Lilly's strong Q2, GLP-1 momentum and broad pipeline support growth, but valuation and rising competition remain key risks.

They are fairly risky, but their potential upside is massive.

Eli Lilly leads the GLP-1 market and could remain on top thanks to a deep pipeline. Viking Therapeutics' leading GLP-1 candidate looks very promising.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VKTX) by 18.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 542,516 shares of the biotechnology company's stock after buying an additional 82,941 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) maintains a Hold rating as competitive pressures intensify in the GLP-1 obesity drug space and key data catalysts approach. VKTX's lead asset VK2735 is in large Phase 3 VANQUISH trials, but efficacy expectations are high, and prior data is limited to a small, short Phase 2 study. A pivotal Q3 catalyst is the maintenance dosing study for VK2735; results could drive price volatility and influence funding needs amid high cash burn.

In a slow news month for the company, investors focused on the cost of its phase 3 trials rather than their benefits.

Viking Therapeutics beats second-quarter loss estimates as it advances late-stage obesity studies despite sharply higher R&D spending tied to its expanding pipeline.

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Viking Therapeutics NASDAQ: VKTX reported a wider second-quarter loss as the company increased spending to advance its obesity pipeline, including its lead dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, VK2735, through Phase III development in injectable and planned oral formulations.

Conference call scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET today -- Phase 3 VANQUISH 1 & 2 Trials for Subcutaneous VK2735 in Obesity Fully Enrolled and Advancing -- -- Oral Phase 3 VK2735 Trial Initiation Expected 4Q26 -- -- VK2735 Maintenance Dosing Data Expected 3Q26 -- -- Phase 1 Study of Amylin Agonist VK3019 Underway -- -- Strong Quarter-End Cash Position of $502 Million -- SAN DIEGO, July 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (Viking) (Nasdaq: VKTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, today announced its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2026, and provided an update on its clinical pipeline and other corporate developments.