Novo Nordisk's Weight-Loss Drug Fails in Trials, Boosts Viking Therapeutics
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 23 2026
0mins
Should l Buy VKTX?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Clinical Trial Results: Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug CagriSema failed to meet critical goals in late-stage trials, with users losing an average of only 23% of their body weight over 84 weeks compared to Eli Lilly's tirzepatide at 25.5%, posing challenges for FDA approval and potentially impacting market share.
- Shifting Competitive Landscape: Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 has gained more market opportunities due to Novo Nordisk's setback, with VKTX shares rising 9.6%, reflecting investor optimism about its future potential, especially as the weight-loss drug market matures.
- Growing Market Demand: As the weight-loss drug industry matures, there is increasing demand for more finely tuned options; Viking's VK2735 showed superior efficacy in phase 2 trials, and while not yet FDA-approved, its safety and tolerability may attract more patients.
- Investor Attention: Although Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 has not yet received FDA approval, its potential in the weight-loss market has garnered investor interest; however, the analyst team has not included it in the current best stock picks, advising investors to carefully assess risks.
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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: 33.840
Low
70.00
Averages
97.00
High
125.00
Current: 33.840
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: A Major Player in the Weight Loss Arena
Current Market Dynamics: The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing a significant shift with a demand for new players to disrupt the dominance of established companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in obesity treatments, creating opportunities for agile competitors like Viking Therapeutics.
Viking's Competitive Edge: Viking Therapeutics has emerged as a leading challenger in the obesity treatment market, with its primary asset, VK2735, showing promising results in clinical trials, including significant weight loss outcomes.
Strategic Developments: Viking is strategically positioning itself for potential acquisition while simultaneously building its infrastructure for independent operations, highlighted by recent key appointments and partnerships to enhance its manufacturing capabilities.
Investment Outlook: Despite current losses and skepticism in the market, Viking's strong cash reserves and advanced clinical data present a compelling investment opportunity, with analysts suggesting significant upside potential if the company successfully executes its roadmap.
See More
Eli Lilly Strengthens Lead in Weight Loss Drug Market
- Market Share Leadership: Eli Lilly currently holds a 60% share of the U.S. weight loss drug market, surpassing Novo Nordisk's offerings, demonstrating strong competitiveness in this rapidly growing sector and likely driving further revenue growth.
- Clinical Trial Advantage: In the latest clinical trial, Lilly's Zepbound helped patients lose over 25% of their weight over 84 weeks, compared to only 23% for Novo's CagriSema, indicating superior efficacy and solidifying its market leadership.
- Convenience Enhancement: Lilly's newly released Zepbound format holds a month's worth of doses in a single pen, improving medication convenience for patients, especially while traveling, which is expected to enhance patient adherence and market appeal.
- Broad Market Outlook: Analysts expect the weight loss drug market to reach nearly $100 billion over the next four years, with Lilly's new drug orforglipron and other potential products poised to drive further growth, despite facing challenges from competitors like Novo Nordisk.
See More
Eli Lilly's Dominance in the GLP-1 Market
- Market Share Growth: Eli Lilly has captured a 60% share of the U.S. GLP-1 drug market, surpassing Novo Nordisk, which indicates strong competitive positioning in the weight loss drug sector and is expected to drive further revenue growth.
- Clinical Trial Superiority: In the latest clinical trials, Lilly's Zepbound outperformed Novo Nordisk's CagriSema, with a 15mg dosage of tirzepatide resulting in over 25% weight loss over 84 weeks, providing robust support for Lilly's market position.
- Convenience Innovation: Lilly's new Zepbound format, which holds a month's worth of doses, enhances patient convenience, particularly during travel, and is expected to improve patient adherence, thereby boosting sales.
- Expansive Market Outlook: Analysts project the GLP-1 market to reach nearly $100 billion in the next four years, with Lilly's orforglipron and other potential drugs likely to drive further growth, despite facing challenges from Novo Nordisk and other competitors.
See More
Investment Opportunities in the Weight Loss Drug Market
- Market Potential: An estimated 277 obesity drug candidates are in development as of mid-2025, indicating strong market demand despite the likelihood that most will not gain approval, thus attracting investor interest.
- Viking Therapeutics' Edge: Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 is currently in phase 3 clinical trials, significantly increasing the probability of success compared to earlier-stage candidates, and successful approval could greatly enhance the company's competitive position in the market.
- Diverse Development Strategy: Viking is developing VK2735 in both subcutaneous and oral formulations while exploring various combinations to help patients maintain weight loss, a critical challenge in the pharmaceutical industry that underscores their innovative approach.
- Risk and Reward: While Viking's stock could soar in the coming years, clinical or regulatory setbacks could also lead to significant declines, suggesting that investors should only consider a $5,000 investment if they possess above-average risk tolerance.
See More
Viking Therapeutics Shows Strong Mid-Stage Data for VK2735
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 has entered phase 3 clinical trials, with strong mid-stage data indicating its potential in the weight-loss drug market, and successful approval could significantly enhance the company's market value.
- Market Competition Analysis: Despite increasing competition in the weight-loss drug market, Viking's diversified development strategy positions it well for a niche over the next decade, particularly with the development of VK2735 in both subcutaneous and oral formulations.
- Investment Risks and Returns: Investors willing to take risks by putting $5,000 into Viking Therapeutics could see substantial returns over the next decade, especially if the company successfully launches VK2735.
- Industry Outlook: As of mid-2025, 277 obesity drug candidates are in development, with most unlikely to gain approval; however, VK2735's success would significantly enhance Viking's competitiveness in the rapidly growing weight-loss drug market.
See More
Viking Therapeutics Could Be a Weight-Loss Drug Moon Shot
- Market Potential: An estimated 277 obesity drug candidates are in development as of mid-2025, indicating strong market demand despite the high failure rate, positioning Viking Therapeutics in a rapidly growing sector.
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking's VK2735 has entered phase 3 clinical trials, with strong mid-stage results significantly increasing its chances of approval, which could lead to substantial financial returns for the company.
- Diverse Development Strategy: VK2735 is being developed in both subcutaneous and oral formulations, exploring various combinations to help patients maintain weight loss, a critical challenge in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Investment Risks and Opportunities: While Viking faces clinical and regulatory hurdles, successful phase 3 results could lead to significant stock growth over the next decade, appealing to investors with above-average risk tolerance.
See More
Viking Therapeutics: A Major Player in the Weight Loss Arena
Current Market Dynamics: The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing a significant shift with a demand for new players to disrupt the dominance of established companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in obesity treatments, creating opportunities for agile competitors like Viking Therapeutics.
Viking's Competitive Edge: Viking Therapeutics has emerged as a leading challenger in the obesity treatment market, with its primary asset, VK2735, showing promising results in clinical trials, including significant weight loss outcomes.
Strategic Developments: Viking is strategically positioning itself for potential acquisition while simultaneously building its infrastructure for independent operations, highlighted by recent key appointments and partnerships to enhance its manufacturing capabilities.
Investment Outlook: Despite current losses and skepticism in the market, Viking's strong cash reserves and advanced clinical data present a compelling investment opportunity, with analysts suggesting significant upside potential if the company successfully executes its roadmap.
See More
Eli Lilly Strengthens Lead in Weight Loss Drug Market
- Market Share Leadership: Eli Lilly currently holds a 60% share of the U.S. weight loss drug market, surpassing Novo Nordisk's offerings, demonstrating strong competitiveness in this rapidly growing sector and likely driving further revenue growth.
- Clinical Trial Advantage: In the latest clinical trial, Lilly's Zepbound helped patients lose over 25% of their weight over 84 weeks, compared to only 23% for Novo's CagriSema, indicating superior efficacy and solidifying its market leadership.
- Convenience Enhancement: Lilly's newly released Zepbound format holds a month's worth of doses in a single pen, improving medication convenience for patients, especially while traveling, which is expected to enhance patient adherence and market appeal.
- Broad Market Outlook: Analysts expect the weight loss drug market to reach nearly $100 billion over the next four years, with Lilly's new drug orforglipron and other potential products poised to drive further growth, despite facing challenges from competitors like Novo Nordisk.
See More
Eli Lilly's Dominance in the GLP-1 Market
- Market Share Growth: Eli Lilly has captured a 60% share of the U.S. GLP-1 drug market, surpassing Novo Nordisk, which indicates strong competitive positioning in the weight loss drug sector and is expected to drive further revenue growth.
- Clinical Trial Superiority: In the latest clinical trials, Lilly's Zepbound outperformed Novo Nordisk's CagriSema, with a 15mg dosage of tirzepatide resulting in over 25% weight loss over 84 weeks, providing robust support for Lilly's market position.
- Convenience Innovation: Lilly's new Zepbound format, which holds a month's worth of doses, enhances patient convenience, particularly during travel, and is expected to improve patient adherence, thereby boosting sales.
- Expansive Market Outlook: Analysts project the GLP-1 market to reach nearly $100 billion in the next four years, with Lilly's orforglipron and other potential drugs likely to drive further growth, despite facing challenges from Novo Nordisk and other competitors.
See More
Investment Opportunities in the Weight Loss Drug Market
- Market Potential: An estimated 277 obesity drug candidates are in development as of mid-2025, indicating strong market demand despite the likelihood that most will not gain approval, thus attracting investor interest.
- Viking Therapeutics' Edge: Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 is currently in phase 3 clinical trials, significantly increasing the probability of success compared to earlier-stage candidates, and successful approval could greatly enhance the company's competitive position in the market.
- Diverse Development Strategy: Viking is developing VK2735 in both subcutaneous and oral formulations while exploring various combinations to help patients maintain weight loss, a critical challenge in the pharmaceutical industry that underscores their innovative approach.
- Risk and Reward: While Viking's stock could soar in the coming years, clinical or regulatory setbacks could also lead to significant declines, suggesting that investors should only consider a $5,000 investment if they possess above-average risk tolerance.
See More
Viking Therapeutics Shows Strong Mid-Stage Data for VK2735
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking Therapeutics' VK2735 has entered phase 3 clinical trials, with strong mid-stage data indicating its potential in the weight-loss drug market, and successful approval could significantly enhance the company's market value.
- Market Competition Analysis: Despite increasing competition in the weight-loss drug market, Viking's diversified development strategy positions it well for a niche over the next decade, particularly with the development of VK2735 in both subcutaneous and oral formulations.
- Investment Risks and Returns: Investors willing to take risks by putting $5,000 into Viking Therapeutics could see substantial returns over the next decade, especially if the company successfully launches VK2735.
- Industry Outlook: As of mid-2025, 277 obesity drug candidates are in development, with most unlikely to gain approval; however, VK2735's success would significantly enhance Viking's competitiveness in the rapidly growing weight-loss drug market.
See More
Viking Therapeutics Could Be a Weight-Loss Drug Moon Shot
- Market Potential: An estimated 277 obesity drug candidates are in development as of mid-2025, indicating strong market demand despite the high failure rate, positioning Viking Therapeutics in a rapidly growing sector.
- Clinical Trial Progress: Viking's VK2735 has entered phase 3 clinical trials, with strong mid-stage results significantly increasing its chances of approval, which could lead to substantial financial returns for the company.
- Diverse Development Strategy: VK2735 is being developed in both subcutaneous and oral formulations, exploring various combinations to help patients maintain weight loss, a critical challenge in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Investment Risks and Opportunities: While Viking faces clinical and regulatory hurdles, successful phase 3 results could lead to significant stock growth over the next decade, appealing to investors with above-average risk tolerance.
See More
