Here's Why Viking Therapeutics Stock Recovered and Can Soar 2026

Company Overview - Shares in Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) rose by 16.5% in February, contributing to a recovery in 2026, with the stock currently down by a low single-digit percentage this year [1] - The increase followed the company's fourth-quarter earnings release and corporate update [1] Pipeline Developments - The primary focus for Viking Therapeutics is its VK2735 development program, a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist aimed at treating obesity and diabetes, currently in trials for both subcutaneous and oral forms [2] - The oral formulation of VK2735 has generated significant excitement due to its advantages, such as avoiding injections and ease of storage [5] Clinical Trial Insights - The Phase 2 VENTURE trial for oral VK2735 showed a mean weight loss of up to 12.2% after 13 weeks, but faced criticism due to a 20% discontinuation rate from adverse events [5] - Adverse events primarily included gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, raising concerns about the safety and tolerability of the oral formulation [5] - The placebo group had a 13% discontinuation rate due to adverse events, indicating challenging characteristics within the overall cohort [6] Future Studies - The company has initiated a maintenance and transition study where participants will start with subcutaneous VK2735 and then transition to a maintenance dosage in either subcutaneous or oral form [7] - This study is fully enrolled, with results expected to be announced in the third quarter of 2026 [7]