on NVO flipped to 63 (Bullish) on June 30, up from readings of 22-29 (Bearish) in early June, and shares have rebounded more than 2% over the past month.

The bull case is valuation-driven. NVO posts elite margins (gross margin near 81%, operating margin around 41%) and remains one of only two players with a commercial oral GLP-1 already on the market. If the company stabilizes US share against Lilly, mean reversion alone offers material upside.

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Risk: Novo has been steadily losing ground to Mounjaro and Zepbound, and Jim Cramer recently noted Lilly’s pipeline could deliver “the unassailable knockout punch against Novo Nordisk because it’s got fat busting without muscle crunch.” A value trap is the obvious failure mode.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX): The High-Risk Wild Card Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) is explicitly the speculative slot. Market cap sits at about $4.7 billion, and shares have rallied nearly 38% over the past month, with a one-year gain of nearly 47%.

Lead asset VK2735 is a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist in both subcutaneous and oral formulations. The Phase 2 oral readout showed up to 12% mean body weight reduction after 13 weeks. VANQUISH-1 is fully enrolled with approximately 4,500 patients, and the Phase 3 oral program is expected to begin in Q3 2026, with maintenance dosing results also due that quarter. Cash and investments stood at roughly $706 million at year-end 2025.

CEO Brian Lian framed the differentiation as “the only dual agonist molecule with the potential to dose monthly or to allow transition from subcutaneous to oral administration for weight maintenance.”

Risk: Viking is pre-revenue, with a 2025 net loss of $359.64 million and a cash position that fell from $903 million at the start of 2025 to $706 million at year-end. Phase 3 readouts could land either way, and a single negative trial would reset the equity story.

What to Watch Next July’s setup is event-rich: Lilly’s Foundayo launch metrics, Novo’s competitive response, and Viking’s Q3 catalyst calendar. Position sizing matters across the three, because the risk profiles are not interchangeable. The GLP-1 trade is broadening, and the opportunity set looks wider than at any point in the last twelve months.

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The short, but glib, answer to the headline question posed for Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 0.32%) investors is "no," because the likelihood is that the $4.6 billion market cap company will be bought up by a larger pharmaceutical company if it has success in its clinical trials, and particularly with its lead drug candidate VK2735. Still, that doesn't mean the company can't deliver substantial value to investors. Here's why.

A competitive market for VK2735 VK2735 is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist in development for weight loss and diabetes management. It's part of a growing and popular class of drugs that already dominate the weight loss market, thanks to blockbuster drugs like Eli Lilly's (LLY +1.35%) Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Novo Nordisk's (NVO +3.29%) Wegovy (semaglutide).

Image source: Getty Images.

At which point, investors are entitled to ask how Viking can hope to grab market share in a competitive market. It's a market where Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk already have blockbusters, have oral weight loss pills approved, and continue to develop new drugs in the GLP-1 class.

What makes VK2735 different Viking's VK2735 has a couple of qualities that set it apart from the competition.

First, it's in development as a dual-formulation therapy. This raises the potential for it to be initially administered as an injectable to rapidly lose weight, then shifted to a less intrusive, more convenient oral dose for maintenance.

Second, VK2735 has demonstrated, in both injectable and oral form, an ability to significantly reduce weight loss. Note that the mid-teens percentage baseline weight loss in the two phase 2 VK2735 trials occurred at 13 weeks, compared to much longer periods for the Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk oral offerings.

This raises the prospect of rapid weight loss over, say, a few months using the injectable form, before switching to the oral form for maintenance or to continue weight loss. This sort of option might be more attractive for many over taking oral pills for a year and a half to produce similar results.

Company

Clinical Trial

Drug Name

Formulation

Peak Weight Loss

Time to Peak Results

Current status

Novo Nordisk

Phase 3

Wegovy (semaglutide)

Oral

16.6%

64 weeks

Approved December 2025

Eli Lilly

Phase 3

Foundayo (orforglipron)

Oral

12.4%

72 weeks

Approved April 2026

Viking

Phase 2

VK2735

Subcutaneous

14.7%

13 weeks

Phase 3 results due mid to late 2027

Viking

Phase 2

VK2735

Oral

12.2%

13 weeks

Phase 3 results due late 2028 or early 2029

Data source: Company presentations.

To that end, Viking is conducting a phase 1 maintenance study in which participants will take injectable VK2735 for 19 weeks before moving to a maintenance dose, including weekly, biweekly, and monthly injectable dosing, as well as daily and weekly oral dosing. The results from the subcutaneous dosing are due for release in the third quarter of this year, but investors will have to wait until early 2027 for the oral dosing data.

The bears' viewpoint The glass-half-empty view holds that, aside from the phase 1 maintenance data, it won't be until late 2027 that Viking starts reporting phase 3 results for subcutaneous VK2735, and until 2028 for oral VK2735. Investors will need to be patient, and a lot can happen in that time.

In addition, the phase 2 oral trial has questionable safety and tolerability data, with a 20% discontinuation rate due to adverse events in the treated group, compared with 13% in the placebo group.

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A stock to buy? The bullish case argues that the titration in the phase 2 oral trial was too aggressive (note the 13-week dosing period) and that the phase 3 data will likely improve on it after management adjusts the titration. In addition, the phase 1 maintenance trial is expected to be successful and demonstrate the potential of the dual-formulation approach.

All told, there's a lot to like about Viking Therapeutics, and it wouldn't be surprising to see a larger company move in if the phase 1 maintenance trial data are good.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 0.11%) is a challenger in the obesity drugs gold rush, trailing Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as they rake in cash from their highly successful medicines. Viking's lead candidate, VK2735, has shown in mid-stage clinical trials that it can take real weight off, but even good clinical data is a long way from owning market share, and Viking may never make that crossing.

So, how much would a $1,000 investment in the company today grow into by 2030 if VK2735 wins approval, and how much could evaporate if it falters?

This market is so big that a small player could make out like a bandit By 2030, the weight loss drugs market could be worth around $95 billion, per an estimate from Goldman Sachs. J.P. Morgan estimates the broader market for GLP-1 medicines, which includes diabetes treatments, at nearly $200 billion by the same year. Let's go with a $150 billion figure, a rough midpoint of those ranges, as our starting point for forecasting what a $1,000 investment in Viking would do.

The scenario here is that VK2735, sold as both a weekly shot and a daily pill, could capture 1% of the market. We calculate that 1% of $150 billion is $1.5 billion in annual sales. With a rich valuation multiple on those sales, say with a price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of about 10, the company would be worth around $15 billion; it's worth $4.4 billion today, so in this case, a $1,000 investment would grow to reach somewhere in the ballpark of $3,400.

That isn't the whole story, though, because Viking, like most clinical-stage biotechs, is burning its $603 million in cash and equivalents at a rapid pace and will almost certainly issue new shares of its stock to fund a phase 3 trial for the oral formulation of VK2735 as well as to fund its commercialization, assuming it gets approved by regulators. If the share count swells by more than 33% from today due to new fundraising, a $1,000 investment would then be roughly $2,500.

Image source: Getty Images.

To stretch an initial investment of $1,000 to an end value of $10,000, VK2735 would need to capture something like 3% to 5% of the market, plus having a premium multiple, and its shares would also need to experience minimal dilution from here.

That's certainly possible, but it's unlikely.

What VK2735 has to beat If a 1% slice of the weight-loss drug market sounds too small, it's because the competition is already fierce. It might be 2028 or 2029 before VK2735 gets approved and sold, assuming it does. By then, the playing field is more like a wall.

Lilly and Novo Nordisk already own the category with tirzepatide and semaglutide, and both now sell pills alongside their injections. Lilly's next-generation triple agonist retatrutide took an average of 28.3% of body weight off over 80 weeks in a phase 3 trial, a very high bar for any medicines that need to compete with it. Novo has its next combination therapy already under review by regulators, with more candidates lined up in the pipeline.

So, VK2735 will not be the fresh face when it lands; it will be the latecomer.

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With that said, Viking's data reads well in isolation. VK2735 led to up to 14.7% weight loss from the injectable in mid-stage testing. Again, to claim even 1% of the market, VK2735 needs a real edge in effectiveness, price, and/or tolerability, not just being a drug that also works.

The injectable's phase 3 program doesn't complete until 2027, and the oral trials are only now starting, though a phase 1 maintenance dosing readout is expected in the third quarter of 2026, which could shift near-term sentiment either way. The candidate may fail to reproduce their favorable data in a larger cohort. In that scenario, a pre-revenue biotech of this profile typically drops 60% to 80%, reducing a $1,000 investment to a couple of hundred dollars.

So, under the best-case scenario, a $1,000 investment in Viking could be worth $10,000 by 2030, but the most likely outcome is closer to $2,500, assuming most of what can go right does. It's a risky play and one that fits best as a small position for investors comfortable with a wide range of outcomes.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 0.32%) stock rose by 19.2% in June, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The move comes as optimism rises over the company's pipeline development program, notably in weight-loss drugs, and the initiation of a Phase 1 study in a new class of weight-loss drugs that offers a different mechanism from the current GLP-1/GIP class.

Viking Therapeutics and VK2735 Speaking of GLP-1/GIP class drugs, Viking's lead drug candidate, VK2735, is a GLP-1/GIP agonist. It's part of a crowded field that includes blockbuster weight loss drugs from Eli Lilly (LLY +1.35%) and Novo Nordisk (NVO +3.29%).

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That said, VK2735 does have some distinguishing characteristics that mark it out from rivals. As previously discussed, VK2735 has demonstrated a steeper rate of weight loss in the treated groups in Phase 2 clinical trials for both oral and injectable formulations. The hope is that Viking will demonstrate similar efficacy with no safety or tolerability issues in the ongoing Phase 3 trial for injectable VK2735, as well as in the Phase 3 trial for oral VK2735, which is due to start later this year. Investors will probably have to wait until 2027 and 2028, respectively, for the results of those trials.

The second major plus about VK2735 is that it's being developed as a dual-formulation therapy, with the potential for an initial injectable dose to achieve rapid weight loss, followed by an orally administered maintenance dose. In fact, Viking has an ongoing Phase 1 maintenance trial with initial results (for the 19-week injectable dose) due in the third quarter, followed by results for the oral maintenance dose, set for early 2027.

Investor optimism over these trials grew in June.

Image source: Getty Images.

Viking Therapeutics and VK3019 In addition, the company announced the initiation of a Phase 1 study of VK3019, an investigational dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA). It represents a new class of drug with a different mechanism, and the trial is proof positive that Viking has more in its arsenal of weight-loss drugs than VK2735.

Where next for Viking Therapeutics History is littered with pharmaceutical companies that rode a wave of optimism only to disappoint investors, and that may happen again with Viking. That said, VK2735 clearly has a lot of potential, not least as an efficacious dual-formulation strategy, and if Phase 1 maintenance trial results are positive, investors will be more willing to price that potential in. Something for investors to hope for in 2026.

Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool recommends Viking Therapeutics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Shares of Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 4.54%) have climbed by 27% over the past month. The drugmaker is a serious candidate to make waves in the large and growing anti-obesity drug market. With several ongoing clinical trials, there could be important catalysts on the horizon. Viking's shares are currently trading at about $40 apiece. Could the stock soar over the next 18 months and reach $100?

Image source: The Motley Fool.

The bull case for Viking Therapeutics Viking Therapeutics' leading weight-loss candidate, VK2735, mimics the actions of two gut hormones, GLP-1 and GIP. The former helps control satiety, while the latter helps regulate blood glucose. Medicines that activate both pathways could deliver better weight loss than those that only mimic the GLP-1 hormone, as we have seen with Zepbound, a dual GLP-1 and GIP agonist that is currently the best-selling weight management drug. Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 is undergoing a pair of phase 3 studies in overweight or obese patients.

One of them has also enrolled those with diabetes. We could see results from these studies within 12 to 18 months. That's likely the biggest catalyst on the horizon for Viking Therapeutics. However, the company is working on other candidates, including an oral formulation of VK2735, which should also start phase 3 studies by year-end (the one currently in late-stage trials is administered via subcutaneous injection). What if Viking Therapeutics posts strong clinical trial results for subcutaneous VK2735, perhaps showing that it could rival -- or even exceed -- Zepbound's efficacy?

In that case, Viking Therapeutics' share price will soar. In the meantime, the company may also benefit if other drugmakers report disappointing clinical trial data for their weight-loss candidates. And elsewhere, Viking Therapeutics is running a study to test whether various doses and formulations of VK2735, given daily or weekly, can help patients keep the weight off.

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This is an important initiative for the company, since many who take anti-obesity medicines end up regaining much of the weight they lost. Positive results from this maintenance trial could also jolt the stock price. Finally, Viking Therapeutics recently launched a phase 1 study for a brand-new weight-loss medicine that mimics the actions of the amylin and calcitonin hormones, which help regulate blood sugar, appetite, and calcium levels.

Targeting different pathways could address some shortcomings of current weight loss options, including undesirable side effects. Viking Therapeutics has a multipronged strategy that could eventually position it as a leader in the weight loss market.

Reasons to be skeptical Viking Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech with no marketed products. That makes the stock inherently risky. Further, upcoming catalysts, especially phase 3 results for VK2735, will be binary events, where positive results will send the stock price soaring, while poor data will sink it. Also, progress in the industry over the next year will be important -- and more late-stage clinical trial weight loss successes will make it even harder for Viking Therapeutics to impress the market. What should investors do? My view is that Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 posted robust phase 2 results, and there is a reasonable chance it will impress investors with its late-stage studies. And if it does, reaching $100 by the end of 2027 is by no means unachievable. However, the stock is also on the risky side, and risk-averse investors should probably stay away.

Key Takeaways NVO and VKTX offer contrasting investment profiles, balancing market leadership with clinical-stage potential.Novo Nordisk pairs blockbuster GLP-1 drugs with new indications, formulations and pipeline expansion.VKTX is advancing VK2735 through phase III studies while expanding its obesity pipeline with VK3019. Novo Nordisk (NVO - Free Report) and Viking Therapeutics (VKTX - Free Report) are both riding on the powerful growth trend in obesity care, a market expected to expand significantly as demand for effective weight-loss treatments continues to rise. While NVO has already established itself as a leader with blockbuster GLP-1 therapies, VKTX is developing promising next-generation obesity drugs that could emerge as strong competitors if they succeed in late-stage development and commercialization.

Novo Nordisk is widely recognized as the market leader in the GLP-1 space, marketing its semaglutide drugs under brand names Ozempic (pre-filled pen and oral tablet) and Rybelsus (oral tablet) for type II diabetes (T2D) and Wegovy (injection and pill) for chronic weight management and cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction.

On the other hand, Viking Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech firm. Its investigational dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, VK2735, has shown blockbuster potential in early to mid-stage studies for treating obesity.

The comparison also highlights the contrast between an established pharmaceutical giant and a high-risk, high-reward biotech. NVO offers investors a proven commercial franchise, consistent cash flows and global scale, while VKTX provides exposure to the potential upside of a clinical-stage innovator with a pipeline that has attracted significant investor attention. Together, they represent two distinct ways to invest in the rapidly evolving obesity treatment market.

Let's examine the fundamentals of the two stocks to make a prudent choice.

The Case for NVO StockNovo Nordisk has achieved tremendous success in the cardiometabolic treatment space, driven primarily by Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy. As of 2025-end, Novo Nordisk remained the market leader with a total GLP-1 volume market share of 54.6% globally across diabetes and obesity care.

Novo Nordisk is pursuing new indications for its semaglutide drugs, including CV and other indications. In 2025, Rybelsus became the first oral therapy approved in the United States to lower the risk of major adverse CV events in high-risk T2D patients, regardless of prior CV history. Wegovy’s label includes CV, HFpEF and osteoarthritis indications, while Ozempic remains the only GLP-1 approved to slow kidney disease and reduce CV death in patients with diabetes. Higher-dose Wegovy injections have been approved in the United States and the EU, expanding its portfolio and enabling the company to better tailor treatment options to the diverse needs and preferences of patients with obesity. NVO is also seeking to expand Ozempic’s label to include peripheral artery disease.

In late December, the FDA approved NVO’s 25 mg oral semaglutide (Wegovy pill) for obesity and CV disease, which was subsequently launched in early January. Since launch, the pill has already surpassed three million prescriptions, suggesting solid traction. A regulatory filing for the Wegovy pill is also currently under review in the EU. The FDA recently approved oral Ozempic (1.5 mg, 4 mg, and 9 mg) for adult patients with T2D, which was subsequently launched in the United States. A supplemental application for a higher 25 mg tablet is also under review, with a regulatory decision expected by the end of 2026. Novo Nordisk also intends to seek regulatory approval for both Rybelsus and oral Ozempic in children and adolescents aged 10 to 17 years with T2D in the United States and the EU in the second half of 2026.

Novo Nordisk is advancing its next-generation obesity pipeline. It has submitted a regulatory filing seeking the approval of CagriSema injection, a follow-up drug to Wegovy, for obesity. Meanwhile, its mid-stage asset, amycretin, has shown strong weight-loss efficacy in a phase II study and is slated to enter phase III soon. The company has bolstered its pipeline through several major collaborations and acquisition deals.

Beyond GLP-1s, NVO is building its Rare Disease franchise, advancing Mim8 in hemophilia A, and securing both EU and U.S. approvals for Alhemo to treat hemophilia A and B, with or without inhibitors. Meanwhile, the FDA has granted accelerated approval for Wegovy in treating MASH with fibrosis. Novo Nordisk and rival Eli Lilly (LLY - Free Report) have also introduced multiple price cuts in response to pressure from the U.S. government during 2025 and 2026 to improve patient access to GLP-1 medicines.

Despite the recent wins, Novo Nordisk is far from being out of the woods yet. It has been facing increasing competition from Eli Lilly, which markets its tirzepatide (GLP-1) medicines as Mounjaro for T2D and Zepbound for obesity. Despite being on the market for just over three years, these drugs have become LLY’s key top-line drivers. Lilly recently secured FDA approval of its oral GLP-1 drug, orforglipron, for adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related medical problems, marketed under the brand name Foundayo. The drug competes directly with NVO’s Wegovy pill.

Although Novo Nordisk’s post-first-quarter guidance raise offered some reassurance, the bigger picture remains cautious — management still expects both sales and operating profit to decline in 2026, underscoring weak core momentum and mounting structural challenges. The modestly improved outlook reflects stronger GLP-1 demand, broader adoption of obesity treatments and ongoing Wegovy launches. However, these positives are being offset by U.S. pricing pressure, softer injectable GLP-1 prescription trends, reduced Medicaid obesity coverage, intensifying competition from Eli Lilly, “Most Favored Nation” pricing agreement, gradual semaglutide exclusivity losses in select markets and elevated spending on R&D, manufacturing and commercial expansion.

The Case for VKTX StockViking Therapeutics is one of the few biotech stocks that have shown immense potential in the obesity space. Its lead experimental obesity drug and primary value driver, VK2735, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, has delivered encouraging efficacy across both subcutaneous (SC) and oral formulations, positioning it as one of the more promising late-stage obesity therapies currently under development.

Last year, Viking Therapeutics started a late-stage program evaluating VK2735 SC for adults with obesity across two phase III studies — VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2. While VANQUISH-1 is evaluating the candidate in obese adults with at least one weight-related co-morbid condition and without T2D, VANQUISH-2 is assessing its efficacy in obese or overweight adults with T2D. While VANQUISH-1 finished enrolment last year with about 4,500 patients, VANQUISH-2 recently completed enrolment with about 1,000 patients. However, data from both phase III studies are not expected until 2027. Additionally, VKTX is on track to initiate late-stage studies of the oral formulation of VK2735 later in 2026.

Viking Therapeutics is also gearing up to report data from the ongoing maintenance dosing study. This study is evaluating multiple regimens — including monthly SC, weekly oral and daily oral dosing — to determine whether the weight loss achieved with weekly SC administration can be maintained over the long term. Viking Therapeutics expects to report SC maintenance data in the third quarter of 2026, followed by oral maintenance data in the first half of 2027.

Viking Therapeutics recently advanced a second obesity drug candidate, VK3019, into a phase I clinical study. The study will evaluate the investigational dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist in healthy volunteers, assessing its safety, tolerability and pharmacological profile. The move broadens VKTX’s obesity pipeline beyond VK2735.

Unlike VK2735, VK3019 is designed to activate amylin and calcitonin receptors, potentially enabling use as both a standalone therapy and in combination with existing weight-loss drugs. A more diversified pipeline could enhance Viking Therapeutics’ long-term growth prospects in obesity.

Yet, VKTX’s biggest challenge lies in its lack of an approved product in its portfolio and the intense competition from pharma giants that already dominate the obesity landscape.

How Do Estimates Compare for NVO & VKTX?The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Novo Nordisk’s 2026 sales and earnings per share (EPS) implies a year-over-year decline of around 2.45% and 13.64%, respectively. EPS estimates for 2026 have been trending upward over the past 60 days, while those for 2027 also show improvement over the same period.

NVO Estimate MovementImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

Devoid of a marketed product, we expect Viking Therapeutics’ 2026 loss per share to widen by 47.34%. Loss estimates for 2026 and 2027 have widened over the past 60 days.

VKTX Estimate MovementImage Source: Zacks Investment Research

Price Performance and Valuation of NVO & VKTXYear to date, shares of NVO have lost 5.5%, while those of VKTX have gained 8.2%. In comparison, the industry has returned 11.7%, as seen in the chart below.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Viking Therapeutics is more expensive than Novo Nordisk, going by the price/book (P/B) ratio. VKTX’s shares currently trade at 8.8 times trailing book value, higher than 6.75 for NVO.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

NVO vs. VKTX: Which Stock Holds the Edge?Novo Nordisk and Viking Therapeutics currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each at present, which makes a clear winner difficult to determine. However, from the point of view of a better pick, Novo Nordisk is undoubtedly the way to go.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Viking Therapeutics offers compelling long-term upside, driven by the promising clinical profile of VK2735 and the expansion of its obesity pipeline with VK3019. However, the company remains a clinical-stage biotech with no approved products, making its investment case heavily dependent on the success of late-stage studies and regulatory approvals in an increasingly competitive obesity market.

Novo Nordisk, despite near-term headwinds from pricing pressure and intensifying competition, remains the stronger investment choice. Its established portfolio of blockbuster GLP-1 medicines, continued label expansions that broaden the eligible patient population, ongoing regulatory filings for new indications and formulations and a diversified late-stage pipeline provide multiple growth drivers. Combined with its proven commercial execution and global scale, these strengths make NVO the better pick for investors seeking a more balanced risk-reward profile.

High-stakes clinical trials define the 2026 landscape for Dyne Therapeutics (DYN +0.48%) and Viking Therapeutics (VKTX +1.26%). Both firms seek to revolutionize patient care while navigating the complex path toward regulatory approval.

Dyne targets rare neuromuscular conditions with a proprietary delivery platform, while Viking focuses on the massive metabolic and endocrine markets. Comparing these two helps you understand whether to bet on specialized orphan diseases or high-demand weight-loss therapies. Both companies are clinical-stage, meaning they are still testing products and do not yet have recurring sales.

The case for Dyne TherapeuticsDyne focuses on the FORCE platform to deliver targeted therapies for neuromuscular diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Pompe disease. By utilizing its proprietary platform, the company aims to overcome limitations of current treatments by improving the delivery of genetic medicine to muscle tissue. It currently generates no commercial revenue and depends on a critical loan agreement with Hercules Capital for its operational funding. The company also relies on various third-party organizations to manufacture its drug components and conduct its clinical trials.

During FY 2025, the company reported revenue of $0.0. The business recorded a net loss of nearly $446.2 million for the year. This reflects a substantial increase in losses from the $317.4 million loss seen in the previous fiscal year. Management has prioritized advancing its lead product candidates, which requires significant capital for late-stage studies. These mounting costs are typical for firms in the biotech sector as they invest heavily in research and development.

As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio is 0.19x. This metric compares total debt to shareholder equity to see how much a company relies on lenders. The current ratio, which measures the ability to cover short-term debts with current assets, is approximately 22.3x. A ratio above 1.0 generally suggests a healthy cushion for meeting near-term financial obligations. Free cash flow, which is cash from operations minus capital spending, was roughly negative $405.1 million for FY 2025.

The case for Viking TherapeuticsViking Therapeutics develops novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, with a primary focus on its weight-loss candidate VK2735. It relies on a master license agreement with Ligand Pharmaceuticals for the rights to its most important drug assets. Beyond weight loss, the company is also targeting rare diseases like X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy to diversify its clinical pipeline. The company also maintains a significant agreement with Corden Pharma to handle the production of its active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Similar to its peers among biotech stocks, the company reported $0.0 in revenue for FY 2025. It recognized a net loss of close to $359.6 million during the year. This net loss widened significantly from the roughly $110.0 million loss reported in the previous fiscal year. Increasing clinical trial activity and personnel costs have driven the higher spending levels as the company scales its operations.

According to its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio is 0.0x. This figure indicates the company is not currently carrying any debt relative to its equity. The current ratio is roughly 9.3x, suggesting it has enough liquid assets to cover its upcoming bills multiple times over. Free cash flow for FY 2025 reached approximately negative $278.7 million. Free cash flow is calculated by subtracting capital expenditures from cash flow from operations and represents the cash a company generates after maintaining its assets.

Risk profile comparisonDyne faces substantial risks related to its dependency on external capital to fund ongoing operations. The company has accumulated large deficits, and any failure to secure new funding could force it to halt development. Its product candidates are unproven and face high failure rates in clinical trials. Furthermore, it relies on single-source suppliers for drug components, and the neuromuscular market is crowded with well-funded competitors.

Viking is heavily dependent on its license agreement with Ligand Pharmaceuticals, and any breach of that contract could end some drug programs. It also faces concentration risk by relying on Corden Pharma for its manufacturing needs. The company is currently subject to an investigation regarding potential violations of federal securities laws. Finally, it faces intense competition from industry giants like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Valuation comparisonDyne Therapeutics appears cheaper based on Forward P/E, which measures price against future earnings estimates. Neither firm currently generates sales to calculate a P/S ratio.

MetricDyne TherapeuticsViking TherapeuticsSector BenchmarkForward P/E9.5x14.0x24.6xP/S ration/an/aSector benchmark uses the SPDR XLV sector ETF.
Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.

I'd go with Viking Therapeutics. Both companies are doing important work, but they're pursuing very different-sized opportunities, and that matters when evaluating long-term upside.

Yes, Dyne Therapeutics is making progress in rare neuromuscular diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and its recent clinical data has been encouraging. But rare disease markets are inherently limited in size, and the road to approval is still long.

Viking is playing in one of the biggest healthcare opportunities of our generation. Obesity treatment is a massive and fast-growing market, and Viking has a drug, VK2735, that is showing strong weight loss results in both injectable and oral formulations. Its phase 3 program is underway, and the company just added another obesity mechanism to its pipeline. The competitive landscape includes giants like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, so this is not an easy road. But the upside if Viking's drug succeeds is enormous.

For a patient, long-term investor, that kind of opportunity is hard to pass up.

Key Takeaways VKTX began a phase I study of VK3019 to assess safety, PK, PD and tolerability in healthy volunteers.Viking Therapeutics says VK3019 targets amylin and calcitonin receptors, expanding its obesity pipeline.VKTX expects SC maintenance data for VK2735 in Q3 2026, with oral maintenance data due in first-half 2027. Shares of Viking Therapeutics (VKTX - Free Report) rose about 9% on Wednesday after the company expanded its obesity pipeline by advancing a second drug candidate into clinical development.

The biotech initiated a phase I single-ascending-dose (SAD) study evaluating VK3019, an investigational dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist (DACRA), marking the candidate’s first evaluation in humans. The purpose of the study is to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of single subcutaneous doses of VK3019 in healthy individuals.

The study initiation represents a significant milestone for Viking Therapeutics, diversifying its obesity pipeline beyond its lead candidate, VK2735.

Unlike VK2735, which targets GLP-1 and GIP receptors, VK3019 is designed to activate amylin and calcitonin receptors. The company believes therapies targeting these receptors could potentially be used either as standalone treatments or in combination with GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP-based therapies to improve weight-loss induction and support longer-term weight management.

Viking Therapeutics also highlighted encouraging preclinical data supporting the program, which showed that DACRAs reduced food intake in lean rats within 72 hours of a single dose and lowered body weight by up to 8% compared with controls. The compounds also demonstrated favorable metabolic effects in diet-induced obese mice.

Beyond reducing pipeline concentration risk, the addition of VK3019 could strengthen Viking's strategic value as a potential acquisition or partnership target for larger pharmaceutical/biotech companies looking to expand their obesity portfolios.

VKTX Stock’s PerformanceYear to date, the company’s shares have gained nearly 8% compared with the industry’s 2% growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

VK2735 Remains VKTX’s Primary FocusWhile VK3019 broadens Viking Therapeutics' obesity pipeline, VK2735 remains the company's lead obesity candidate and primary value driver. This dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist has delivered encouraging efficacy across both subcutaneous (SC) and oral formulations, positioning it as one of the more promising late-stage obesity therapies currently under development.

The company is currently evaluating the SC formulation of VK2735 in two pivotal phase III studies. While VANQUISH-1 is enrolling obese or overweight adults with at least one weight-related comorbidity but without type II diabetes (T2D), VANQUISH-2 is assessing the drug in obese or overweight adults with T2D. Viking is on track to initiate late-stage studies of the oral formulation of VK2735 later this year.

However, investors are likely to focus more closely on the upcoming data from the ongoing maintenance dosing study. This study is evaluating multiple regimens — including monthly SC, weekly oral and daily oral dosing — to determine whether the weight loss achieved with weekly SC administration can be maintained over the long term. Viking expects to report SC maintenance data in the third quarter of 2026, followed by oral maintenance data in the first half of 2027.

Competition Intensifies in the Obesity SpaceThe obesity market has garnered significant attention in recent years, as both Eli Lilly (LLY - Free Report) and Novo Nordisk (NVO - Free Report) dominate the space with their respective blockbuster obesity drugs, Zepbound and Wegovy. The obesity market in the United States is expected to reach $100 billion by 2030. To capitalize on this opportunity, both companies have expanded manufacturing capacity while continuing to invest heavily in next-generation obesity therapies.

Although competition initially centered on once-weekly injectable therapies, the focus has increasingly shifted toward more convenient oral alternatives. Earlier this year, Novo Nordisk launched an oral version of Wegovy, while Eli Lilly introduced Foundayo, marking a significant step toward improving patient convenience and broadening access to obesity treatment.

The competitive landscape is now evolving beyond traditional GLP-1 therapies. Both companies are advancing next-generation candidates designed to deliver greater efficacy and improved patient convenience through multi-target mechanisms. Among them, Eli Lilly's retatrutide, a triple agonist targeting the GLP-1, GIP and glucagon receptors, has demonstrated approximately 28% weight loss in late-stage studies—an efficacy level previously associated primarily with bariatric surgery.

Novo Nordisk is advancing its next-generation obesity pipeline. It has submitted a regulatory filing seeking approval of CagriSema injection, a follow-up drug to Wegovy, while another candidate, amycretin, has shown strong weight-loss efficacy in a phase II study and is expected to enter late-stage development soon.

As the competitive landscape shifts toward next-generation obesity therapies with differentiated mechanisms, Viking Therapeutics is broadening its own pipeline. The addition of VK3019 complements VK2735, positioning Viking to compete across multiple therapeutic pathways in the rapidly evolving obesity market.

VKTX’s Zacks RankViking Therapeutics currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

GLP-1 drugs are proving helpful for many conditions, not just weight loss. In studies, they have shown they can reduce cardiovascular risk, sleep apnea, and even curb addictions. They have the potential to truly transform healthcare, and thus, the opportunity here is significant.

Analysts at Grand View Research estimate that the global GLP-1 drug market will be worth more than $185 billion by 2033. That translates into a compounded annual growth rate of 12.4% between now and then, as the market was worth $66.4 billion last year.

A couple of stocks that are intriguing options in the GLP-1 market are Eli Lilly (LLY +0.14%) and Viking Therapeutics (VKTX +6.32%). The former is a heavyweight in the healthcare sector, with a valuation right around $1 trillion, and it's a rock-solid company. The latter is much smaller, but in return, it may offer more upside. Which stock is the better buy if you want to take advantage of the growth opportunities in GLP-1?

Image source: Getty Images.

Eli Lilly is dominant, but its valuation is also high Eli Lilly is the most valuable healthcare stock today, due to the impressive success of its GLP-1 drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound. They are generating billions in revenue for the business and have resulted in a significant acceleration of Eli Lilly's growth rate. In the past, it wouldn't have been uncommon to see the company's growth rate in single digits or lower. Now, however, it's firing on all cylinders, and its growth rate was an impressive 56% during the first three months of 2026, with its revenue totaling $19.8 billion. Profits also nearly tripled, rising from $2.8 billion to $7.4 billion.

The company's incredibly strong fundamentals make it a compelling investment for long-term investors, especially when you factor in how well it's been doing in the GLP-1 race. Mounjaro's sales rose by 125% in Q1, and Zepbound rose by 80%. This is with these drugs still being in their fairly early growth stages. And yet, they combined for nearly $13 billion in revenue this past quarter.

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The only real drawback about Eli Lilly stock these days is that it isn't cheap. It trades at 39 times its trailing earnings. A premium is justifiable for the growth stock, given its impressive results; it's just a matter of how much is too much. By comparison, the average stock on the S&P 500 trades at 25 times its trailing earnings.

Viking Therapeutics doesn't have an approved drug just yet, but if it does, the stock could surge At around $4 billion in market cap, Viking's valuation is a small fraction of Eli Lilly's. But that's also to be expected for a company that doesn't have any approved products and that doesn't generate any revenue today. It's a risky option.

Normally, I wouldn't consider this type of stock, but I believe that Viking is less of a risk than other similar pharma stocks, simply because of how well its GLP-1 drug, VK2735, has been doing in clinical trials. I'm optimistic that it could obtain approval, and if that happens, the stock could instantly skyrocket and potentially become an enticing acquisition target for a larger healthcare company.

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VK2735 is in the midst of phase 3 trials for its subcutaneous version and expects to begin late-stage trials for the oral version later this year. Viking may not be far away from obtaining approval for VK2735, which, in earlier trials, showed that the subcutaneous version was able to help people lose up to 15% of their body weight, on average. While that may not be as high as the weight loss from Eli Lilly's products, it's not sheer weight loss that may be most important but overall tolerability, and thus, there is room for multiple types of drugs in the massive GLP-1 drug market, which is why there could still be strong demand for VK2735 if it obtains approval, as it may be a better fit for some patients.

Which stock should you buy? Both of these GLP-1 stocks can be good buys, but if I were picking one, it would be Viking Therapeutics. Taking a modest position in the stock could be a good strategic move to make, to ensure you aren't investing heavily into a stock with a fair bit of risk.

However, this is what I'd consider to be a calculated risk. VK2735 is involved in multiple trials and has been making good progress. Obtaining even a single approval could be a game changer for the stock. It's not a guarantee, but if you're comfortable with the risk, I think it may be worth buying Viking's stock given the massive upside it may possess in the long run.

In the latest close session, Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX - Free Report) was up +2.16% at $30.29. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 1.22% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.98%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 1.35%.

Prior to today's trading, shares of the company had gained 4.4% outpaced the Medical sector's gain of 4.11% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.56%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Viking Therapeutics, Inc. in its upcoming release. On that day, Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is projected to report earnings of -$1.21 per share, which would represent a year-over-year decline of 108.62%.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of -$4.7 per share and revenue of $0 million, indicating changes of -47.34% and 0%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Viking Therapeutics, Inc. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.72% lower. Viking Therapeutics, Inc. presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is part of the Medical sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 150, putting it in the bottom 39% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.

SAN DIEGO, May 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking Therapeutics, Inc. ("Viking") (NASDAQ: VKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, today announced that it will participate at the William Blair 46th Annual Growth Stock Conference and the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in June. Details of the company's participation are as follows: William Blair 46th Annual Growth Stock Conference Details: Viking management will deliver a corporate presentation, followed by a breakout session, and participate in investor meetings.Conference Dates: June 2-4, 2026Presentation Date/Time: Tuesday, June 2nd at 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm CTBreakout session: Tuesday, June 2nd at 2:40 pm – 3:10 pm CTLocation: Chicago, IL Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference Details: Viking management will participate in a fireside chat and investor meetings.

Big pharma still needs additional late-stage obesity drug assets. Viking's obesity pipeline could attract major pharmaceutical acquisition interest.

These players are seeing exciting results in clinical trials.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock?

The debate over Viking Therapeutics (VKTX +3.10%) will take another turn in Q3. As ever, you have to factor in what competitors such as Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are doing, as well as the unique selling point of Viking's key drug, VK2735.

Image source: Getty Images.

The weight-loss drug market Weight-loss drugs come in injectable and oral forms. The initially approved drugs, including Novo Nordisk's Wegovy (semaglutide) and Eli Lilly's Zepbound (tirzepatide), are injectable. However, Novo Nordisk now has Wegovy approved in an oral formulation, and it's quickly gaining sales traction. Eli Lilly's recently approved oral pill, Foundayo (orforglipron), is also expected to do very well; the Wall Street consensus calls for $1.2 billion in Foundayo sales in 2026, compared with $19.6 billion for Zepbound.

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Why Viking Therapeutics can grab market share VK2735 is in Phase 3 trials for both oral and injectable forms. The bullish case rests on its potential to capture market share. VK2735 has two key advantages and one disadvantage. First, in both Phase 2 trials for VK2735, it demonstrated a significantly steeper velocity of weight loss than its rivals.

Company

Clinical Trial
Phase

Drug Name

Formulation

Peak Weight Loss

Time to Peak Results

Novo Nordisk

Phase 3

Wegovy 

Oral

16.6%

64 weeks

Eli Lilly

Phase 3

Foundayo

Oral

12.4%

72 weeks

VK2735

Phase 2

VK2735

Injectable

14.7%

13 weeks

VK2735

Phase 2

VK2735

Oral

12.2%

13 weeks

Data source: Company presentations.

Second, VK2735 is also being developed as a dual-formulation therapy, and results from a Phase 1 trial will be released in the third quarter of this year.

On a less positive note, the Phase 2 data for oral VK2735 showed excellent efficacy but disappointing tolerability, with a 20% treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse events.

Where next for Viking The bulls hope the Phase 1 maintenance dosing trial will demonstrate the efficacy of a dual-formulation strategy using the same drug. In addition, the Phase 3 clinical trials will hopefully demonstrate a similarly steep rate of weight loss, with better tolerability data in the oral VK2735 trial after dosing is adjusted.

Meanwhile, the bears focus on the fact that Viking is behind two much larger rivals in the race and still has to demonstrate better tolerability data for VK2735 oral in its Phase 3.

Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Eli Lilly. The Motley Fool recommends Novo Nordisk and Viking Therapeutics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The latest trading day saw Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) settling at $29.78, representing a +1.53% change from its previous close.

An analyst at the banking giant Truist Financial has an $83 price target on Viking Therapeutics (VKTX +3.10%), which is particularly notable given that Viking opened at $28.75 per share on June 8. If it reached that target from that June 8 opening price, that would be a gain of 188%.

The clinical-stage company lacks commercial products, but it has a promising weight-loss drug candidate, VK2735, in phase 3 trials. The rewards for getting the drug to market could be substantial, which the bold price target reflects. But so too are the risks for investors.

Image source: Getty Images.

The upside potential of Viking Therapeutics While there has been previous disappointment with trial results from Viking, the analyst from Truist views the company as a differentiated drugmaker in the space. Its injectable version in particular has been highlighted for its potential to provide both weight loss and favorable tolerability, which could help it stand out in a market that's growing but also increasingly crowded.

Researchers at Morgan Stanley project that the global market for drugs to treat obesity will grow from around $15 billion in sales in 2024 to $150 billion by 2035. Viking Therapeutics is gearing up to grab a slice of that potential cash pile, developing VK2735 in both oral and injectable forms. Currently, phase 3 for the injectable is in process, while the oral solution is expected to enter phase 3 in the third quarter of 2026, which is just around the corner.

The trials for both versions of VK2735 are evaluating its effectiveness as an obesity treatment. But getting it approved for one condition can be just the first step toward maximizing its sales potential, because weight loss drugs are being approved for uses beyond treating obesity. According to Motley Fool research on longevity investing:

GLP-1 drugs are expanding from weight loss into longevity territory. GLP-1s are a class of drugs that includes semaglutide, sold as Wegovy and Ozempic, and tirzepatide, sold as Zepbound and Mounjaro. Originally approved for diabetes and obesity, they have since received FDA [Food and Drug Administration] approval for cardiovascular risk reduction, obstructive sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, and oral obesity treatment.

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The upside is there, but so are plenty of risks The $83 price target from Truist makes Viking Therapeutics an enticing investment idea. But that upside also needs to be paired with the understanding that this stock carries significant risks. As a clinical-stage company, Viking is currently not generating any revenue.

If there are any issues in the trials for either version of VK2735, it will be a huge setback, removing the chance to get a revenue generator out the door. That's particularly important as losses mount. In 2024, Viking reported a net loss of $109 million, which climbed to $359 million in 2025. The company still has some runway, with $603 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments as of the end of March. That said, since it had $706 million at the end of 2025, it burned through $103 million in just three months.

There's a potential $150 billion market for Viking Therapeutics to capture, but investors will face significant volatility as they wait for it to receive approval to launch its first commercial product. The biggest risk is that such an approval may not arrive.

Experienced Biotech Leader with More than Two Decades of Experience Advancing Therapies from Discovery through Regulatory Approval SAN DIEGO, June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (Viking) (NASDAQ: VKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, today announced the appointment of Hubert C. Chen, M.D.