Core Insights - Viking Therapeutics reported positive results from multiple clinical trials, including VK2735 for obesity and VK2809 for NASH/MASH, indicating strong progress in its clinical pipeline [2][17][26] - The company holds a strong cash position of $930 million, providing financial resources to advance its clinical programs [2][24] Clinical Pipeline Updates - The End-of-Phase 2 meeting for subcutaneous VK2735 for obesity is scheduled for Q4 2024, with plans to advance into a Phase 3 program based on FDA feedback [6][3] - A Phase 2 study of oral VK2735 in obesity is expected to begin in Q4 2024, targeting patients who prefer oral medication over injections [7][8] - The Phase 2b VOYAGE study of VK2809 in NASH/MASH demonstrated significant reductions in liver fat and improvements in fibrosis, with results to be presented at The Liver Meeting 2024 [12][14][17] Financial Performance - For Q3 2024, research and development expenses increased to $22.8 million from $18.4 million in Q3 2023, primarily due to manufacturing and regulatory costs [22][23] - General and administrative expenses rose to $13.8 million in Q3 2024, compared to $8.9 million in the same period last year, driven by stock-based compensation and legal services [23] - The net loss for Q3 2024 was $24.9 million, or $0.22 per share, slightly higher than the net loss of $22.5 million, or $0.23 per share, in Q3 2023 [23][29] Upcoming Events - Viking will present results from the VENTURE Phase 2a study and the first-in-human study of oral VK2735 at ObesityWeek on November 3, 2024 [22] - The results from the VOYAGE trial will be featured in an oral late breaker presentation at The Liver Meeting on November 19, 2024 [22][17]

Core Viewpoint - Viking Therapeutics Inc. is poised to report its third-quarter earnings, with significant anticipation due to a year-to-date stock increase of nearly 240%, driven by interest in its weight-loss drug candidate VK2735 [1] Group 1: Product and Market Position - VK2735 mimics both GLP-1 and GIP hormones, aiming for superior weight loss compared to established drugs like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound, which focus solely on GLP-1 [2] - Viking's dual approach may allow it to capture a significant market share, contrasting with Pfizer's struggles, as its stock is down 3.16% year-to-date [2] - The availability of both injectable and oral formulations of VK2735 could enhance patient retention within the Viking ecosystem [2] Group 2: Earnings and Pipeline Expectations - The upcoming earnings report will focus on updates regarding Viking's pipeline, including VK2735, VK2809 for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and VK0214 for a rare neurodegenerative disease [3] - Investors are particularly interested in Viking's discussions with the FDA about advancing its obesity and NASH programs to late-stage development [3] - Promising results from a Phase 1b study for VK0214 have been reported, indicating it was well-tolerated and met its primary endpoint [3] Group 3: Stock Performance and Technical Indicators - Technical indicators show a mixed picture, with the 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages indicating a bullish trend, while the eight-day and 20-day SMAs suggest near-term selling pressure [4] - The stock is currently trading at $63.80, and investors are eager to see if the upcoming earnings will reflect the excitement or if the stock's momentum will decline [4]

Core Viewpoint - Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) is expected to report a loss of 24 cents per share for the third quarter, with no revenues anticipated due to the absence of marketed drugs in its portfolio [1][4]. Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 loss per share has increased from 99 cents to $1.00 over the past 60 days, while estimates for 2025 have narrowed from $1.48 to $1.46 [1]. - The earnings surprise history shows mixed performance, with VKTX beating estimates in two of the last four quarters, missing once, and meeting once, resulting in an average earnings surprise of 5.56% [3]. Pipeline Developments - The focus for the upcoming earnings report will be on updates regarding VKTX's pipeline, which includes three candidates: VK2735 for obesity, VK2809 for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and VK0214 for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) [5]. - VKTX reported positive results from a phase Ib study of VK0214, which was safe and well-tolerated, significantly reducing plasma levels of very long-chain fatty acids compared to placebo [5]. - Management is in discussions with the FDA to advance its obesity and NASH programs to late-stage development, with a meeting planned before the end of the year [6]. Clinical Study Results - VK2735 has shown significant weight reduction capabilities, achieving a mean weight reduction of 14.7% after 13 weeks in a phase II study, compared to 1.7% in the placebo group [7]. - VK2809's phase IIb study achieved secondary endpoints, with 40-50% of patients achieving NASH resolution compared to 20% in the placebo group [7]. Stock Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, VKTX's stock has surged 253.6%, outperforming the industry and the S&P 500, which saw a decline of 1.7% [9]. - The stock is trading at a price/book ratio of 7.92, significantly higher than the industry average of 3.97, indicating a premium valuation [9][10]. Investment Thesis - Despite the lack of a stable revenue stream, VKTX has shown immense shareholder value growth, with a nearly 1000% increase over the past five years [11]. - The competitive landscape in the obesity market is challenging, dominated by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, but the rising demand for obesity drugs presents opportunities for new entrants like VKTX [12]. - VKTX has a strong cash balance of approximately $942 million as of June 2024, supporting its pipeline development and growth potential [12].

Shares of Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) have risen 29% in the past three months, significantly outperforming the industry's 2.5% growth. The stock has outperformed the sector and the S&P 500 during the same period. VKTX's shares are also trading above the 50-day and 200-day moving averages. VKTX Stock Outperforms Industry, Sector & S&P 500 Zacks Investment Research Image Source: This uptick in stock price was triggered by positive updates from Viking's pipeline programs. Last week, VKTX reported positive resul ...

Viking recently announced the results of an early-stage clinical trial for VK0214. Shares of pharmaceutical upstart Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 0.72%) have been soaring this year thanks to high hopes for VK2735, its promising GLP-1 weight loss treatment. Although the company doesn't have an approved product yet and isn't generating consistent revenue, the excitement around GLP-1 has been sufficient to send the stock's valuation north of $7 billion. Viking, however, is involved in more than just GLP-1 developm ...

Conference Call Scheduled for Wednesday, October 23 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time SAN DIEGO, Oct. 16, 2024 /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 the company will release financial results for the third quarter 2024 after the market close on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. The company will host a conference call to discuss financial resul ...

Investors often turn to recommendations made by Wall Street analysts before making a Buy, Sell, or Hold decision about a stock. While media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm employed (or sellside) analysts often affect a stock's price, do they really matter? Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage. Viking Therapeutics curr ...

We could be witnessing the birth of a major player in the biotech industry. Five years ago, Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 5.43%) was an unknown, clinical-stage biotech. It hardly stood out in a sea of small drugmakers, and most of those never end up producing the kinds of results or performances investors want to see. However, a lot has changed since: Viking still has no products on the market, but its leading candidates have made exciting clinical progress. That's why its shares soared this year. There is stil ...

Group 1: Market Overview - The biotech sector, particularly in obesity treatments, is identified as one of today's hottest markets, with significant revenue potential and high demand [4][5]. - The obesity drug market is projected to grow rapidly, with Goldman Sachs Research estimating it could increase more than 16-fold to reach $100 billion by the end of the decade [8]. Group 2: Company Profile - Viking Therapeutics - Viking Therapeutics is developing dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity, with an injectable candidate in phase 2 showing up to a 15% reduction in body weight over 13 weeks, and a pill format entering phase 2 after positive phase 1 results [5][6][10]. - The company has a strong cash position of over $900 million, allowing it to fund the advancement of its programs [10]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Demand for weight loss drugs from major players like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk has exceeded supply, indicating a market opportunity for additional competitors [7]. - Viking Therapeutics is positioned to potentially be an acquisition target due to its late-stage development of its injectable candidate, which could attract larger pharmaceutical companies [9]. Group 4: Investment Potential - Viking shares are highly reactive to pipeline news, with a notable 120% increase following positive results from its injectable candidate, although the stock has since settled around $60, presenting a buying opportunity [11]. - Continued progress in Viking's weight loss portfolio could lead to significant long-term gains for investors [12].

Company Performance - Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) closed at $62.45, reflecting a -0.3% change from the previous day, underperforming the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.21% [1] - Over the past month, shares of Viking Therapeutics have appreciated by 2.98%, outperforming the Medical sector's loss of 3.28% but lagging behind the S&P 500's gain of 5.94% [1] Earnings Forecast - Viking Therapeutics is projected to report earnings of -$0.24 per share, indicating a year-over-year decline of 4.35% [2] Analyst Estimates - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Viking Therapeutics should be monitored, as positive revisions indicate analysts' confidence in the company's performance and profit potential [3] - The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has decreased by 0.99% over the last 30 days, and Viking Therapeutics currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [5] Industry Context - The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, which includes Viking Therapeutics, ranks in the top 34% of all industries according to the Zacks Industry Rank, indicating a strong position within the sector [6]