Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX ) is down nearly 50% since it reported phase 1 data from a trial of oral VK2735 in obese/overweight patients in April 2024. I rated VKTX a buy at that time , as I believedScientist and trader of biotech stock. Focus on trading around events such as trial results and NDA/BLA approvals. Also covering companies in industries regulated by the FDA. Articles present my opinion on stocks, but don't constitute investment advice.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or si ...

Shares of Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) rose nearly 8% on Friday after several third-party reports suggested that it was being eyed for a potential takeover by pharma giant Pfizer (PFE) . These reports even suggest that PFE has appointed Morgan Stanley as its advisor on the transaction.Viking is one of the few biotech stocks that has shown immense potential in the obesity space. It is developing VK2735, an investigational novel dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, in different clinical studies as oral and subc ...

Few big pharma stocks have been bigger winners over the last three years than Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Lilly now ranks as the largest drugmaker in the world, with a market cap of $844 billion, after its shares skyrocketed more than 270%. Novo Nordisk stock is up around 75% despite a pullback in recent months.There's no secret to their success: Both companies have blockbuster weight-loss drugs. But the obesity market could soon have a new contender. Wall Street thinks this weight-loss drug stock could mor ...

Group 1: Hims & Hers Health Inc (HIMS) - HIMS shares increased by 17.5%, trading at $54.50, with a record peak of $56.71, marking a 438.7% year-over-year gain [2] - The company aired an advertisement during the Super Bowl and is preparing to release its fourth-quarter results on February 24 [2] - Historically, HIMS has experienced negative post-earnings reactions, with five out of the last eight sessions closing lower the day after earnings [2] Group 2: Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) - NVO shares decreased by 3.1%, trading at $79.29, and have dropped 42.3% over the past nine months [3] - The company is nearing its 52-week low of $78.17, with five consecutive daily losses [3] - NVO has faced resistance at the $90 level since late December [3] Group 3: Viking Therapeutics Inc (VKTX) - VKTX shares fell by 2.1%, trading at $28.70, and are on track for their fifth loss in the last six sessions [4] - The stock recently hit its lowest level in 12 months, despite receiving an "outperform" rating from Scotiabank with a price target of $102 [4] - VKTX has a 58.3% deficit over the past nine months and has declined by 28.5% this year [4]

Nearly a year ago, Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 3.50%) shares exploded higher after the clinical-stage drugmaker announced successful results from a clinical trial with an experimental weight loss drug.Viking Therapeutics' weight management candidate could produce blockbuster sales down the road, but this isn't enough to hold the attention of a stock market obsessed with artificial intelligence (AI). When the market closed on Feb. 5, shares of Viking Therapeutics were down about 65% from the peak they reached ...

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) reported a fourth-quarter 2024 loss per share of 32 cents, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 27 cents. The company had incurred a loss of 25 cents per share in the year-ago quarter.See the Zacks Earnings Calendar to stay ahead of market-making news.Currently, Viking Therapeutics does not have any approved products in its portfolio. Hence, it is yet to generate revenues.More on VKTX’s Q4 EarningsResearch and development expenses surged 51% year over year to $31 m ...

The excitement surrounding Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 3.49%) stock has been dying down significantly lately. In six months, the stock has lost more than 40% of its value. Many investors may have been hoping that another, larger healthcare company would acquire it for its promising GLP-1 treatment, VK2735 -- but that doesn't appear to be happening.And with a growing number of companies in the GLP-1 space, investors may be losing interest in the stock. Could Viking's rapidly declining valuation be a sign that ...

Company Overview - Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is hosting its Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results Conference Call on February 5, 2025 [2] - Key participants include CEO Brian Lian and CFO Greg Zante, along with Investor Relations Manager Stephanie Diaz [3] Financial Results - The conference call will discuss Viking's financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2024 [2] - A question-and-answer session will follow the management's prepared remarks [2] Forward-Looking Statements - The company will include forward-looking statements regarding its development activities, timelines, and milestones, which are subject to risks and uncertainties [4] - These statements are made under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 [4]

Financial Performance - For the three months ended December 31, 2024, Viking reported a net loss of $35.4 million, or $0.32 per share, compared to a net loss of $24.6 million, or $0.25 per share, in the same period in 2023[25]. - For the year ended December 31, 2024, Viking reported a net loss of $110.0 million, or $1.01 per share, compared to a net loss of $85.9 million, or $0.91 per share, in 2023[28]. - Viking's total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $150.9 million, compared to $100.8 million in 2023, reflecting a 49.7% increase[36]. - General and administrative expenses rose to $15.3 million in Q4 2024 from $8.8 million in Q4 2023, driven by legal, patent services, and professional fees[24]. - General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $49.3 million, up 33% from $37.0 million in 2023[27]. - Research and development expenses increased to $31.0 million in Q4 2024 from $20.5 million in Q4 2023, primarily due to manufacturing and personnel costs[23]. - For the year ended December 31, 2024, research and development expenses were $101.6 million, an increase of 59% from $63.8 million in 2023[26]. - As of December 31, 2024, Viking held cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $903 million, significantly up from $362 million as of December 31, 2023[29]. - The company's total assets as of December 31, 2024, were $908.3 million, compared to $368.5 million as of December 31, 2023[38]. Clinical Development - The Phase 2 VENTURE study of VK2735 for obesity achieved statistically significant mean body weight reductions of up to 14.7% from baseline and 13.1% relative to placebo[6]. - The company plans to initiate Phase 3 studies for VK2735 in obesity in Q2 2025[5]. - In the Phase 2b VOYAGE trial, VK2809 demonstrated a median relative reduction in liver fat content ranging from 38% to 55% after 12 weeks[13]. - VK2809-treated patients showed MASH resolution rates of 63% to 75% compared to 29% for placebo[14]. - The Phase 1b study of VK0214 in X-ALD resulted in a 38% reduction in plasma levels of a key biomarker relative to placebo[20]. - Viking is developing VK2735, a dual agonist for metabolic disorders, which has shown positive signs of clinical benefit in Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials[31]. - VK2809, a small molecule for lipid and metabolic disorders, achieved both primary and secondary endpoints in a Phase 2b study for NASH and fibrosis[32]. - The company is also developing VK0214 for the treatment of X-ALD, which demonstrated significant reductions in plasma levels of VLCFAs in a Phase 1b trial[32]. - Viking plans to file an IND application for its dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist program later this year[22]. - The company expects to report data from the VENTURE-Oral Dosing trial in 2H25, evaluating VK2735 as an oral tablet[12].

Core Insights - Viking Therapeutics reported strong progress in its clinical pipeline, achieving positive data from multiple trials, including VK2735 for obesity and VK2809 for metabolic disorders [2][3][30] - The company ended 2024 with a robust cash position of $903 million, enabling it to pursue significant clinical goals [2][28] Clinical Pipeline Highlights - Viking's Phase 2 VENTURE study of VK2735 demonstrated statistically significant weight loss, with reductions up to 14.7% from baseline and 13.1% relative to placebo after 13 weeks [3][4] - The company plans to initiate Phase 3 studies for VK2735 in obesity in the second quarter of 2025 [5][6] - VK2809 completed its Phase 2b VOYAGE study, showing significant reductions in liver fat content and improvements in MASH resolution and fibrosis [11][13][16] Financial Performance - Research and development expenses for Q4 2024 were $31.0 million, up from $20.5 million in Q4 2023, primarily due to increased manufacturing and personnel costs [22] - General and administrative expenses rose to $15.3 million in Q4 2024 from $8.8 million in Q4 2023, driven by legal and professional fees [23] - The net loss for Q4 2024 was $35.4 million, or $0.32 per share, compared to a net loss of $24.6 million, or $0.25 per share, in Q4 2023 [24] Balance Sheet Overview - As of December 31, 2024, Viking held cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaling $903 million, a significant increase from $362 million at the end of 2023 [28] - The total liabilities were $28.0 million, with stockholders' equity amounting to $880.3 million [34]