Viking Therapeutics Completes VK2735 Trial Enrollment Amid Market Decline
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 26 2025
0mins
Viking Therapeutics Inc. shares fell 7.81% as the stock hit a 20-day low, reflecting broader market weakness with the Nasdaq-100 down 0.80% and the S&P 500 down 0.37%.
The company announced the completion of patient enrollment for its Phase 3 VANQUISH-2 clinical trial of VK2735, involving approximately 1,000 adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes. This milestone is expected to enhance Viking's competitive edge in metabolic disease treatments, despite the current market conditions. CEO Brian Lian highlighted the strong market demand for new obesity treatment options, which could positively impact the company's future performance.
While the completion of the trial enrollment is a significant step forward, the stock's decline indicates that investor sentiment remains cautious amid broader market trends. The ongoing development of VK2735 positions Viking Therapeutics to potentially capture a larger share of the obesity treatment market, but the current market environment poses challenges.
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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: 32.190
Low
70.00
Averages
97.00
High
125.00
Current: 32.190
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.
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- AbbVie's Strategic Development: AbbVie is studying a long-acting amylin analog, with early trials indicating weight loss of 7% to 9%, which could add significant growth potential to its portfolio and strengthen its market position if successfully commercialized.
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- AbbVie's New Strategy: AbbVie is studying a long-acting amylin analog, with early trials showing weight loss of 7% to 9%, which could add significant growth potential to its product portfolio if successful.
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- Dramatic Stock Price Decline: Viking's stock price has plummeted from nearly $100 to below $30, reflecting investor pessimism regarding its future prospects, particularly in light of stronger competitors entering the market.
- Cash Burn Risks: With approximately $603 million in cash on hand but burning through about $114 million per quarter, Viking may face dilution risks if it fails to raise additional funds soon, further undermining investor confidence.
- Slow Clinical Progress: Although VK2735 remains in clinical trials, competitors are advancing in drug development, potentially placing Viking at a disadvantage in the market and affecting its long-term growth potential.
See More
Is It Time to Reload Your Underinvested Portfolio?
- Shopify Stock Fluctuations: Shopify's stock has dropped 40% since last October, currently valued at $154 billion; despite pressures from slowing sales growth and rising interest rates, its Q1 revenue growth rate of 34% highlights its significance in the future of e-commerce.
- Nice's Customer Service Technology: Nice Ltd, with a market cap of $5.4 billion, derives only 14% of its cloud revenue from AI, yet its Q1 recurring revenue grew 66% year-over-year, showcasing its strong performance and growth potential in the customer service market.
- Viking Therapeutics' Drug Development: Viking Therapeutics is conducting phase 3 trials for its GLP-1 weight-loss drug VK2735, currently valued at $3.8 billion; analysts unanimously rate its stock as a strong buy with a target price of $95.40, reflecting confidence in its market potential.
- Investor Focus on Emerging Stocks: Despite overall market volatility, investor interest in Shopify, Nice, and Viking indicates optimism towards these growth stocks, particularly in the long-term growth prospects within the e-commerce and health sectors.
See More
Analysis of Shopify's Stock Price Decline
- Shopify's Stock Decline: Shopify's shares have fallen 40% since October, driven by slowing sales growth, rising interest rates, and potential threats from AI, although these concerns may be overstated.
- Nice Ltd's Customer Service Edge: Nice Ltd's platform facilitates over 20 billion interactions annually, and while AI accounts for only 14% of its cloud revenue, its annualized revenue has reached $345 million, indicating strong growth potential.
- Viking Therapeutics' Market Potential: Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 is in phase 3 trials and could disrupt the $200 billion obesity drug market, with analysts setting a target price of $95.40, representing a 200% upside from current levels.
- Cautious Investor Sentiment: Despite stocks remaining above late-March lows, many investors are on the sidelines due to concerns about a market pullback, particularly in the current economic climate, which challenges confidence in reinvesting.
See More
Truist Initiates Coverage on VKTX with Buy Rating and $83 Price Target
- Analyst Rating Boost: Truist has initiated coverage on Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) with a ‘Buy’ rating and an $83 price target, indicating a potential upside of 162% from current levels, reflecting strong market confidence in its growth prospects.
- Weight Loss Market Dynamics: Eli Lilly (LLY) saw its stock price climb nearly 25% over the past month, making it the strongest performer among major obesity drug stocks, highlighting investor recognition of its sustained demand for GLP-1 therapies and market leadership.
- Viking's Competitive Edge: Truist emphasized that Viking's VK2735 drug achieved a 14.7% weight loss in just 13 weeks, with patients continuing to lose weight, showcasing its differentiated competitive advantage in the obesity drug market that could attract more patients.
- Lilly's Market Expansion: Lilly recently announced deals worth up to $3.8 billion with three vaccine developers, further expanding its footprint in infectious diseases and long-term healthcare infrastructure, indicating growth potential beyond its obesity drug portfolio.
See More
Obesity Drug Market Poised for Growth
- Market Potential: The obesity drug market is projected to reach nearly $100 billion by 2030, prompting significant investor interest and confidence, which could lead to substantial stock price increases for companies in this sector.
- Viking Therapeutics Progress: Viking Therapeutics is conducting phase 3 trials for VK-2735, with promising early results suggesting potential market success; strong data could drive stock prices higher, enhancing the company's competitive position in obesity treatment.
- AbbVie's Strategic Development: AbbVie is studying a long-acting amylin analog, with early trials indicating weight loss of 7% to 9%, which could add significant growth potential to its portfolio and strengthen its market position if successfully commercialized.
- Investor Optimism: As demand for obesity drugs rises, the potential success of Viking and AbbVie may attract more investor attention, driving stock prices up, especially against a backdrop of increasing market expectations for new therapies.
See More
Weight Loss Drug Market Poised for Growth
- Market Potential: Analysts predict the weight loss drug market could reach nearly $100 billion in the coming years, attracting significant investment into pharma and biotech companies, indicating strong growth prospects in this sector.
- Viking Therapeutics Progress: Viking Therapeutics is conducting phase 3 trials for VK-2735, with promising early results suggesting it could carve out a niche in the weight loss market, and strong data could drive the stock price higher again.
- AbbVie's New Strategy: AbbVie is studying a long-acting amylin analog, with early trials showing weight loss of 7% to 9%, which could add significant growth potential to its product portfolio if successful.
- Investment Opportunity Analysis: AbbVie’s price-to-earnings ratio is currently at 15 times, down from over 24 times a few months ago, indicating substantial room for stock price appreciation, with potential for doubling in the near future.
See More
Viking Therapeutics Faces Competitive Pressures
- Intensifying Market Competition: Viking Therapeutics' weight-loss candidate VK2735 showed promising results in clinical trials, but increasing competition from new product launches by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk may impact Viking's market share significantly.
- Dramatic Stock Price Decline: Viking's stock price has plummeted from nearly $100 to below $30, reflecting investor pessimism regarding its future prospects, particularly in light of stronger competitors entering the market.
- Cash Burn Risks: With approximately $603 million in cash on hand but burning through about $114 million per quarter, Viking may face dilution risks if it fails to raise additional funds soon, further undermining investor confidence.
- Slow Clinical Progress: Although VK2735 remains in clinical trials, competitors are advancing in drug development, potentially placing Viking at a disadvantage in the market and affecting its long-term growth potential.
See More
