Core Insights - Pfizer Inc. has announced the discontinuation of danuglipron, an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for chronic weight management, due to a potential drug-induced liver injury in a participant [1][6] - Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk continue to lead the market in injectable weight loss drugs, while Pfizer is lagging behind in developing alternatives [2] - Eli Lilly is set to launch orforglipron, potentially the first small-molecule weight-loss pill, in 2026, giving it a two-year lead over competitors [3] Company Developments - Viking Therapeutics has completed subject enrollment for its Phase 2 clinical trial of VK2735, a dual agonist of GLP-1 and GIP receptors, with data expected in the second half of 2025 [3][4] - Structure Therapeutics has reported a 6.2% placebo-adjusted mean weight decrease in its Phase 2a study of GSBR-1290 for obesity [5] - Roche Holdings has shown a -6.1% placebo-adjusted mean weight loss in participants with obesity in its Phase 1 trial for CT-996, indicating competitive efficacy [6] Market Performance - Stocks of Eli Lilly (up 1.14% to $739.26), Novo Nordisk (up 1.68% to $65.82), Altimmune (up 3.40% to $4.56), Viking Therapeutics (up 13.5% to $25.21), and Structure Therapeutics (up 8.36% to $17.23) have all seen positive trading on Monday [7]

Viking Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:VKTX) stock is up 10.1% to trade at $24.42 today, and traded as high as $27.09 earlier in the session. The drugmaker is on the move after Pfizer (PFE) halted the development of its weight-loss pill. Viking has two weight-loss drug candidates that have shown promising results in Phase 1 and 2 trials late last year. Sector peers Eli Lilly (LLY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) -- two heavy hitters in the weight-loss treatment department -- are also higher today.VKTX is still down 39.3% i ...

Core Viewpoint - Viking Therapeutics has significant growth potential, but its stock has experienced volatility, losing over 40% of its value in 2023 after a 116% increase in 2022 [1][2]. Company Overview - Viking Therapeutics currently has a market capitalization of approximately $2.5 billion [2]. - The company is developing two promising drug candidates: VK2735, which has shown the ability to help patients lose around 15% of their body weight in a phase 2 trial, and VK2809, which has reduced liver fat by an average of 37% to 55% in a phase 2 trial for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [2][3]. Market Potential - Both VK2735 and VK2809 have the potential to generate billions in revenue if they become blockbusters [4]. - The GLP-1 drug market is projected to be worth over $100 billion, with significant competition from major pharmaceutical companies [7]. Future Outlook - If VK2735 and VK2809 receive approval, Viking's valuation could potentially double or triple, but the company needs a more diversified drug portfolio to maximize its value [6][10]. - The timeline for revenue generation from these products could take multiple years, and the company incurred a net loss of $110 million in 2024, indicating ongoing financial challenges [9][10]. Investment Considerations - Despite the risks and uncertainties, Viking's current reduced valuation presents a potential investment opportunity due to its promising drug candidates [11]. - The company is viewed as an exciting stock to monitor, with the potential for significant long-term growth, although it may not be suitable for all investors [12].

Core Insights - Viking Therapeutics is positioned in the rapidly growing weight loss drug market, which is projected to exceed $100 billion by the end of the decade according to Morgan Stanley analysts [1] - The company is currently conducting clinical trials for its VK2735 drug, which has shown promising results [1][3] - Despite a significant stock surge of 121% following positive trial results last year, Viking's stock has declined approximately 40% this year [2] Company Developments - Viking has completed enrollment for a phase 2 trial of its VK2735 oral candidate, with results expected in the second half of this year [3] - The VK2735 injectable formulation has met primary and secondary endpoints in trials, showing a mean body weight reduction of up to 14.7% after 13 weeks [7] - The oral version of VK2735 demonstrated weight loss of up to 8.2% in just 28 days during phase 1 trials [7] Industry Context - The weight loss drug market is currently dominated by GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic and Wegovy from Novo Nordisk, and Mounjaro and Zepbound from Eli Lilly [4][5] - High demand for these drugs has led to them being on the FDA's shortage list, which has only recently changed due to increased manufacturing capacity [5] - There is potential for Viking to carve out a market share in this competitive landscape, especially given the high demand for weight loss solutions [8] Financial Position - Viking Therapeutics has over $900 million in cash, which supports the development of its weight loss program [9] - There is speculation that Viking could attract takeover offers from larger pharmaceutical companies interested in its weight loss portfolio [9]

Company Performance - Viking Therapeutics, Inc. closed at $23.91, reflecting a -0.99% change from the previous session, underperforming the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.38% [1] - The company's shares have decreased by 6.03% over the past month, compared to the Medical sector's loss of 3.56% and the S&P 500's loss of 5.59% [1] Earnings Forecast - The upcoming earnings disclosure is anticipated to show an EPS of -$0.34, indicating a 30.77% decline from the same quarter last year [2] Analyst Estimates - Recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Viking Therapeutics are crucial as they reflect changing business trends, with positive revisions indicating analyst optimism about the company's profitability [3] - The Zacks Rank system, which incorporates these estimate changes, suggests that estimate revisions correlate with near-term share price momentum [4] Zacks Rank - Viking Therapeutics currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), with no changes in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate over the past month [5] - The Zacks Rank system has shown that 1 ranked stocks have yielded an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [5] Industry Overview - The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, which includes Viking Therapeutics, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 66, placing it in the top 27% of over 250 industries [6] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [6]

Core Insights - The pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors are characterized by significant volatility, with companies often facing long periods of unprofitability before achieving success, particularly when new products or clinical trial results emerge [1][2] - Tracking firms that attract investor interest can be beneficial, but caution is advised to avoid entering positions too late [2] Company Summaries Viking Therapeutics Inc. (VKTX) - Viking Therapeutics is gaining attention due to its potential contribution to the GLP-1 weight loss market, with its drug VK2735 completing enrollment for a Phase 2 clinical trial [4][5] - The stock forecast for Viking indicates a potential upside of 271.08%, with a 12-month price target of $95.18, compared to the current price of $25.65 [4] - Initial studies suggest VK2735 may facilitate faster weight loss than existing GLP-1 agonists, and it is being developed in both injectable and oral forms [5] - Despite the promising outlook, shares have declined over 67% in the year leading to March 27, 2025, due to investor impatience regarding the Phase 3 trial [6] Absci Corp. (ABSI) - Absci utilizes AI technology in drug development, with a 12-month stock price forecast indicating a potential upside of 181.48%, targeting $7.60 from a current price of $2.70 [8] - The company has reported significant successes in its drug pipeline, but also rising expenses, with R&D costs increasing by approximately 50% year-over-year, leading to net losses widening to $29 million [9][10] - Cash reserves have decreased to $112.4 million, necessitating careful management as the company seeks to build revenue-generating capacity [10] Elevance Health Inc. (ELV) - Elevance Health is positioned as a defensive play in healthcare, with a 12-month stock price forecast suggesting a 20.37% upside, targeting $519.81 from a current price of $431.84 [11] - The company boasts attractive valuation metrics, including a price-to-sales ratio of 0.55 and a low forward price-to-earnings ratio of 12.7, which may enhance efficiency and margins through AI integration [12] - Despite regulatory uncertainties in the health benefits industry, Elevance's strong market position is expected to provide resilience, with a consensus buy rating from 14 out of 16 analysts [12]

Company Highlights - Viking Therapeutics has completed enrollment for the phase II VENTURE-Oral Dosing study of its obesity drug VK2735, with data expected in the second half of 2025 [1] - Approximately 280 adults with obesity or overweight conditions and at least one weight-related co-morbidity have been enrolled, randomized into six dosing arms or placebo [2] - The study's primary endpoint is the percent change in body weight from baseline after 13 weeks of treatment [2] - The rapid enrollment indicates strong demand and interest in VK2735, aligning with the market expansion for weight loss drugs [3] - Early-stage study data showed that patients receiving VK2735 lost up to 8.2% of body weight after 28 days, compared to 1.4% in the placebo group [4] - Viking plans to initiate a late-stage study on the subcutaneous version of VK2735 in the first half of this year [5] - Year-to-date, Viking's stock has decreased by 36%, contrasting with the industry's 1% growth [6] Industry Insights - The obesity market is projected to reach $100 billion in the United States by 2030, driven by the success of drugs from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk [8] - Companies like Roche, Amgen, AbbVie, and Merck are actively developing obesity drugs, indicating a competitive landscape [9] - Roche's acquisition of Carmot Therapeutics for $2.7 billion has expanded its portfolio in the obesity market, including several new candidates [10] - Amgen's MariTide therapy showed approximately 20% average weight loss over 52 weeks in a phase II study, with plans for a broad phase III program [12] - Recent entrants like Merck and AbbVie have also made moves into the obesity space through licensing agreements for experimental drugs [13]

13-Week Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Oral VK2735 Dosed Once Daily Results Expected in 2H25 SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2025 /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 completion of subject enrollment in its Phase 2 clinical trial of the oral tablet formulation of VK2735, the company's dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 ...

The most recent trading session ended with Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) standing at $29.28, reflecting a +1.14% shift from the previouse trading day's closing. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily gain of 1.77%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 1.42%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 2.28%.The the stock of company has fallen by 15.03% in the past month, lagging the Medical sector's loss of 1.17% and the S&P 500's loss of 5.73%.Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a ...

Industry Overview - The global anti-obesity drug market is projected to generate $12.8 billion in sales this year, with expectations to grow to $104.9 billion by 2035 [1] - Demand for effective weight management drugs is significant, indicating a robust market potential [1] Company Analysis: Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly - Novo Nordisk currently markets the top-selling GLP-1 drug but is losing market share to Eli Lilly's tirzepatide, marketed as Zepbound [2] - Eli Lilly's Zepbound is experiencing soaring sales, while Viking Therapeutics is developing a potential competitor, VK2735, which may outperform Zepbound based on early clinical trial data [3][4] Viking Therapeutics - Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 showed a 13.1% average weight loss in a phase 2 trial after 13 weeks, suggesting potential for better performance compared to Zepbound's 17.8% reduction after 72 weeks [5][6] - Despite positive phase 2 results, Viking Therapeutics has not yet initiated a phase 3 trial for VK2735, leading to a 70% drop in its stock price from last year's peak [8] - The company also reported successful phase 2 results for VK2809, but has not started the necessary phase 3 trial [9] Eli Lilly's Growth - Eli Lilly's fourth-quarter revenue, including sales from both tirzepatide brands, increased by 45% year over year to $13.5 billion, with significant growth in other drug categories as well [10][11] - The company expects total sales to grow by 32% in 2025, supported by multiple recently launched therapies [12] - Eli Lilly's retatrutide, an experimental triple hormone receptor agonist, demonstrated a weight reduction of up to 24.2% after 48 weeks, with ongoing phase 3 trials expected to yield results by the end of 2025 [13] Investment Outlook - Viking Therapeutics is considered a high-risk investment due to delays in advancing its pipeline, making it less attractive for investors [14] - Eli Lilly, despite a high valuation, is positioned for faster growth and is likely to provide positive long-term returns, making it a more favorable investment option [15]