Eli Lilly vs. Viking Therapeutics in Weight Loss Drug Market
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 18 2026
0mins
Should l Buy LLY?
Source: Fool
- Market Share Leadership: Eli Lilly commands a 60% share in the weight loss drug market, bolstered by investments in manufacturing capacity and head-to-head studies showing superior weight loss efficacy compared to Novo Nordisk, solidifying its leadership in the U.S. market.
- Strong Product Performance: Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound achieved triple-digit revenue growth in the latest quarter, and despite an 8% drop in stock price this year, it trades at a forward P/E of 28, reflecting market confidence in its growth prospects.
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking Therapeutics is advancing its VK2735 candidate into phase 3 trials, showing strong performance, and with demand for weight loss drugs exceeding supply, successful regulatory approval could carve out significant market share for the company.
- Potential Market Opportunity: Lilly's oral weight loss drug is under regulatory review and could be approved in the coming weeks, serving as a catalyst for its stock price, making this an opportune time for investors to consider shares in this weight loss drug leader.
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Analyst Views on LLY
Wall Street analysts forecast LLY stock price to rise
20 Analyst Rating
18 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 878.240
Low
950.00
Averages
1192
High
1500
Current: 878.240
Low
950.00
Averages
1192
High
1500
About LLY
Eli Lilly and Company is a medicine company, which discovers, develops, manufactures, and market products in a single business segment called human pharmaceutical products. The Company manufacture and distribute its products through facilities in the United States, including Puerto Rico, and in Europe and Asia. The Company’s products are sold in approximately 90 countries. Its Cardiometabolic Health products Basaglar; Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, and others; Humulin, Humulin 70/30, and others; Jardiance; Mounjaro; Trulicity; Zepbound, and others. Its oncology products include Cyramza, Erbitux, Tyvyt, Verzenio, Retevmo, Jaypirca, and others. Its immunology products include Ebglyss, Olumiant, Omvoh, and Taltz. Its neuroscience products include Emgality and Kisunla. Its LillyDirect, a direct-to-patient digital health care platform, provides delivery of select Lilly medicines dispensed by third-party pharmacies to patients.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Statistical Superiority: The aim is to demonstrate that Total Tz Monotherapy is statistically superior in its effects compared to other treatments.
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New Data Presentation: Phase 3 data for the drugs IxeKizumab (brand name: Taltz) and Tirzepatide (brand name: Zepbound) was presented at an annual meeting.
Efficacy Results: The data demonstrated superior efficacy for adults suffering from psoriatic arthritis and obesity.
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- Oil Price Volatility: Crude oil prices surged 55% in March following Trump's threat to 'take the oil in Iran,' marking the largest monthly gain ever, which has heightened concerns about the potential impact on the U.S. economy and market sentiment.
- Government Shutdown Impact: Trump signed an executive order to ensure TSA employees are paid after Congress failed to reach a deal, which may lead to longer security wait times and higher airfare for travelers, further affecting consumer confidence.
- Tech Industry Legal Risks: Meta's two courtroom defeats reveal the legal liabilities tech companies face when researching product impacts, which could have significant implications for the AI industry, prompting firms to reassess the risks versus rewards of such research investments.
- Pharmaceutical Collaboration: Eli Lilly's $2.75 billion deal with Insilico Medicine aims to bring AI-developed drugs to the global market, which not only boosted Lilly's stock price but also highlights the rapidly growing potential of AI applications in the pharmaceutical sector.
See More
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- Oil Price Surge: Crude oil prices skyrocketed by 55% in March following Trump's threat to seize Iranian oil, marking the largest monthly gain ever, which pressures the U.S. economy and forces companies to adjust pricing strategies to cope with rising costs.
- Market Recovery Signal: Despite the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite experiencing their worst week of 2026, stock futures rose after Trump indicated “great progress” in negotiations with Iran, reflecting investor optimism about market recovery.
- TSA Employee Pay Restoration: Trump signed an executive order ensuring Transportation Security Administration employees will receive pay after Congress failed to reach a deal to end the government shutdown, alleviating traveler frustrations caused by long security wait times.
- AI Drug Development Partnership: Eli Lilly struck a $2.75 billion deal with Insilico Medicine to bring AI-developed drugs to market, enhancing Lilly's market confidence and potentially accelerating the application of AI in the pharmaceutical industry.
See More
Vanguard ETFs Shine Amid Market Turbulence
- Safe Haven: The Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (VTIP) focuses on short-term U.S. Treasury bonds, delivering only a 3.15% return over the past decade, yet it protects capital during market downturns, ensuring investors' purchasing power remains intact against inflation.
- Consumer Staples ETF Outperformance: The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC), holding 104 consumer staples stocks, only fell 4% during the 2022 bear market, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 19% drop and the Nasdaq's 33%, demonstrating its resilience amid economic uncertainty.
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See More
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Stock Market Reaction: Stock futures are showing an upward trend on Monday.
Conflict Duration: The war in Iran has now entered its second month.
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