Core Viewpoint - Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) is expected to report a loss of 70 cents per share for Q3 2025, with no revenues anticipated due to the absence of marketed drugs in its portfolio [2][5]. Financial Performance - The company's earnings have consistently missed estimates, with a negative average surprise of 15.65% over the past four quarters, including a 31.82% miss in the last reported quarter [3][4]. - Loss estimates for 2025 have increased from $2.39 to $2.45 per share in the last 60 days, indicating ongoing operational challenges [2][5]. Pipeline Updates - The upcoming investor call is expected to focus on updates regarding three key candidates: VK2735 for obesity, VK2809 for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and VK0214 for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) [7]. - VKTX has initiated a late-stage program for VK2735, which includes two phase III studies (VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2) targeting different obesity patient groups [8]. - Investors are looking for updates on the oral version of VK2735, which showed mixed results in a mid-stage study, particularly concerning patient dropout rates due to adverse effects [9]. Competitive Landscape - VKTX is facing intense competition in the obesity treatment market from established players like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, which are advancing their own oral treatments [18][19]. - The company is exploring partnership opportunities to support the clinical development of its NASH and X-ALD programs due to limited resources [19]. Stock Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, VKTX's stock has declined nearly 14%, underperforming both the industry and the broader market [12]. - The stock is trading at a premium valuation, with a price/book ratio of 4.91 compared to the industry average of 3.41, indicating a higher valuation relative to its peers [15]. Financial Position - VKTX maintains a strong financial position with $808 million in cash and no outstanding debt, providing sufficient liquidity for ongoing operations and research and development [17].

Industry Overview - The weight loss drug market is currently valued at approximately $28 billion and is projected to grow to $95 billion by 2030 according to Goldman Sachs Research [1] - Weight loss drugs are significantly boosting revenues for market leaders like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk [1] Eli Lilly - Eli Lilly has commercialized tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes and weight loss under the names Mounjaro and Zepbound, respectively, with both products generating blockbuster revenue [3] - Demand for these drugs has been so high that they were on the FDA's drug shortage list for much of the previous year [3] - Lilly has improved supply through investments in manufacturing and by offering Zepbound in single-dose vials, which are easier and cheaper to produce [4] - In the most recent quarter, Lilly's revenue increased by 38% to over $15 billion, with weight loss drugs accounting for more than half of this revenue [5] - Lilly is preparing to submit orforglipron, its oral obesity candidate, for regulatory review worldwide this year [5] Viking Therapeutics - Viking Therapeutics is developing a drug similar to Lilly's, targeting the same hormonal pathways to regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite [7] - The company is currently testing VK2735 in injectable form in a phase 3 trial and in pill form in a phase 2 trial, with positive results reported so far [8] - Investors are attracted to Viking for its weight loss portfolio and the potential for a takeover or partnership, as many companies in the pharma and biotech sectors are interested in entering the weight loss market [9] - Viking is positioned to offer significant growth potential as it approaches the market with its candidates [10] Wall Street Insights - Wall Street's average price forecast for Eli Lilly is $891, indicating a potential 10% increase from the current price, while Viking's forecast is over $92, suggesting a 179% gain [11] - Both companies have more buy recommendations than sell recommendations from analysts [11] - While Viking shows higher growth potential, cautious investors may prefer Lilly due to its established market presence and product offerings [12]

Accessibility StatementSkip Navigation The company will host a conference call to discuss financial results and general corporate updates beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. To participate on the conference call, please dial (844) 850-0543 from the U.S. or (412) 317-5199 from outside the U.S. In addition, following the completion of the call, a telephone replay will be accessible until October 29, 2025, by dialing (877) 344-7529 from the U.S. or (412) 317-0088 from outside th ...

In the latest close session, Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) was down 2.54% at $33.05. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.16%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.44%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw a decrease of 0.76%. The company's stock has climbed by 40.79% in the past month, exceeding the Medical sector's gain of 1.54% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.14%.Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Viking Therapeutics, Inc. in its upcoming release. The ...

Core Insights - Viking Therapeutics has made significant progress with its investigational weight loss drug, which is part of a market projected to reach $100 billion by the end of the decade [1] - The company's stock experienced a surge of over 100% following positive clinical trial results, but has since declined by 44% over the past year [2][3] - Viking is developing VK2735, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, with promising results in both injectable and oral forms [7][8] Company Developments - Viking's weight loss program includes an injectable version of VK2735 currently in phase 3 trials and an oral version in phase 2 trials [7] - In the phase 2 study, participants using the injectable form achieved an average weight loss of 14.7% after 13 weeks, while the oral version showed an average weight loss of 12.2% [8] Industry Context - The current market leaders in weight loss treatments are Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, whose GLP-1 drugs have transitioned from diabetes treatment to effective weight management solutions [6] - Viking's candidates are positioned to compete in a lucrative market, potentially challenging existing leaders or attracting acquisition interest from larger companies [2][3]

Core Insights - The healthcare sector is currently undervalued compared to AI stocks, presenting investment opportunities in innovative healthcare companies [1][2] Group 1: Commercial Momentum - Crispr Therapeutics and Vertex Pharmaceuticals have developed Casgevy, the first gene-editing treatment approved for sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, with Vertex reporting $30 million in sales for Casgevy in Q2 2025, indicating market traction [3] - By mid-2025, 75 hospitals and clinics were authorized to administer Casgevy, with around 115 patients beginning treatment, suggesting potential growth in patient numbers and sales through 2025 and 2026 [4] - Crispr is also advancing other treatments like CTX112, a cell-based therapy for cancer and immune diseases, with potential positive data expected in late 2025 [5] Group 2: Late-Stage Catalysts - Intellia Therapeutics is progressing two CRISPR gene-editing programs, with a Phase 3 study for hereditary angioedema nearing completion and topline results expected in the first half of 2026 [6] - The company is also conducting a pivotal trial for ATTR amyloidosis, with earlier tests showing a 91% reduction in TTR protein levels in many patients [7] - Success in these programs could position Intellia as a leader in single-dose, in vivo CRISPR therapy, potentially reshaping market valuations for gene-editing companies [8] Group 3: Platform Plays with Pharma Validation - Recursion Pharmaceuticals operates an AI-driven drug discovery platform, generating $19.2 million in revenue primarily from collaborations with major pharmaceutical companies [9] - Upcoming clinical trial updates in 2025 could enhance market perception of its AI-discovered drugs, unlocking significant upside for the stock [10] Group 4: Obesity Treatment Development - Viking Therapeutics is advancing VK2735, a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist for obesity, showing up to 14.7% average weight loss in mid-stage studies and currently undergoing large late-stage trials [11] - Despite a decline in stock value due to gastrointestinal side effects from an oral formulation, a slower titration schedule may improve tolerability, keeping both injectable and oral versions central to Viking's strategy in a market projected to exceed $100 billion in annual sales [12]

Group 1 - Viking Therapeutics' shares increased by over 16% following Novo Nordisk's $5.2 billion acquisition of Akero Therapeutics and Pfizer's $7.3 billion acquisition of Metsera, indicating a rising trend in mergers and acquisitions within the biopharmaceutical industry [1][2] - The recent acquisitions are linked to the weight loss market, with Novo Nordisk being a significant player and Metsera's obesity drug candidates enhancing Pfizer's pipeline [2] - Viking Therapeutics is developing an obesity drug, VK2735, which is currently in a phase 3 trial for its subcutaneous form and has recently completed a phase 2 trial for its oral form, despite facing safety and tolerability issues [3][4] Group 2 - The current deal flow in the industry suggests that larger pharmaceutical companies may be interested in partnering with or acquiring Viking Therapeutics to advance the development of VK2735 through phase 3 trials [4][6] - The competitive landscape in the weight loss market is intensifying as big pharma companies seek to strengthen their positions, potentially increasing the attractiveness of Viking Therapeutics' drug candidate [6]

Group 1 - The overall market is considered to be in extremely overbought territory, yet market indexes are trading at or near all-time highs, showing resilience despite a government shutdown and a faltering jobs market [2][3] Group 2 - The Biotech Forum offers a model portfolio featuring 12-20 high upside biotech stocks, along with live chat for trade discussions and weekly research updates [3]

Core Insights - Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX) is recognized as a high-potential biotech stock, with analysts maintaining a bullish outlook and setting price targets of $102 and $125 [1][3] - The company's strong market position is attributed to its competitive efficacy and safety data from its oral and subcutaneous GLP-1 programs, which are seen as significant strengths [2] Analyst Ratings - H.C. Wainwright analyst Joseph Pantginis reiterated a Buy rating for VKTX on September 22, with a price target of $102 [1] - BTIG analyst Justin Zelin also maintained a Buy rating, setting a higher price target of $125, emphasizing the company's solid position in the metabolic disease and obesity market [3] Company Overview - Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage company focused on developing therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders [3]

Core Viewpoint - Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VKTX) is positioned as a leading player in the GLP-1 weight-loss drug market, presenting a relatively de-risked investment opportunity [1]. Company Analysis - The company focuses on identifying reasonably priced firms with steady long-term growth prospects and small- to mid-cap companies that have the potential for exponential growth [1]. - Viking Therapeutics is involved in the development of innovative therapies, particularly in the weight-loss sector, which is gaining significant attention in the pharmaceutical industry [1]. Investment Perspective - The analysis emphasizes the importance of fundamental analysis of businesses, financials, and valuations to uncover potential investment opportunities [1]. - The author believes that educated individuals can outperform the market by understanding basic accounting and financial principles, which may apply to investors considering Viking Therapeutics [1].