Positive drug trial results are boosting pharmaceutical stocks today, with Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:CRBP) and Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE:LLY) drawing investor attention after encouraging developments for their latest obesity drugs.Corbus noted its Phase 1a study for its oral CRB-913 medication, which targets different pathways than GLP-1 drugs, showed a favorable safety profile and emerging weight loss evidence. The small-cap stock was last seen up 2% to trade at $10.46, bouncing off $10 afte ...

Core Insights - Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) shares have increased by 34% over the past three months, driven by positive investor sentiment regarding its obesity drug VK2735 [1][11]. Company Developments - Viking completed enrollment in the phase III VANQUISH-1 study, evaluating VK2735 in obese or overweight adults with at least one weight-related co-morbidity, surpassing the target with approximately 4,650 patients enrolled [2]. - The company also achieved rapid enrollment milestones earlier this year in the phase II VENTURE-Oral Dosing study, which evaluated an oral formulation of VK2735 [3]. - Currently, Viking is enrolling patients in the phase III VANQUISH-2 study, targeting nearly 1,100 obese or overweight adults with type II diabetes, with recruitment expected to complete by early 2026 [5]. Market Context - The obesity drug market is expanding, influenced by the success of competitors like Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, indicating strong demand for VK2735 [4]. - The U.S. obesity market is projected to reach $100 billion by 2030, with major players optimizing production and developing new GLP-1-based candidates [7]. - Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are racing to introduce oral weight-loss pills, with Novo already seeking FDA approval for an oral version of Wegovy [8]. Competitive Landscape - Eli Lilly is investing in various obesity treatments, with several candidates in clinical development, including orforglipron and retatrutide, and plans to file for regulatory approval for orforglipron later this year [9]. Valuation and Performance - Viking Therapeutics shares are trading at a premium, with a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 5.84 compared to the industry average of 3.60 [13]. - Despite the recent surge, VKTX shares have underperformed the industry year to date [12].

Company Highlights - Viking Therapeutics has completed enrollment of approximately 4,650 adults in the phase III VANQUISH-1 study for its obesity drug VK2735, surpassing its initial target of 4,500 patients [2][3][9] - The study evaluates the safety and efficacy of three subcutaneous dosing arms (7.5 mg, 12.5 mg, and 17.5 mg) against a placebo, with a primary endpoint of percent change in body weight after 78 weeks [2][9] - The company is also enrolling patients in the phase III VANQUISH-2 study, targeting nearly 1,100 obese or overweight adults with type II diabetes, with expected completion in Q1 2026 [5] Industry Context - The obesity market is projected to reach $100 billion in the United States by 2030, driven by the success of existing drugs from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk [11] - Both companies are actively developing new oral weight-loss medications, with Novo Nordisk seeking FDA approval for an oral version of Wegovy by the end of this year [12] - Pfizer has re-entered the obesity market by acquiring Metsera for around $10 billion, adding four novel clinical-stage programs to its portfolio, which could generate significant peak sales [15]

Core Insights - Pfizer's stock has shown a potential short-term bullish trend, trading above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since early November and late September respectively [1][9] - The recent acquisition of Metsera for approximately $10 billion has positively impacted Pfizer's stock performance, alongside a drug pricing agreement with the U.S. administration [2][9] - Pfizer's oncology segment is a significant revenue driver, contributing around 28% to total revenues, with a year-to-date growth of 7% [5][10] Company Performance - Pfizer's oncology revenues are supported by key drugs such as Xtandi, Lorbrena, and Padcev, and the company aims to have eight or more blockbuster oncology medicines by 2030 [5][10] - The company is expanding its product labels and pipeline, including both oncology and non-oncology products [6] - Non-COVID operational revenues are improving, with a 9% operational increase in recently launched and acquired products in the first nine months of 2025 [7][10] Strategic Acquisitions - Pfizer has invested approximately $1.6 billion in business development transactions in 2025, including the Metsera acquisition, which re-enters the obesity market [11] - The Metsera acquisition adds four novel clinical-stage programs expected to generate significant peak sales [11] Challenges and Risks - Sales of COVID products, Comirnaty and Paxlovid, are experiencing softness due to lower vaccination and infection rates [12][13] - Pfizer anticipates a moderate negative revenue impact from loss of exclusivity (LOE) starting in 2025, with significant effects expected from 2026 to 2030 [14] - The company expects an unfavorable impact of approximately $1 billion from the Medicare Part D redesign under the Inflation Reduction Act [15] Financial Outlook - Pfizer's stock has underperformed compared to the industry and S&P 500, with a year-to-date loss of 5.4% [16] - The stock is trading at a price/earnings ratio of 7.97, below the industry average of 16.71 and its five-year mean of 10.48, indicating potential value [19] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has increased for 2025, reflecting a positive outlook [22] Future Projections - Pfizer expects a revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6% from 2025 to 2030, driven by its diversified portfolio [10] - The company aims to achieve cost savings of $7.7 billion by the end of 2027 through restructuring [25] - Pfizer's dividend yield stands at around 7%, providing an attractive return for investors [25]

Fiser's up to10 billion dollar deal to buy MSA ended a fierce bidding war with Nova Nordisk. It's a move aimed at establishing Fizer in the very fast growing market for obesity drugs. Joining us now any first on CNBC interview to discuss the deal and who knows what else of course is company's chairman and CEO Albert Borla.Nice to have you here. >> Thank you for having me David. >> Um from your original deal to where you ended up I think you're paying another two $2.1% billion.Why was it worth it to you to s ...

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the details of the deal between the White House, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to slash prices of obesity drugs, impact of the government shutdown on health care, fate of the ACA subsidies, and more. ...

Mergers and Acquisitions - Novo Nordisk's leader suggests Pfizer should increase its offer to acquire obesity-drug developer Metsera [1] - The potential acquisition of Metsera by Pfizer introduces competition between two major pharmaceutical companies [1]

Government Policy & Healthcare Access - President Trump announces new deals to lower the cost and expand Medicare coverage of certain obesity drugs [1]

President Trump announces new deals that will lower the cost and expand Medicare coverage of certain obesity drugs. https://t.co/h4sMkaBcYg ...

Core Viewpoint - Novo Nordisk has reduced its full-year forecasts due to slowing sales growth of its obesity drugs, raising concerns among investors about its competitive position against Eli Lilly and other rivals [1][2]. Group 1: Sales Performance and Market Position - Sales growth for Novo's obesity drug Wegovy has significantly slowed, leading to a sharp decline in its stock price by approximately 70% [4]. - Eli Lilly has outperformed Novo, with stronger results and an increased 2025 guidance, indicating a competitive advantage [3][4]. - The company is facing challenges from copycat drugs and increased competition, which has contributed to its market share loss [4][6]. Group 2: Management and Strategic Response - CEO Mike Doustdar, who took over in August, is implementing a turnaround plan to regain market share lost to Eli Lilly [3]. - Novo is expanding its direct-to-consumer sales in the U.S. and is optimistic about winning a bidding war for biotech firm Metsera, with a bid of $10 billion to enhance its obesity drug pipeline [5]. - Analysts have noted that management's tone has not been sufficiently optimistic, highlighting challenges such as pricing pressures and tighter U.S. insurance budgets [5]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape and Future Outlook - The illegal compounding of GLP-1 drugs has increased, with over a million patients in the U.S. using these copycat versions, further complicating Novo's market position [6]. - The company had previously anticipated a recovery in Wegovy sales following a ban on compound copycats, but this has not yet materialized [7].