Key Takeaways Novo Nordisk unveiled limited-time $199 pricing for new Wegovy and Ozempic self-pay patients.Pricing shifts follow an agreement to expand U.S. access and move patients toward FDA-approved treatments.Novo Nordisk seeks to regain share from Lilly as compounded products pressure demand and guidance cuts.Last week, Novo Nordisk (NVO) announced that its popular semaglutide-based GLP-1 injections, Wegovy (for obesity) and Ozempic (for diabetes), will be offered at a limited-time price of $199 per m ...

Core Viewpoint - The healthcare sector presents significant investment opportunities for long-term investors, particularly in stocks that demonstrate growth potential and resilience against market fluctuations [2]. Group 1: Pfizer - Pfizer has experienced a transformative period, shifting from slow growth to a surge in revenue due to the success of its COVID-19 vaccine developed with BioNTech [4]. - The company has strategically utilized profits from its COVID-19 products to acquire other firms, including a pivotal $43 billion acquisition of Seagen in 2023, enhancing its oncology portfolio with four approved cancer therapies [5][6]. - Pfizer's recent product launches include a range of treatments such as the RSV vaccine Abrysvo and the migraine treatment Nurtec, which are expected to drive future growth [7]. - The company reported total revenue of approximately $45 billion in the first nine months of 2025, with a 24% year-over-year increase in GAAP net income to $9.4 billion [10]. - Pfizer has a strong dividend history, delivering over $7 billion in cash dividends in the first nine months of 2025, with a current yield close to 7% [11]. - The company is focusing on non-COVID growth areas, including oncology and cardiometabolic treatments, while also pursuing acquisitions to counteract patent expirations [9][12]. Group 2: Viking Therapeutics - Viking Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with its value largely dependent on successful clinical trials and regulatory approvals [13]. - The lead candidate, VK2735, has shown promising results in early trials for weight loss and diabetes improvement, targeting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors [14][15]. - The injectable formulation of VK2735 is in phase 3 trials and has demonstrated significant weight reduction, positioning it competitively against existing treatments [17]. - Viking has a diversified pipeline, including candidates for metabolic liver disease and a rare genetic condition, which may reduce reliance on a single product's success [18][19]. - The company ended Q3 2025 with over $715 million in cash, providing stability for ongoing research and development without immediate fundraising concerns [19][20].

The global weight loss drug market, perhaps ironically, is growing like gangbusters these days. Globally, it’s set to expand from $15 billion in 2024 to $150 billion by 2035, according to Morgan Stanley.The asset management giant reports that 11% of the global eligible population of 1.3 billion people are taking weight-loss drugs, including 20% of eligible patients in the U.S. and 10% in other countries. Morgan Stanley cites expanded supply and clinical benefits for other diseases, such as heart and kidney ...

Core Insights - The article discusses three mid-cap stocks with potential for significant growth, specifically CRISPR Therapeutics, Viking Therapeutics, and e.l.f. Beauty, which have market caps between $2 billion and $10 billion [1][2]. CRISPR Therapeutics - CRISPR Therapeutics has a market cap of approximately $5.2 billion and offers an approved gene therapy treatment, Casgevy, for sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia, valued at over $2 million per treatment [3][5]. - The rollout of Casgevy has been slow, with around 300 patients referred to treatment centers, leading to investor disappointment; the company has reported net losses of $451 million over the past nine months [5][6]. Viking Therapeutics - Viking Therapeutics, with a market cap of around $4.3 billion, is developing a GLP-1 weight loss drug, VK2735, which is currently in phase 3 trials [7][8]. - In earlier trials, VK2735 helped participants lose up to 14.7% of their body weight in 13 weeks; the potential market for GLP-1 drugs could reach $95 billion by 2030 [10][11]. - Viking has incurred losses exceeding $237 million over the past year and does not currently generate revenue, making it a higher-risk investment [11]. e.l.f. Beauty - e.l.f. Beauty has a market cap of approximately $4 billion and is popular among teens, ranking as the top cosmetics brand with a 36% mindshare in a recent survey [12]. - The company projects revenue of around $1.6 billion and adjusted net income of at least $165 million for the year, despite share prices dropping over 40% due to tariff exposure from manufacturing 80% of its products in China [13][14]. - e.l.f. has raised prices on many products by $1, which may help it navigate current challenges; if tariffs are resolved, the stock could see significant growth [14].

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]

Stocks To Watch: Viking Therapeutics Sees Relative Strength Rating Rise To 89 11/18/2025Viking Therapeutics sees its Relative Strength Rating enter the 80-plus level. BREAKING: Futures Rise After Market Sell-Off Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) stock tumbled Wednesday after the biotech company said it over-enrolled one of its final-phase studies for weight-loss shot VK2735. The company was angling to enroll 4,500 patients who are overweight or have obesity with at least one related condition. Instead, Viking sign ...

Core Insights - Recent clinical results have led to a reevaluation of the market potential for oral weight loss medications, particularly after disappointing outcomes from Eli Lilly's orforglipron and Viking Therapeutics' VK2735, which did not meet investor expectations for weight loss efficacy [4][5] - Analysts suggest that while oral therapies may struggle to replace injectable formulations in the U.S. market, they could have greater utility in low- and middle-income countries due to easier distribution and administration [4][6] Injectable Drugs Remain Dominant - By 2030, oral therapies are projected to capture about 25% of the global anti-obesity drug market, but injectable peptide drugs are expected to maintain dominance in the U.S. market [5] - Patients and doctors in the U.S. prefer options that provide the most significant weight loss, leading to a forecast that 80-90% of Viking's VK2735 revenue will come from its injectable version [5] Clinical Results and Benchmark Discrepancies - The market benchmark for weight loss is set by Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, which achieves a 12-13% placebo-adjusted weight loss. In contrast, orforglipron only achieved 9.1% over 72 weeks, resulting in a 14% stock drop for Eli Lilly [7][10] - VK2735 showed a 10.9% placebo-adjusted weight loss in 13 weeks, but high patient dropout rates raise concerns about its tolerability [10] Small Molecules vs. Peptides: Different Models in Competition - Key candidates include Novo Nordisk's high-dose oral semaglutide, Eli Lilly's orforglipron, and Viking's oral VK2735, with the first two being peptides and orforglipron a small molecule [11] - Small molecules theoretically have lower production costs, but market performance will ultimately depend on efficacy and clinical outcomes [11] - Novo Nordisk's high-dose oral semaglutide shows an average weight loss of 16.6%, maintaining a strong market position [11] Data Interpretation and Trial Duration Differences - Analysts caution against direct comparisons between trials due to differing durations; VK2735's data covers only 13 weeks, while orforglipron and oral semaglutide have longer spans [12] - Early data may not reflect long-term efficacy, as weight loss effects often stabilize after 30 weeks [12] Market Dynamics and Future Competition - The industry is closely monitoring whether oral therapies can significantly alter market dynamics, with Novo Nordisk submitting a high-dose oral semaglutide application to the FDA and Eli Lilly planning to submit orforglipron's application [14] - Novo Nordisk appears to lead in the oral segment, with superior efficacy and established supply capabilities, while Eli Lilly's oral candidate has underperformed [14] - Viking's oral product shows potential in short-term data, but long-term efficacy and tolerability remain to be validated [14] Conclusion - The emergence of oral weight loss medications adds a new dimension to the anti-obesity market, but injectable formulations remain the core choice in developed markets like the U.S. [15] - In resource-limited regions, the convenience of oral small molecules may provide a competitive edge [15] - Ultimately, market dynamics will be determined by efficacy, tolerability, and patient adherence as clinical developments progress [15]

Corporate Presentation November 2025 Forward-Looking Statements This presentation contains statements about our future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including risks relating to: both our and our collaborators' ability to successf ...

Company Overview - Viking Therapeutics is a San Diego-based company focused on metabolic and endocrine disorders with approximately 55 employees [3]. Clinical Programs - The company is developing VK2735, a GLP-1/GIP dual agonist for obesity, which is currently in a Phase III program known as the VANQUISH program [3]. - An oral formulation of VK2735 has recently completed a Phase II study, with data to be discussed in the presentation [3]. - An amylin agonist is approaching the clinic, with an IND filing expected in the first quarter [4]. - Additional programs include VK2809, which has completed a Phase IIb study in MASH, and VK0214, which has gone through a Phase Ib study in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy; however, these programs are not actively being developed [4].

Viking Therapeutics Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Viking Therapeutics (NasdaqCM: VKTX) - **Focus**: Metabolic and endocrine disorders - **Location**: San Diego, California - **Employees**: Approximately 55 Key Programs and Developments - **VK2735**: A GLP-1 GIP dual agonist for obesity - Currently in Phase III program called the VANQUISH program [4][35] - Oral formulation recently completed Phase II study [4][35] - **Amylin Agonist**: Expected to file an IND in the first quarter of 2026 [5][36] - **VK2809**: A thyroid receptor beta agonist that has completed a Phase IIb study in NASH [5] - **VK0214**: Another thyroid receptor beta agonist that has completed a Phase Ib study in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy [5] Clinical Data and Efficacy - **VK2735 Oral Formulation**: - Phase II study showed up to 12.2% body weight reduction after 13 weeks of dosing [20][29] - Weight loss maintained for four weeks after the last dose [10][20] - Excellent tolerability with most adverse events classified as mild to moderate [21][29] - **VK2735 SubQ Formulation**: - Phase II study showed weight loss of 9% to 15% from baseline after 13 weeks [25][30] - Durable weight loss observed 21 days after the last dose [23][30] - Excellent tolerability with 98% of adverse events classified as mild to moderate [24][30] Pipeline and Future Studies - **VANQUISH Phase III Studies**: - VANQUISH I: Completed enrollment, focusing on obesity [30][35] - VANQUISH II: Expected to complete enrollment in the first quarter of next year [30][35] - **Maintenance Study**: Ongoing with a focus on transitioning from weekly to monthly dosing [33][34] Financial Overview - **Cash Position**: Over $700 million as of the third quarter, expected to fund through the VANQUISH Phase III data readouts [34][35] Additional Insights - The company is prioritizing mid-range doses for the oral formulation based on pharmacokinetics and gastrointestinal tolerability [37] - The potential for transitioning from SubQ to oral dosing to maintain weight loss is being explored [37] This summary encapsulates the key points from the Viking Therapeutics conference call, highlighting the company's focus on metabolic disorders, clinical program advancements, and financial health.