Group 1 - The company is pursuing its ambition to become a key player in the growing obesity market [1] - A significant collaboration agreement has been established with Roche regarding the main asset, petrelintide [1] - The focus with Roche is to accelerate the development program for petrelintide [1] Group 2 - Upcoming key data readouts are expected for petrelintide in Phase II and for survodutide, which is licensed to Boehringer in Phase III [1] - The company expresses excitement about the upcoming period and the rapid news flow [1]

Core Viewpoint - Viking Therapeutics' shares dropped 36% following mixed results from a mid-stage study of its obesity drug VK2735, raising concerns about the drug's safety and tolerability [1][11]. Company Analysis - VK2735 showed a 12.2% weight loss in patients on the highest dose after 13 weeks, compared to 1.3% in the placebo group, but high dropout rates were noted [1]. - Management suggested that side effects could be mitigated by gradually increasing doses, yet investor sentiment remains negative [2]. - The company currently has no marketed products and faces significant cash burn due to ongoing clinical studies, prompting a focus on the obesity pipeline [8]. Market Competition - The obesity market is projected to reach $100 billion in the U.S. by 2030, with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk leading the injectable segment [4]. - Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are also developing oral weight-loss pills, with recent disappointing results from Lilly's oral GLP-1 pill study [5]. - Novo Nordisk is seeking FDA approval for an oral version of Wegovy, which could enhance its competitive position in the obesity market [6]. Stock Performance and Valuation - Viking Therapeutics' stock has underperformed, dropping 38% this year compared to a 4% growth in the industry [12]. - The stock trades at a premium with a price/book ratio of 3.63, higher than the industry average of 2.98 [14]. - Estimates for losses per share for 2025 and 2026 have widened significantly in the past month [14].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the first six months of 2025, the company achieved 18% sales growth and 29% operating profit growth [8][42] - The gross margin decreased to 83.4% compared to 84.9% in 2024, primarily due to amortizations and depreciations related to Catalent [42] - Net profit increased by 22% and diluted earnings per share rose by 23% to DKK 12.49 [46] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. Operations sales grew by 17%, while international operations grew by 19% [12] - GLP-1 diabetes care sales in the U.S. increased by 9%, driven by Ozempic, while obesity care sales surged by 58% [12][19] - Rare disease sales increased by 15%, with U.S. operations growing by 23% [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company serves nearly 46 million patients with diabetes and obesity treatments, an increase of over 3.5 million patients compared to the first half of 2024 [10] - In international operations, GLP-1 diabetes sales increased by 10%, while obesity care sales grew by 125% [22] - The company holds a 71% market share in the GLP-1 segment in international operations [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to expand its diabetes and obesity markets, targeting new patient groups and physician segments [30] - A focus on innovation and operational efficiency is emphasized, with plans to enhance commercial execution [59] - The company is investing in a broad portfolio of treatments to address diverse patient segments in the obesity market [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management has lowered the full-year outlook for 2025 due to lower growth expectations for Wegovy and Ozempic in the U.S. [9][49] - The company remains confident in its ability to treat more patients with chronic diseases despite the adjustments in expectations [54] - The management highlighted the importance of addressing the unmet needs in diabetes and obesity globally [28] Other Important Information - The company has initiated a Phase III clinical development program for amicretin, targeting obesity and associated comorbidities [35] - The company plans to launch oral semaglutide for obesity in the U.S. next year without supply restrictions [103] - An interim dividend of DKK 3.75 per share has been announced, reflecting a 7% increase compared to the previous year [48] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the impact of Wegovy's formulary position with CVS? - Management is pleased with the conversion from the CVS formulary and is seeing results in line with expectations [66] Question: Has Novo initiated any litigation regarding compounding practices? - The company is prioritizing patient safety and is in dialogue with the FDA regarding illegal compounding practices, but specifics on litigation were not disclosed [68] Question: What is the outlook for growth in China? - Management clarified that the lower growth in China is due to destocking rather than loss of market share, and they are confident in future growth potential [75] Question: What changes in R&D focus can be expected? - The company will focus more on diabetes and obesity, reallocating resources to enhance growth in these core areas [82] Question: How is the company positioned for the launch of oral semaglutide? - The company is well-positioned for the launch of oral semaglutide for obesity next year, with no supply restrictions anticipated [103] Question: What are the pricing strategies for Wegovy and Ozempic? - Management is focused on volume growth but is also considering pricing strategies for the second half of the year [116]

In the past month, Novo Nordisk (NVO) shares have lost 16.7%, attributable to both sector-specific developments and broader macroeconomic headwinds. A key catalyst was last week’s announcement from rival Eli Lilly (LLY) , which reported first phase III success for its oral GLP-1 candidate, orforglipron, in lowering blood glucose and promoting weight loss in type II diabetes (T2D) patients. Oral pills, being more convenient than injectables, tend to boost patient adherence.Novo Nordisk also markets Rybelsus ...

Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Eli Lilly (LLY) dominate the diabetes and obesity market on the back of the tremendous success of their GLP-1 products.  Lilly markets its dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, tirzepatide, as Mounjaro for type II diabetes and as Zepbound for obesity. Novo Nordisk markets its semaglutide drugs as Ozempic pre-filled pen and Rybelsus oral tablet for type II diabetes and as Wegovy injection for weight management.Lilly’s Cardiometabolic Health segment, which includes Mounjaro, Zepbound and ...