Pharma Acquisition Surge Fuels Weight Loss Drug Market
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 02 2026
0mins
Should l Buy VKTX?
Source: stocktwits
- Acquisition Trend: Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly turning to acquisitions as a primary route to enter advanced weight-loss therapy pipelines, with heightened expectations for Viking Therapeutics and Structure Therapeutics, indicating strong industry interest in the obesity drug market.
- VK2735 Gains Attention: Viking's dual-agonist obesity therapy VK2735 is advancing through Phase 3 trials, and investor optimism is reflected in a more than 2% rise in stock price during extended trading, showcasing market confidence in potential acquisitions.
- Market Dynamics Shift: With Eli Lilly and other pharma companies actively pursuing smaller pipeline acquisitions, interest in obesity drugs has surged, exemplified by Eli Lilly's recent acquisition of Centessa Pharmaceuticals for up to $7.8 billion, highlighting a preference for smaller deals in the sector.
- VKTX Retail Sentiment Shift: Retail sentiment for VKTX has shifted from 'bullish' to 'neutral' in the past day amid a 1,155% surge in message volume, reflecting investor focus and uncertainty about its future performance, with the stock rising 38% over the past year.
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Analyst Views on VKTX
Wall Street analysts forecast VKTX stock price to rise
12 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 35.510
Low
70.00
Averages
97.00
High
125.00
Current: 35.510
Low
70.00
Averages
97.00
High
125.00
About VKTX
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is focused on the development of therapies for the treatment of metabolic and endocrine disorders. Its clinical programs include VK2735, a novel dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptors for the potential treatment of various metabolic disorders. It is evaluating an oral formulation of VK2735 in a Phase II trial. It is also developing VK2809, a novel, orally available, small molecule selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for the treatment of lipid and metabolic disorders. Its newest program is evaluating a series of internally developed dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity and other metabolic disorders. In the rare disease space, it is developing VK0214, a novel, orally available, small molecule selective thyroid hormone receptor beta agonist for the potential treatment of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.
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.
Investment Opportunities in GLP-1 Drugs in Healthcare
- Eli Lilly's Market Performance: Eli Lilly reported a 45% sales increase in 2025, exceeding $65 billion, with net income nearing $21 billion, demonstrating its strong profitability in the GLP-1 drug market and solidifying its leadership in the healthcare sector.
- New Drug Approval Boosts Growth: The recent FDA approval of Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug Foundayo is expected to generate significant revenue, further enhancing its competitive edge in the rapidly growing healthcare market.
- Viking Therapeutics' Potential: Viking Therapeutics, with a market cap of only $4 billion, presents higher risk but shows promise with its GLP-1 drug VK2735 performing well in clinical trials; approval could attract large healthcare companies for acquisition, significantly increasing its market value.
- Balancing Risk and Reward: While Eli Lilly's stock is relatively safe, its price-to-earnings ratio exceeds 40, potentially limiting upside; in contrast, Viking Therapeutics could trigger a bidding war post-approval of VK2735, offering higher return potential.
See More
Viking Therapeutics: A Potential Obesity Market Leader
- Surging Market Demand: The obesity treatment sector is experiencing explosive demand, with projections suggesting a market size nearing $100 billion by the decade's end, positioning Viking Therapeutics as a potential beneficiary of significant revenue opportunities.
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking's VK2735 injectable is currently in phase 3 trials, having completed enrollment ahead of schedule, indicating strong patient interest; successful trial outcomes could pave the way for commercialization and revenue generation.
- Competitive Edge: As a GLP-1 class drug, Viking's candidate could provide a competitive alternative to existing products from Lilly and Novo, potentially capturing market share and generating substantial income if it successfully enters the market.
- Investment Return Potential: Although Viking has yet to achieve profitability, its stock surged 121% on positive phase 2 news, highlighting its volatility; continued positive developments could yield significant returns for investors in the future.
See More
Viking Therapeutics Targets Billion-Dollar Obesity Market
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 injectable is currently in a phase 3 trial that completed enrollment ahead of schedule, indicating strong market demand for this potential new drug, which could secure a foothold in the obesity drug market if successful.
- Massive Market Potential: The obesity drug market is projected to approach $100 billion by 2030, and if Viking's products are successfully commercialized, the company could capture a significant share of this lucrative market, driving substantial growth.
- Competitive Landscape Analysis: With Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk currently dominating the market, Viking's promising clinical candidates could generate considerable revenue if they reach commercialization, thereby enhancing the company's competitive position.
- Investor Attention: Although Viking's stock surged 121% in early 2024 due to positive news, caution is warranted as investors should closely monitor the ongoing developments in its obesity program to assess long-term investment potential.
See More
Viking Therapeutics to Attend Investor Conferences
- Clinical Stage Progress: Viking Therapeutics is advancing its VK2735 in a Phase 3 obesity program, which includes the VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 trials, aimed at evaluating its potential in treating metabolic disorders, with preliminary data indicating good safety and tolerability, potentially establishing a competitive edge for the company in the market.
- New Drug Development Success: VK2809 achieved both primary and secondary endpoints in a Phase 2b study for biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis, demonstrating effectiveness that could open new market opportunities for the company in lipid and metabolic disease treatment.
- Innovative Treatment Solutions: Viking is developing a series of dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs) to address obesity and other metabolic disorders, showcasing the company's ongoing commitment to innovative drug development and strategic positioning in the market.
- Rare Disease Research: VK0214 showed good safety and tolerability in a Phase 1b clinical trial for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), significantly reducing plasma levels of very long-chain fatty acids, potentially providing new solutions for rare disease treatment and enhancing the company's R&D capabilities.
See More
Viking Therapeutics to Attend Multiple Investor Conferences
- Investor Conference Schedule: Viking Therapeutics will participate in investor conferences on April 14 and April 16, 2026, in New York and Boston respectively, where management will hold one-on-one meetings aimed at attracting potential investors and enhancing company visibility.
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking's VK2735 is undergoing Phase 3 trials for obesity, including VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2, with early trials demonstrating a favorable safety and tolerability profile, potentially laying a foundation for the company's future market performance.
- New Drug Development Updates: VK2809 has successfully met both primary and secondary endpoints in Phase 2 trials for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and elevated LDL-C, showing significant reductions in LDL-C and liver fat content, thereby enhancing the company's competitiveness in the metabolic disease sector.
- Rare Disease Research: Viking is developing VK0214 for the treatment of X-ALD, with preliminary trial results indicating good safety and significant reductions in plasma levels of very long-chain fatty acids, showcasing the company's potential in the rare disease space.
See More
The 'Diabesity' Market Is Poised for Rapid Growth: Key Catalysts for Lilly and Novo Stocks.
Weight-loss Drugs in Focus: The spotlight is on weight-loss drugs, particularly GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound, as they gain popularity.
Market Competition: Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are key players in the emerging "diabesity" market, indicating a competitive landscape ahead.
See More
Investment Opportunities in GLP-1 Drugs in Healthcare
- Eli Lilly's Market Performance: Eli Lilly reported a 45% sales increase in 2025, exceeding $65 billion, with net income nearing $21 billion, demonstrating its strong profitability in the GLP-1 drug market and solidifying its leadership in the healthcare sector.
- New Drug Approval Boosts Growth: The recent FDA approval of Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug Foundayo is expected to generate significant revenue, further enhancing its competitive edge in the rapidly growing healthcare market.
- Viking Therapeutics' Potential: Viking Therapeutics, with a market cap of only $4 billion, presents higher risk but shows promise with its GLP-1 drug VK2735 performing well in clinical trials; approval could attract large healthcare companies for acquisition, significantly increasing its market value.
- Balancing Risk and Reward: While Eli Lilly's stock is relatively safe, its price-to-earnings ratio exceeds 40, potentially limiting upside; in contrast, Viking Therapeutics could trigger a bidding war post-approval of VK2735, offering higher return potential.
See More
Viking Therapeutics: A Potential Obesity Market Leader
- Surging Market Demand: The obesity treatment sector is experiencing explosive demand, with projections suggesting a market size nearing $100 billion by the decade's end, positioning Viking Therapeutics as a potential beneficiary of significant revenue opportunities.
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking's VK2735 injectable is currently in phase 3 trials, having completed enrollment ahead of schedule, indicating strong patient interest; successful trial outcomes could pave the way for commercialization and revenue generation.
- Competitive Edge: As a GLP-1 class drug, Viking's candidate could provide a competitive alternative to existing products from Lilly and Novo, potentially capturing market share and generating substantial income if it successfully enters the market.
- Investment Return Potential: Although Viking has yet to achieve profitability, its stock surged 121% on positive phase 2 news, highlighting its volatility; continued positive developments could yield significant returns for investors in the future.
See More
Viking Therapeutics Targets Billion-Dollar Obesity Market
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 injectable is currently in a phase 3 trial that completed enrollment ahead of schedule, indicating strong market demand for this potential new drug, which could secure a foothold in the obesity drug market if successful.
- Massive Market Potential: The obesity drug market is projected to approach $100 billion by 2030, and if Viking's products are successfully commercialized, the company could capture a significant share of this lucrative market, driving substantial growth.
- Competitive Landscape Analysis: With Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk currently dominating the market, Viking's promising clinical candidates could generate considerable revenue if they reach commercialization, thereby enhancing the company's competitive position.
- Investor Attention: Although Viking's stock surged 121% in early 2024 due to positive news, caution is warranted as investors should closely monitor the ongoing developments in its obesity program to assess long-term investment potential.
See More
Viking Therapeutics to Attend Investor Conferences
- Clinical Stage Progress: Viking Therapeutics is advancing its VK2735 in a Phase 3 obesity program, which includes the VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 trials, aimed at evaluating its potential in treating metabolic disorders, with preliminary data indicating good safety and tolerability, potentially establishing a competitive edge for the company in the market.
- New Drug Development Success: VK2809 achieved both primary and secondary endpoints in a Phase 2b study for biopsy-confirmed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis, demonstrating effectiveness that could open new market opportunities for the company in lipid and metabolic disease treatment.
- Innovative Treatment Solutions: Viking is developing a series of dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs) to address obesity and other metabolic disorders, showcasing the company's ongoing commitment to innovative drug development and strategic positioning in the market.
- Rare Disease Research: VK0214 showed good safety and tolerability in a Phase 1b clinical trial for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), significantly reducing plasma levels of very long-chain fatty acids, potentially providing new solutions for rare disease treatment and enhancing the company's R&D capabilities.
See More
Viking Therapeutics to Attend Multiple Investor Conferences
- Investor Conference Schedule: Viking Therapeutics will participate in investor conferences on April 14 and April 16, 2026, in New York and Boston respectively, where management will hold one-on-one meetings aimed at attracting potential investors and enhancing company visibility.
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking's VK2735 is undergoing Phase 3 trials for obesity, including VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2, with early trials demonstrating a favorable safety and tolerability profile, potentially laying a foundation for the company's future market performance.
- New Drug Development Updates: VK2809 has successfully met both primary and secondary endpoints in Phase 2 trials for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and elevated LDL-C, showing significant reductions in LDL-C and liver fat content, thereby enhancing the company's competitiveness in the metabolic disease sector.
- Rare Disease Research: Viking is developing VK0214 for the treatment of X-ALD, with preliminary trial results indicating good safety and significant reductions in plasma levels of very long-chain fatty acids, showcasing the company's potential in the rare disease space.
See More
The 'Diabesity' Market Is Poised for Rapid Growth: Key Catalysts for Lilly and Novo Stocks.
Weight-loss Drugs in Focus: The spotlight is on weight-loss drugs, particularly GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound, as they gain popularity.
Market Competition: Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are key players in the emerging "diabesity" market, indicating a competitive landscape ahead.
See More
