Core Insights - The article discusses the potential of Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) as a contender in the GLP-1 drug market, which is currently dominated by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk [1][2][3] Industry Overview - GLP-1 drugs have gained popularity for their effectiveness in weight loss, leading to significant sales for current market leaders [1][5] - There is increasing competition in the GLP-1 market, with other pharmaceutical and biotech companies developing their own candidates [2][6] Company Analysis - Viking Therapeutics is currently studying VK2735, which is in phase 3 trials for an injectable formulation and phase 2 for a pill format, showing promising clinical trial results [6][10] - The dual formulation of VK2735 allows for easy switching between injectable and oral forms, enhancing patient convenience [7] - Viking's stock has historically reacted positively to good news, with a notable 121% increase following positive phase 2 trial data two years ago [9][10] Financial Metrics - Viking Therapeutics has a current market capitalization of $3.2 billion, with a stock price of $28.75 [9] - The stock has a 52-week range of $18.92 to $43.15, indicating volatility and potential for growth [9] Future Outlook - Positive trial results and potential regulatory approval for VK2735 could lead to significant revenue growth and profit for Viking [10] - There are suggestions that Viking could be a takeover target, which may provide additional investment opportunities [10]

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. This article is intended to provide informational content and should not be viewed as an exhaustive a ...

Conference Call Scheduled for Wednesday, February 11 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time  SAN DIEGO, Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 that the company will release financial results for the fourth quarter and year-end 2025 after the market close on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The company will host a conference call to discus ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the competitive landscape between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, highlighting their positions within the pharmaceutical industry and the potential for investment opportunities in these companies [1]. Group 1: Company Analysis - Eli Lilly (LLY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) are compared as archrivals in the pharmaceutical sector, with a focus on their market strategies and financial performance [1]. - The analysis aims to identify potential high-return investments, specifically targeting small- and mid-cap companies in the life sciences sector [1]. Group 2: Investment Focus - The author emphasizes a fundamental analysis approach to uncover potential "5–10 baggers," indicating a focus on companies that could significantly increase in value [1]. - The investment strategy includes a focus on early-commercial-stage life sciences companies, insurers, homebuilders, and select consumer-facing businesses [1].

Core Viewpoint - Investors are expected to focus on Viking Therapeutics' progress with VK2735, a dual agonist for obesity treatment, during the upcoming Q4 and full-year 2025 results announcement [1] Company Overview - Viking Therapeutics is developing VK2735 for obesity treatment, with no marketed drugs currently in its portfolio, leading to no expected revenues for the upcoming quarter [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q4 earnings is a loss of 89 cents per share [2] Pipeline Development - VK2735 is being studied in multiple late-stage studies, including VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2, for both oral and subcutaneous formulations [5] - The VANQUISH-1 study, completed in November 2025, evaluates VK2735 in obese adults with weight-related co-morbid conditions, while VANQUISH-2 focuses on obese or overweight adults with type II diabetes [6][7] Competitive Landscape - Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk dominate the obesity treatment market with their GLP-1 injections, which may increase competitive pressure on Viking Therapeutics [9] - Novo Nordisk recently launched an oral version of Wegovy, and an FDA decision on Lilly's oral obesity pill is expected in the first half of 2026 [9] Financial Performance - Viking Therapeutics has a history of earnings surprises, missing estimates in the last four quarters with an average negative surprise of 21.66% [11] - The company currently has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%, indicating no expected earnings beat for the upcoming report [12][13] Future Updates - Further updates on VK2735, as well as the company's NASH and X-ALD programs, are anticipated during the upcoming earnings call [10][8]

Core Insights - Celldex Therapeutics is focused on developing antibody-based therapies for allergic, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases, with a market capitalization of $1.76 billion [3] - The lead program, barzolvolimab, has shown promising results in clinical trials for chronic urticaria conditions, with significant efficacy and safety profiles reported [2][5] - The company is currently in a strong financial position with $583.2 million in cash and equivalents, expected to sustain operations until 2027 despite reporting a net loss of $67 million in Q3 [5] Clinical Development - Celldex initiated a global Phase 3 study for barzolvolimab in December, targeting ColdU and SD, with ongoing Phase 2 studies for prurigo nodularis and atopic dermatitis [1] - Positive Phase 2 results for barzolvolimab indicated that 66% of ColdU patients and 49% of SD patients achieved complete responses at 20 weeks, significantly outperforming placebo [2] - The company is also developing CDX-622, a bispecific antibody, with positive Phase 1 data and further results expected in Q3 2026 [1] Market Potential - There are over half a million patients in the U.S. and Europe suffering from various urticaria conditions, indicating a substantial unmet medical need that barzolvolimab could address [7] - Analysts have a favorable outlook on CLDX stock, with 13 out of 17 rating it a "Strong Buy" and an average target price suggesting a potential upside of 104% from current levels [7] Investment Landscape - The biotech sector, particularly for growth stocks like Celldex, is characterized by high risk and potential for significant returns based on clinical trial outcomes and regulatory approvals [4][6] - Celldex's stock performance is closely tied to the success of its clinical trials, typical for clinical-stage biotech companies [6]

Looking to beat the market over the next five years? Here's one strategy to adopt: Invest in stocks that have not performed well recently but boast attractive prospects. Two intriguing corporations to consider now are Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) and BioNTech (NASDAQ: BNTX). These biotech companies are somewhat risky, but after terrible performances in 2025, both could rebound this year and deliver strong returns through 2031. Allow me to explain. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team j ...

Core Insights - Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) are significant players in the obesity treatment market, with NVO being a market leader in GLP-1 therapies and VKTX developing a promising investigational drug [2][3][4]. Group 1: Novo Nordisk (NVO) - NVO holds a 59% global market share in the GLP-1 segment for diabetes and obesity care as of September 2025 [5]. - The company is expanding its manufacturing capacity and pursuing new indications for its semaglutide drugs, including cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction [6][7]. - The FDA approved NVO's 25 mg oral semaglutide (Wegovy pill) for obesity and CV disease, which has shown strong initial demand in the U.S. market [8]. - NVO is advancing its next-generation obesity pipeline, including CagriSema and amycretin, with several collaborations and acquisitions enhancing its portfolio [9]. - Despite recent successes, NVO faced challenges in 2025, including supply constraints and increased competition from Eli Lilly, leading to revised sales and profit growth outlooks [12][13]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NVO's 2025 sales and earnings per share (EPS) indicates a year-over-year increase of approximately 14% and 9%, respectively [20]. Group 2: Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) - VKTX's investigational drug VK2735 has shown potential for significant weight loss but faced setbacks due to mixed phase II study results and high dropout rates [14][15][16]. - The company is focusing on its obesity pipeline and plans to file for a new drug application for a dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist [18]. - VKTX lacks an approved product, making it vulnerable to intense competition and dependent on clinical outcomes for valuation [19][31]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests VKTX's loss per share will widen by approximately 165% in 2025 [20]. Group 3: Comparative Analysis - NVO's shares have decreased by 7.2% over the past six months, while VKTX shares are down 4.4%, compared to a 20.8% return for the industry [25]. - NVO trades at a price/book (P/B) ratio of 10.74, significantly higher than VKTX's 5.03, indicating a more expensive valuation for NVO [27]. - Both companies currently hold a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), but NVO is viewed as a safer investment due to its established revenue base and multiple growth catalysts [29][30].

Core Insights - Eli Lilly and Viking Therapeutics are both engaged in the rapidly growing weight loss drug market, with Eli Lilly's tirzepatide generating significant revenue and Viking's candidates advancing in late-stage clinical trials [1][6]. Industry Overview - The weight loss drug market is projected to reach nearly $100 billion by the end of the decade, indicating strong growth potential for these products [2][6]. Eli Lilly's Position - Eli Lilly's weight loss drugs, particularly Mounjaro and Zepbound, generated over $10 billion in sales in the most recent quarter, showcasing their market leadership alongside Novo Nordisk [3]. - The company is also exploring the introduction of an oral weight loss drug, orforglipron, which is currently under regulatory review and could positively impact stock performance upon approval [4]. Viking Therapeutics' Development - Viking Therapeutics is developing both injectable and oral candidates, currently in phase 3 and phase 2 trials, respectively, with promising results in regulating blood sugar levels and appetite [5]. - There is potential for Viking to capture market share in the obesity drug space, especially if they successfully advance their candidates or secure partnerships or acquisitions with larger companies [6][7].

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX) is one of the best US stocks to buy under $50. On January 12, Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX) announced a significant milestone in the development of its obesity drug VK2735. Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) Targets $150B Obesity Drug Market amid VK2735 Topline Results Data published in the peer-reviewed journal Obesity show that the drug achieved a weight loss of 14.7% from baseline after 13 weeks of treatment, with no plateau observed. The clinical trial ...