Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) Faces Challenges, Analysts Set Price Target of $93.39, Potential Upside of 175%
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 21 2026
0mins
Should l Buy VKTX?
Source: Fool
- Slow Clinical Progress: Viking Therapeutics has made little clinical progress over the past year, leading to poor stock performance, with shares lagging behind the S&P 500 over the trailing 12 months, indicating market concerns about its future development.
- Analyst Optimism: Despite challenges, analysts have set an average price target of $93.39 for Viking, implying a potential upside of 175% from current levels, reflecting confidence in the company's future products.
- Key Trials Ahead: Viking's leading candidate VK2735 is currently in a 78-week phase 3 study, expected to be a significant event for the company in the coming years, with strong results potentially leading to a rapid stock price increase, although full results are not expected until 2027.
- Diversified Pipeline Development: Viking is also conducting a maintenance study for VK2735, testing various administration methods, demonstrating the company's forward-thinking approach to addressing weight management market needs, although short-term stock price movements may not be substantial.
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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: 31.100
Low
70.00
Averages
97.00
High
125.00
Current: 31.100
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.
Viking Therapeutics Nears Completion of GLP-1 Weight Loss Drug Development
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 is currently in phase 3 trials as a GLP-1 weight loss drug, which is expected to gain FDA approval, thereby laying the groundwork for future revenue growth for the company.
- Massive Market Potential: The global GLP-1 weight loss drug market is projected to grow from $8.2 billion last year to over $66 billion by 2035, and with Viking's market cap under $4 billion, capturing even a small share could significantly boost its stock price.
- Competitive Advantage: VK2735 shows better tolerability compared to other similar drugs, leading to higher long-term user adherence despite similar efficacy, which provides a favorable condition for its market competitiveness.
- Acquisition Potential: Analyst Justin Zelin from BTIG suggests that Viking could be a target for acquisition by larger pharmaceutical companies looking to enter the weight loss drug market, adding extra strategic value for investors.
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- Clinical Trial Progress: The company anticipates releasing results from various clinical trials, including zugo-cel for autoimmune diseases and CTX310 for heart disease, which could bolster market confidence and potentially elevate stock prices.
- Viking's Promising Therapy: Viking Therapeutics is advancing VK2735 through late-stage clinical trials, with both injectable and oral forms expected to enter the market, targeting the nearly $100 billion obesity drug market, with analysts predicting a potential 200% stock price increase.
- Significant Market Potential: As GLP-1 drugs gain popularity, Viking's VK2735 is poised to capture substantial market share amid rising global demand for weight loss medications, offering early investors the prospect of substantial returns.
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Viking Therapeutics Stock Price Potential Analysis
- Optimistic Market Expectations: Analysts set a consensus price target of $92.94 for Viking Therapeutics, over 200% above its current price, with BTIG's Justin Zelin suggesting a value of $125, indicating a potential upside of more than 300%, reflecting strong market confidence in its future.
- Drug Development Progress: Viking's lead drug VK2735 is currently in phase 3 trials as a weight loss treatment, and its superior tolerability results in significantly better patient adherence compared to other GLP-1 weight loss options, enhancing the likelihood of FDA approval.
- Massive Market Opportunity: The global GLP-1 weight loss drug market is projected to grow from $8.2 billion last year to over $66 billion by 2035, and with Viking's market cap under $4 billion, capturing even a small share of this market could justify a much higher stock price, potentially reaching BTIG's target.
- Acquisition Potential: BTIG analysts suggest that Viking could be an acquisition target for larger pharmaceutical companies looking to enter the weight loss drug market, and despite competition from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, its unique drug characteristics may still attract investor interest.
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Viking Therapeutics Targets Weight Loss Drug Market Growth
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking Therapeutics is advancing its VK2735 candidate in a phase 3 trial for the injectable format while planning to initiate a phase 3 trial for the oral format in Q3 this year, marking a proactive approach in the weight loss drug market that could establish a competitive foundation for future growth.
- Significant Market Potential: Analysts project that the obesity drug market could reach nearly $100 billion by 2030, providing ample growth opportunities for newcomers like Viking, especially as demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to rise.
- Diversified Product Pipeline: Viking plans to file a request to initiate clinical trials for another dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist in Q1, demonstrating the company's strategy to diversify its weight loss drug development to cater to various patient needs.
- Investment Risk Consideration: While Viking's candidate shows promising data, investors should cautiously assess risks since the company has no products on the market yet, and uncertainty may persist until clinical trial outcomes are confirmed.
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- Mixed Industry Results: Automakers reported mixed earnings, with some industrial stocks outperforming the broader market; however, overall equity demand remains capped, indicating a growing risk-off sentiment among investors.
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Viking Therapeutics Nears Completion of GLP-1 Weight Loss Drug Development
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 is currently in phase 3 trials as a GLP-1 weight loss drug, which is expected to gain FDA approval, thereby laying the groundwork for future revenue growth for the company.
- Massive Market Potential: The global GLP-1 weight loss drug market is projected to grow from $8.2 billion last year to over $66 billion by 2035, and with Viking's market cap under $4 billion, capturing even a small share could significantly boost its stock price.
- Competitive Advantage: VK2735 shows better tolerability compared to other similar drugs, leading to higher long-term user adherence despite similar efficacy, which provides a favorable condition for its market competitiveness.
- Acquisition Potential: Analyst Justin Zelin from BTIG suggests that Viking could be a target for acquisition by larger pharmaceutical companies looking to enter the weight loss drug market, adding extra strategic value for investors.
See More
Biotech Stocks with High Growth Potential
- CRISPR Breakthrough: CRISPR Therapeutics received approval for its first gene editing treatment, Casgevy, in 2023, marking a significant milestone as the world's first CRISPR therapy, generating $116 million in revenue in 2022, with expectations for a 58% stock price increase over the next 12 months.
- Clinical Trial Progress: The company anticipates releasing results from various clinical trials, including zugo-cel for autoimmune diseases and CTX310 for heart disease, which could bolster market confidence and potentially elevate stock prices.
- Viking's Promising Therapy: Viking Therapeutics is advancing VK2735 through late-stage clinical trials, with both injectable and oral forms expected to enter the market, targeting the nearly $100 billion obesity drug market, with analysts predicting a potential 200% stock price increase.
- Significant Market Potential: As GLP-1 drugs gain popularity, Viking's VK2735 is poised to capture substantial market share amid rising global demand for weight loss medications, offering early investors the prospect of substantial returns.
See More
Viking Therapeutics Stock Price Potential Analysis
- Optimistic Market Expectations: Analysts set a consensus price target of $92.94 for Viking Therapeutics, over 200% above its current price, with BTIG's Justin Zelin suggesting a value of $125, indicating a potential upside of more than 300%, reflecting strong market confidence in its future.
- Drug Development Progress: Viking's lead drug VK2735 is currently in phase 3 trials as a weight loss treatment, and its superior tolerability results in significantly better patient adherence compared to other GLP-1 weight loss options, enhancing the likelihood of FDA approval.
- Massive Market Opportunity: The global GLP-1 weight loss drug market is projected to grow from $8.2 billion last year to over $66 billion by 2035, and with Viking's market cap under $4 billion, capturing even a small share of this market could justify a much higher stock price, potentially reaching BTIG's target.
- Acquisition Potential: BTIG analysts suggest that Viking could be an acquisition target for larger pharmaceutical companies looking to enter the weight loss drug market, and despite competition from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, its unique drug characteristics may still attract investor interest.
See More
Viking Therapeutics Targets Weight Loss Drug Market Growth
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking Therapeutics is advancing its VK2735 candidate in a phase 3 trial for the injectable format while planning to initiate a phase 3 trial for the oral format in Q3 this year, marking a proactive approach in the weight loss drug market that could establish a competitive foundation for future growth.
- Significant Market Potential: Analysts project that the obesity drug market could reach nearly $100 billion by 2030, providing ample growth opportunities for newcomers like Viking, especially as demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to rise.
- Diversified Product Pipeline: Viking plans to file a request to initiate clinical trials for another dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist in Q1, demonstrating the company's strategy to diversify its weight loss drug development to cater to various patient needs.
- Investment Risk Consideration: While Viking's candidate shows promising data, investors should cautiously assess risks since the company has no products on the market yet, and uncertainty may persist until clinical trial outcomes are confirmed.
See More
U.S. Markets Volatile as Investor Sentiment Turns Cautious
- Positive Job Data: Recent U.S. employment figures indicate a rise in new jobs, and while inflation eases, the overall market remains volatile, reflecting investor concerns about future economic prospects that could impact stock performance.
- Mixed Industry Results: Automakers reported mixed earnings, with some industrial stocks outperforming the broader market; however, overall equity demand remains capped, indicating a growing risk-off sentiment among investors.
- AI Panic Trade: The launch of a new freight efficiency platform by an AI firm has spooked markets, leading to sharp declines in traditionally resilient trucking and logistics stocks, as fears grow over the vulnerability of labor-intensive business models to automation.
- Real Estate Impacted: The real estate sector and other old-economy industries have also been hit, as traders express unease over potential AI-driven disruptions, further exacerbating market uncertainty.
See More
Doseology Sciences Launches New Energy Product Line
- Market Trend Analysis: The global health and wellness sector is projected to reach $6 trillion in consumer spending by 2026, driven by rising demand for functional products, compelling companies to adapt to the FDA's updated 'Healthy' labeling framework to meet market needs.
- New Product Launch: Doseology Sciences launched caffeine-based energy pouches in January 2026, marking the entry of its Feed That Brain brand into the rapidly growing oral pouch market, utilizing a sugar-free, non-carbonated, portable design to cater to consumer demand for healthier alternatives.
- Strategic Acquisition: Doseology acquired the Feed That Brain brand for $400,000 in August 2025, enhancing its competitive edge in the functional product space, while also appointing Joseph Mimran as a strategic advisor to further bolster brand influence.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: The global energy drinks market is expected to grow from $79.4 billion in 2024 to $125.1 billion by 2030, indicating strong market demand, and Doseology's product innovations align perfectly with this trend, likely driving future company growth.
See More
