Viking Therapeutics(VKTX) Benzinga·2025-04-14 14:49Core Insights - Pfizer Inc. has announced the discontinuation of danuglipron, an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for chronic weight management, due to a potential drug-induced liver injury in a participant [1][6] - Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk continue to lead the market in injectable weight loss drugs, while Pfizer is lagging behind in developing alternatives [2] - Eli Lilly is set to launch orforglipron, potentially the first small-molecule weight-loss pill, in 2026, giving it a two-year lead over competitors [3] Company Developments - Viking Therapeutics has completed subject enrollment for its Phase 2 clinical trial of VK2735, a dual agonist of GLP-1 and GIP receptors, with data expected in the second half of 2025 [3][4] - Structure Therapeutics has reported a 6.2% placebo-adjusted mean weight decrease in its Phase 2a study of GSBR-1290 for obesity [5] - Roche Holdings has shown a -6.1% placebo-adjusted mean weight loss in participants with obesity in its Phase 1 trial for CT-996, indicating competitive efficacy [6] Market Performance - Stocks of Eli Lilly (up 1.14% to 65.82), Altimmune (up 3.40% to 25.21), and Structure Therapeutics (up 8.36% to $17.23) have all seen positive trading on Monday [7]