Group 1: Viking Therapeutics - Viking Therapeutics is a mid-cap biotech focused on the weight management market, with positive phase 2 results for its leading candidate VK2735 and plans to move to phase 3 studies soon [2] - The potential for Viking is significant, as its candidate may not need to achieve the same sales as current leaders like Wegovy and Zepbound to be considered a success [3] - Viking is also developing additional candidates, including VK2809 for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and another weight loss candidate in preclinical studies, indicating a diversified pipeline [4] - The company is considered risky due to the lack of approved products, but its innovative approach could lead to substantial long-term gains if mid-stage programs succeed, with shares priced around 25[5]Group2:Exelixis−Exelixisisasuccessfulcancer−focusedbiotech,recentlyannouncingalabelexpansionforitsbest−sellingproductCabometyxintreatingadvancedneuroendocrinetumors[6]−Cabometyxhasbeenasignificantgrowthdriver,withExelixisreportinga18.52.2 billion and a 22% growth in adjusted net earnings per share to 2[7]−ThecompanyresolvedalegalbattleregardingapotentialCabometyxgeneric,ensuringnocompetitionfromMSNLaboratoriesuntil2030,allowingcontinuedrevenuegrowthfromnewindications[8]−Exelixisisdevelopingnewmedicines,includingzanzalintinibforadvancedcolorectalcancer,whichisinphase3studies,addressingahighunmetneedintheoncologymarket[10]−TheongoingperformanceofCabometyxandExelixis′robustpipelinesuggestastronglong−terminvestmentopportunity,withsharestradingjustunder37 [11]
Exelixis(EXEL) The Motley Fool·2025-04-03 10:15