Company Overview - Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders [3] - The company has three compounds currently in clinical trials, including VK2735, VK2809, and VK0214 [3] Clinical Programs - VK2735 is a dual agonist of GLP-1 and GIP receptors, showing an encouraging safety profile and positive clinical benefits in Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials for metabolic disorders [3] - VK2809 is an orally available small molecule selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist, which achieved primary and secondary endpoints in a Phase 2b study for NASH and fibrosis, and demonstrated significant reductions in LDL-C and liver fat in a Phase 2a trial for NAFLD [3] - VK0214 is being developed for X-ALD, showing safety and significant reductions in VLCFAs in a Phase 1b trial [3] Upcoming Events - The company will release its financial results for Q4 and year-end 2024 on February 5, 2025, after market close [1] - A conference call to discuss these results will take place at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the same day [2]

Industry Overview - The obesity drug market is experiencing significant growth, driven by effective and safe drugs like Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, which have seen soaring demand [1][2] - The market is projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030, according to Morgan Stanley Research, indicating a robust future for obesity treatments [2] Company Analysis - Viking Therapeutics is emerging as a potential competitor in the obesity drug market, with promising data from its weight loss candidate VK2735, which showed a 14.7% reduction in mean body weight after 13 weeks in phase 2 trials [5][6] - Viking's market capitalization is under $4 billion, significantly smaller than Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, which have market values exceeding $300 billion and $600 billion, respectively [7] - Despite the challenges of competing with established pharmaceutical giants, Viking could find a niche in the market if clinical trials continue to yield positive results [8] Clinical Trial Insights - Viking is also developing an oral formulation of VK2735, which has shown an 8.2% weight loss after 28 days in earlier trials, indicating potential versatility in delivery methods [6] - The company's stock has historically reacted positively to strong clinical trial results, with a notable 121% surge following the announcement of VK2735's phase 2 results [10] Market Dynamics - The demand for weight loss drugs remains high, and the market is expected to accommodate multiple players, suggesting opportunities for growth beyond the current leaders [8] - Viking's path to commercialization for VK2735 is not immediate, but upcoming clinical trial data could significantly impact its stock price and investor interest [9]

The latest trading session saw Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) ending at $32.87, denoting a +0.67% adjustment from its last day's close. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.88%. At the same time, the Dow added 1.24%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.65%.The the stock of company has fallen by 22.85% in the past month, lagging the Medical sector's loss of 0.32% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.17%.Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Viking ...

13-Week Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Oral VK2735 Dosed Once Daily SAN DIEGO, Jan. 8, 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 initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of the oral tablet formulation of VK2735, the company's dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polyp ...

This is a high-risk, high-reward stock.In this video, I will cover the recent updates regarding Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 0.56%). Watch the short video to learn more, consider subscribing, and click the special offer link below.*Stock prices used were from the trading day of Jan. 3, 2025. The video was published on Jan. 4, 2025. ...

Market Dynamics - Viking Therapeutics' share price declined by 24% in December 2024 due to intensified competition in the pharmaceutical market [1] - Merck entered into a licensing deal with Hansoh Pharma for an investigational weight-loss drug HS-10535, posing a threat to Viking's VK2735 program [3] - The weight-loss drug market is highly lucrative with only two GLP-1 drugs approved in the US, indicating significant growth potential [6] Competitive Landscape - Merck secured exclusive global licensing rights to HS-10535, committing $112 million upfront and up to $1.9 billion in milestone payments and royalties [5] - Viking's VK2735, an oral obesity drug, is relatively advanced in development and has shown promising results in clinical trials [3][8] - VK2735 has a competitive advantage over injectable treatments like Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound [4] Development Progress - HS-10535 is still in development and its efficacy remains uncertain, while VK2735 is closer to commercialization [7][8] - Viking's VK2735 is positioned as a potential go-to treatment due to its oral administration format [8]

It's been an excellent year for Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 2.19%), a mid-cap biotech company. Thanks to impressive mid-stage clinical results, its stock skyrocketed in February. And although it's down from the all-time highs it hit earlier this year, it remains one of the better performers in the industry over the past 12 months.However, Viking's shares recently dropped massively -- by more than 10% -- in one day. And the stock is down 24% in the past month. What exactly caused this recent decline? Should in ...

Core Insights - Viking Therapeutics has $930.4 million in cash and equivalents, providing a buffer against current spending rates, while Merck's established revenue from commercialized medicines allows it to endure clinical setbacks longer if necessary [1] - Viking's VK2735 oral candidate may have a competitive edge in the market for about a year before facing Merck's product, with clinical data suggesting VK2735 could be more effective for weight loss compared to competitors from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk [2][4] - The market for anti-obesity drugs is still growing and not saturated, making competition less intimidating for Viking [2] Company Developments - Viking's VK2735 is being developed in both injectable and oral formats, with the injectable version advancing to phase 3 trials after successful phase 2 results, while the oral version is in planning for phase 2 [6][7] - Viking's stock fell 18% following Merck's announcement of a licensing deal for a competing weight-loss drug, HS-10535, which includes an upfront payment of $112 million and potential milestone payments of up to $1.9 billion [9][15] - Despite the stock drop, Viking is not in immediate trouble, as the market's reaction is based on assumptions about the outcomes of its upcoming clinical trials [14] Market Context - The anti-obesity drug market is becoming increasingly competitive, with Merck's entry posing a challenge to smaller companies like Viking that have yet to establish a self-sustaining revenue model [16] - If VK2735 is successful, it could generate over $1 billion in sales within its first year, significantly benefiting shareholders [13] - The competitive landscape suggests that while Viking faces a formidable opponent in Merck, it still has opportunities to succeed if it can capitalize on its clinical trial results [18]

News of a fresh licensing deal by a well-capitalized rival sent Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 1.83%) stock into something of a tailspin this week. According to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence, the biotech's share price fell by just over 10% over the period as a result.Merck makes a moveThat news hit the headlines on Wednesday, with global pharmaceutical company Merck announcing that it had entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing arrangement for a GLP-1 obesity drug currently in development ...

Company Overview - Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) shares fell 18% following Merck's announcement of entering the obesity market through a licensing deal with Hansoh Pharma for a weight-loss drug [1][5] - Merck secured exclusive rights to develop and market HS-10535, a preclinical oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist targeting metabolic disorders, including obesity, with an upfront payment of $112 million and potential milestone payments of up to $1.9 billion [2][6] Competitive Landscape - Merck's entry into the obesity space is perceived as a significant competitive threat to smaller biotech firms like Viking, which has been developing VK2735, a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist for obesity treatment [4][5] - The likelihood of Merck acquiring smaller companies like Viking has decreased, diminishing Viking's speculative value as a takeover target [6] Market Dynamics - The obesity market is projected to reach $100 billion in the United States by 2030, with major players like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk leading the market with their drugs Zepbound and Wegovy [12] - Other companies, including Amgen and Roche, are also making strides in the obesity drug development space, with Amgen reporting significant weight loss results from its GLP-1 therapy MariTide [13][14] Development Pipeline - VK2735 has shown promising results in clinical studies, with patients losing up to 8.2% of body weight after 28 days of treatment [9] - Viking plans to meet with the FDA before the end of 2024 to discuss late-stage study designs for VK2735 and intends to file an IND application for a new obesity drug candidate next year [10][11]