Key Takeaways LLY's Mounjaro and Zepbound generated $36.5B in 2025, about 56% of total revenuesLilly's duo leads U.S. diabetes and obesity new scripts, topping Novo Nordisk's semaglutide drugs.LLY plans to launch its oral GLP-1 orforglipron in the United States in 2026.Eli Lilly’s (LLY) key top-line drivers are its GLP-1 medicines, Mounjaro for type II diabetes and Zepbound for obesity. Despite being on the market for slightly more than three years, Mounjaro and Zepbound have seen exceptional sales growth, ...

Core Insights - The weight-loss drug market is rapidly growing, with investment opportunities in established companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, as well as smaller biotech firms like Viking Therapeutics [1][2] Company Overview - Viking Therapeutics is focusing on developing VK2735, a GLP-1 medicine currently in phase 3 clinical trials, which increases the likelihood of approval compared to candidates in earlier stages [5][10] - The company is exploring both subcutaneous and oral formulations of VK2735, aiming to address the challenge of maintaining weight loss after treatment [7][8] Market Potential - As of mid-2025, there are 277 obesity-drug candidates in development, but most are unlikely to receive approval, highlighting the competitive nature of the market [4] - Viking's strong mid-stage results for VK2735 position it favorably within this competitive landscape, potentially leading to significant financial success and stock market returns over the next decade [8] Investment Considerations - Investing in Viking Therapeutics is considered riskier but may offer higher upside potential, with a suggested investment of $5,000 for those with above-average risk tolerance [2][10] - The success of VK2735 in phase 3 trials is critical for the company's future market impact and stock performance [10]

Novo Nordisk’s stock hit a 52-week low after its REDEFINE 4 trial failed to demonstrate non-inferiority in weight loss compared to Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, marketed under the Zepbound and Mounjaro brands.The trial showed a weight loss of 20.2% with CagriSema versus 23.6% with tirzepatide, leading to a significant drop in Novo Nordisk shares.The REDEFINE 4 trial involved 809 subjects over 84 weeks, and while CagriSema demonstrated a safe profile, the results did not meet expectations.William Blair analyst An ...

Viking stock has plenty of room to run.The weight loss drug market has been one key focus for investors in recent years. This is because demand has been incredibly high, driving blockbuster revenue for companies making such products -- here, I'm talking about pharma giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.But these companies aren't the only ones that could win in the market in the years to come. One biotech company in particular is approaching the finish line, with its candidate involved in a phase 3 trial. This ...

If you're looking to add a bit of growth to your portfolio, you may turn to well-recognized growth companies that already generate major revenue -- or you could turn to the potential winners of tomorrow. Both types of companies make good additions. The former offers you a combination of security and growth, while the latter often offers you innovation at a bargain price. Right now, let's talk about future winners. And the perfect place to find them is in the biotech industry. Here, companies are working ...

Core Viewpoint - The analyst community anticipates significant gains for Viking Therapeutics, with a consensus price target of $92.94, representing over 200% upside from the current price, and one analyst suggesting a target of $125, indicating more than 300% potential growth [1][2]. Company Overview - Viking Therapeutics is primarily focused on its lead drug candidate, VK2735, which is currently in phase 3 trials aimed at weight loss [2][5]. - The company has other drugs in clinical trials, but investor expectations are heavily centered on VK2735 due to its promising prospects [2]. Drug Candidate Details - VK2735 is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) drug, similar to Eli Lilly's Orforglipron and Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, which may appeal to the FDA upon completion of phase 3 trials [3]. - VK2735 has a competitive edge in terms of tolerability, as users tend to stick with it longer compared to other GLP-1-based weight loss therapies, despite similar efficacy [4]. Market Potential and Strategy - In addition to the phase 3 trial for subcutaneous injections, there is also a phase 2 trial for oral dosing, which could provide marketing flexibility for VK2735 [5]. - Analysts suggest that Viking Therapeutics could be an acquisition target for larger pharmaceutical companies looking to enter the weight loss drug market with a well-developed candidate [5]. Competitive Landscape - Viking Therapeutics faces competition from established players like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, which already have comparable products on the market, raising concerns about the differentiation of VK2735 [6].

Core Insights - Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) is a leader in the diabetes and obesity treatment market, driven by the success of its GLP-1 therapies, Mounjaro and Zepbound, which utilize tirzepatide for effective treatment [1][2] Industry Overview - The global obesity drug market is expected to grow significantly, reaching nearly $95 billion by 2030 and potentially $125 billion by 2035, according to Goldman Sachs estimates [3] - Both Lilly and Novo Nordisk are competing to develop next-generation GLP-1 treatments, including oral options, to maintain their market leadership [3] Product Pipeline - Lilly is investing in obesity treatments with several new molecules in clinical development, including oral and injectable medications [4] - A key candidate in Lilly's obesity pipeline is orforglipron, a once-daily oral GLP-1 small molecule, which could lower treatment burden and broaden patient adoption [5] - Positive data from six studies on orforglipron has led to regulatory applications in the U.S., EU, and other countries, with a U.S. launch expected in Q2 2026 [6][11] - Lilly is also evaluating orforglipron in late-stage studies for other conditions, expanding its revenue potential beyond obesity and type II diabetes [7] - Another candidate, retatrutide, is being studied for obesity and knee osteoarthritis pain, with plans for approval in 2026 [8][9] Competitive Landscape - Competition in the obesity market is intensifying, with Novo Nordisk set to launch an oral version of Wegovy in January 2026, potentially impacting Lilly's market share [12] - Smaller biotech companies are also developing oral GLP-1 drugs, such as Viking Therapeutics and Structure Therapeutics, which may further increase competition [13][14] Financial Performance - Lilly's stock has increased by 19.5% over the past year, compared to the industry's 18.2% rise [15] - The stock is currently trading at a price/earnings ratio of 29.70, higher than the industry average of 18.82, but below its 5-year mean of 34.57 [17] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 has risen from $33.15 to $33.80 per share, indicating positive revisions in earnings expectations [20]

Core Insights - Wall Street analysts are showing strong confidence in four clinical-stage biotech companies, with potential price targets indicating gains of up to 384% [1] - These companies are characterized by significant risks but have compelling late-stage pipelines and upcoming catalysts that attract institutional investors [1] Company Summaries EyePoint Pharmaceuticals - Current trading price is $12.94 with a consensus target of $36.08, suggesting a 179% upside [2] - The lead candidate, Duravyu, targets diabetic macular edema and wet age-related macular degeneration, with pivotal Phase 3 trials starting in Q1 2026 [2] - Q3 2025 revenue was $5.33 million, down from $10.52 million a year prior, with a net loss of $59.4 million and cash reserves of $71.1 million [3] - All 13 analysts rate it Buy or Strong Buy, with the stock having doubled over the past year but down 29% year-to-date [3] Janux Therapeutics - Trading at $13.14 with a consensus target of $63.59, indicating a 384% potential upside [4] - The company’s TRACTr and TRACIr platforms are designed for tumor-activated T-cell engagement, with two candidates in clinical trials [4] - Q3 2025 revenue surged to $10.0 million from $439,000 a year earlier, with a net loss of $24.31 million and R&D expenses nearly doubling to $34.63 million [5] - Cash position stands at $989 million, with all 19 analysts rating it Buy or Strong Buy [5] Kyverna Therapeutics - Currently trading at $7.26, with analysts targeting $29.60, implying a 308% upside [6] - The lead candidate, KYV-101, is in late-stage trials for stiff person syndrome and myasthenia gravis, with positive interim data supporting its clinical thesis [6][7] - Q3 2025 net loss was $36.8 million, better than estimates, and the company has secured a $150 million loan facility alongside $171.1 million in cash [7] - All six analysts rate it Buy or Strong Buy, with the stock having surged 139% over the past year [7] Viking Therapeutics - Trading at $29 with a consensus target of $92.72, representing a 220% upside [8] - The lead drug, VK2735, is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist in Phase 3 trials, with significant patient enrollment [8] - Q4 2025 net loss was $157.7 million, missing estimates, while R&D expenses increased significantly [9] - Cash reserves are at $706 million, with 17 out of 18 analysts rating it Buy or Strong Buy [9] Industry Overview - The four companies represent high-conviction investments in clinical-stage biotech, with Viking's obesity market positioning offering the largest potential opportunity [10] - Kyverna's CAR T approach addresses unmet needs in autoimmune diseases, while Janux's platform technology provides multiple avenues for success [10] - EyePoint's more mature pipeline includes near-term catalysts, and all four companies carry inherent clinical-stage risks but have strong analyst support indicating favorable risk-reward profiles for patient investors [10]

Core Viewpoint - Viking Therapeutics (VKTX.US) shares surged over 15%, reaching $32.9, following the announcement of advancing its experimental weight loss drug VK2735 into late-stage research in Q3 of this year [1] Group 1 - The company plans to move VK2735, a weight loss pill, into late-stage research [1] - Mid-stage research indicates that a low-dose oral treatment strategy can effectively maintain weight [1]

Core Insights - Viking Therapeutics reported a Q4 2025 loss of $1.38 per share, which is wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.89, and a significant increase from a loss of $0.32 per share in the same quarter last year [1][9] - The company has no approved products and has not generated any revenues [4] Financial Performance - Research and development expenses surged to $153.5 million in Q4 2025, compared to $31.0 million in the same period last year, primarily due to increased costs for clinical studies and employee-related expenses [2] - General and administrative expenses decreased by 26% year over year to $11.3 million, mainly due to lower legal and patent service costs [2] - For the full year 2025, Viking reported a loss of $3.19 per share, compared to a loss of $1.01 in the previous year [4] Cash Position - As of December 31, 2025, Viking Therapeutics had cash and cash equivalents of $706 million, a slight decrease from $715 million as of September 30, 2025 [3] Pipeline Developments - Viking is developing VK2735, a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, for obesity treatment, with both oral and subcutaneous formulations in clinical studies [5] - The company has initiated a late-stage program for the subcutaneous formulation of VK2735, consisting of two phase III studies, VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2, with enrollment for VANQUISH-1 already completed [6] - Plans to advance the oral version of VK2735 into late-stage development are set to begin in Q3 2026, which has positively impacted stock prices [7] Market Context - The obesity treatment market is currently dominated by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, with their GLP-1 injections, and the advancement of VK2735 oral formulation positions Viking among a select group of companies with a phase III-ready oral obesity therapy [8] - The stock has underperformed, losing 3% over the past year compared to the industry’s nearly 19% growth [10]