Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 2.85%), a biotech that has shot to prominence thanks to a weight-loss drug it is developing, was a winning stock this week. Over the course of the past five trading days, its price rose by almost 18%, according to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence. It seems a global health agency is ready to support the kinds of medications the company is working on. WHO is backing weight-loss drugs?On Thursday, citing a memo it had reviewed, Reuters reported that no less a body than ...

Viking's leading drug candidate could be a blockbuster in the weight loss market, which experts believe could grow to $150 billion over the coming years.The pharmaceutical and biotechnology business tends to be about hitting home runs more than just getting on base. A highly successful drug, sometimes referred to as a blockbuster, can build up a small developer into a mainstream competitor. That's what investors are hoping for from Viking Therapeutics (VKTX -0.66%), a young company seeking to establish itse ...

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 3.44%) was one of the hottest biotech stocks of 2024; its shares soared last year following excellent clinical progress. However, things have been very different in 2025, at least so far: Its stock is down by 35% year to date due to a combination of factors.Should you steer clear of Viking Therapeutics? My view is that despite its struggles this year, there's still significant upside. Let's find out why it could be a top stock to hold for the long term.Why Viking Therapeutics' shar ...

Cantor Fitzgerald thinks the GLP-1 diet drug VK2735 will be a "multi-blockbuster" for Viking stock.Shares of Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 10.83%) jumped 12.5% through 11:40 a.m. ET on Tuesday on further support from Wall Street analysts.Viking stock inched higher Monday after Truist Securities analyst Joon Lee lowered his price target, while predicting the company will benefit from phase 3 clinical trial news on its new VK2735 weigh loss drug. Today, the shares are advancing by leaps and bounds on an even more ...

2025 is the year we learn whether Viking Therapeutics stock will be a winner.Viking Therapeutics (VKTX -1.08%) stock inched 2.3% higher through 10:20 a.m. ET Monday, and for a most curious reason.Truist Securities analyst Joon Lee just lowered his price target on the unprofitable biotech stock. Now why would investors think this is good news for Viking?Truist's backhanded compliment for Viking TherapeuticsThe theory goes like this: Lee cut his price target on Viking from $95 to $75 a share, warning the comp ...

Research and Development - The company incurred $101.6 million in research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily related to various clinical trials [118]. - For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the company reported $40.4 million in research and development expenses, focusing on ongoing clinical trials [118]. - Research and development expenses increased by 71.7% to $41.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $24.1 million in the same period of 2024 [129]. - The company expects to incur increased research and development expenses as it advances VK2735, VK2809, and VK0214 programs [128]. - The company expects to initiate Phase 3 clinical studies of VK2735 in the second quarter of 2025 based on FDA feedback [102]. - VK2735's Phase 1 trial was completed in March 2023, leading to the initiation of the Phase 2 VENTURE study in September 2023 [101]. - The Phase 2 VENTURE study of VK2735 demonstrated statistically significant mean body weight reductions of up to 14.7% from baseline after 13 weeks [102]. - VK2809 achieved its primary endpoint in the VOYAGE study, with significant reductions in liver fat content observed from baseline to Week 12 [109]. - In the VOYAGE study, up to 75% of VK2809-treated patients achieved NASH/MASH resolution with no worsening of fibrosis compared to 29% for placebo [110]. - VK0214 demonstrated significant reductions in plasma levels of VLCFAs in a Phase 1b clinical trial, indicating its potential for treating X-ALD [113]. - The company plans to file an investigational new drug application for its new DACRA program in the second half of 2024 [114]. Financial Performance - General and administrative expenses rose by 41.2% to $14.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, up from $10.0 million in the same period of 2024 [131]. - Total other income increased by 46.5% to $9.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $6.7 million in the same period of 2024 [133]. - Cash used in operating activities was $52.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $6.1 million in the same period of 2024 [141]. - Cash provided by investing activities was $63.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, primarily from proceeds of maturities of investments [144]. - As of March 31, 2025, the company had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaling $851.9 million, sufficient to fund operations through at least June 30, 2026 [134]. - The company anticipates continued losses as it advances drug candidates and seeks regulatory approvals, necessitating additional capital to fund operations and clinical trials [148]. Stock Repurchase and Investments - The company repurchased 729,034 shares under a prior stock repurchase program, which was completed by March 18, 2024 [136]. - A new stock repurchase program was authorized in February 2025, allowing for the purchase of up to $250.0 million in shares over two years [140]. - As of March 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents amounted to $37,940,000, an increase from $26,676,000 in 2024 [154]. - Short-term investments classified as available-for-sale totaled $813,918,000, down from $875,936,000 in 2024 [154]. - The total cash and short-term investments reached $851,858,000, compared to $902,612,000 in 2024 [154]. - A 10% increase or decrease in short-term interest rates would result in an annual interest income change of approximately $686,000 [154]. - The investment portfolio is primarily composed of U.S. government securities, investment-grade corporate bonds, and money market funds [151]. - The company does not hold any investments for trading purposes, focusing instead on preserving capital and ensuring liquidity [152]. - Interest income from cash and short-term investments will vary with fluctuations in U.S. interest rates [153]. - The company has implemented guidelines to limit the term-to-maturity of its investment instruments to manage interest rate risk [152]. - The fair value of the company's investments is not materially exposed to interest rate risk due to the conservative nature of the instruments held [152]. - The investment policy includes credit quality standards and limits exposure to any single issue or type of instrument [151].

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) reported a first-quarter 2025 loss of 41 cents per share, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 34 cents. The company had incurred a loss of 26 cents in the year-ago quarter.Currently, Viking Therapeutics does not have any approved products in its portfolio. Hence, it has yet to generate revenues. (Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.)More on VKTX’s Q1 EarningsResearch and development expenses surged 72% year over year to $41.4 mil ...

Exhibit 99.1 Viking Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update Conference call scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET today SAN DIEGO, April 23, 2025 -- Viking Therapeutics, Inc. ("Viking") (Nasdaq: VKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, and provided an update on its clinical pipeline and other corpo ...

Conference call scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET today Phase 3 Trials for Subcutaneous VK2735 Expected to Begin 2Q25 Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing Trial in Obesity Fully Enrolled; Data Expected 2H25 Broad Manufacturing Agreement with CordenPharma to Support Future Commercialization of VK2735 Strong Quarter-End Cash Position of $852 MillionSAN DIEGO, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --Viking Therapeutics, Inc. ("Viking") (Nasdaq: VKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therap ...

Group 1 - Viking Therapeutics is set to focus on key pipeline updates during its first-quarter earnings call, particularly on three clinical candidates: VK2735 for obesity, VK2809 for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and VK0214 for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) [1] - VK2735 is highlighted as a significant interest due to the growing trend in obesity treatments and the transformative effects of weight loss in the consumer health space [2] - The company has shown a classic reversal bottom in its stock price, indicating potential positive momentum, and is currently outperforming benchmarks on the Leadership indicator [3] Group 2 - The weekly chart analysis indicates that VKTX is in a distribution phase rather than a bear phase, with the 200-week moving average serving as a strong support area for the stock price [4] - The stock price is currently trading at levels similar to the end of 2023, with a notable peak at $100, suggesting potential for recovery [5] - A weekly close above $24.50 is seen as a positive indicator, with the potential for rewards exceeding risks by 4-5 times [5]