We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Viking's injectable VANQUISH trials remain on track, while its oral VK2735 Phase III program is underway.
VK2735 retained up to 97% of initial weight loss with biweekly dosing and up to 90% with monthly dosing.
VKTX ended September with $960 million in cash and investments after raising about $550M in net proceeds.
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX - Free Report) emphasized progress across its obesity pipeline during its third-quarter 2026 earnings call, highlighting the advancement of four Phase III trials evaluating injectable and oral VK2735.
Management also discussed encouraging weight-maintenance data, expanded commercial preparations and a strengthened balance sheet. Analyst questions focused on clinical differentiation, regulatory opportunities and the economics of oral dosing.
Viking Advances Injectable VK2735 Trials
President and CEO Brian Lian confirmed that both Phase III VANQUISH trials remain on track, with enrollment completed across studies evaluating patients with obesity and those with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The trials assess weekly injectable VK2735 over 78 weeks. Management expects both studies to finish in 2027, with extension studies beginning in the first quarter.
Responding to a UBS analyst, Lian cautioned against cross-trial comparisons with competing treatments. He expressed confidence in VK2735's clinical profile but declined to forecast Phase III efficacy.
VKTX Launches Oral Phase III Program
Viking initiated its SUNRISE Phase III program in October, expanding VK2735 development into daily oral treatment. Both studies will assess efficacy and safety over 68 weeks.
Lian explained that the selected doses of 27.5 mg, 35 mg and 55 mg reflect efforts to reduce tablet burden while maintaining commercially attractive gross margins.
In response to Leerink Partners, he clarified that dose escalation follows four-week intervals. Management believes oral treatment could broaden patient options alongside injectable therapy.
Viking Highlights Flexible Maintenance Dosing
The VK2735 maintenance study emerged as a central discussion topic. Participants retained 83-97% of initial weight loss with every-other-week injections and 82-90% with monthly administration.
Lian emphasized that gastrointestinal adverse events during maintenance were comparable to placebo. He attributed the encouraging profile to VK2735's pharmacokinetic characteristics. Part 2 will examine transitions from weekly injections to daily oral therapy and additional injectable schedules.
Management expects results in 2027, although Lian acknowledged uncertainty around oral maintenance efficacy because of differences in drug exposure.
VKTX Addresses Regulatory and Commercial Plans
A JPMorgan analyst questioned whether maintenance findings could support differentiated FDA labeling. Lian indicated that VANQUISH extension data could support such language, subject to regulatory review.
Responding to Oppenheimer and Laidlaw analysts, he clarified that maintenance evidence would more probably support a supplemental filing rather than the initial application. The final regulatory approach remains undecided.
Viking is simultaneously expanding commercial capabilities. Lian described established leadership across market access, medical affairs and health economics, alongside recent hiring in manufacturing, supply chain and compliance. He indicated that potential commercialization remains approximately two and a half years away.
Viking Expands Its Amylin Development Strategy
Beyond VK2735, Viking expects to complete the Phase I single ascending dose study of VK3019, its dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist, by year-end.
A four-week multiple ascending dose study is planned for the first quarter of 2027. Lian emphasized tolerability, pharmacokinetics and weight-loss trajectories as important evaluation criteria.
During discussions with Jefferies, management identified potential applications both as standalone therapy and in combination with VK2735. Lian emphasized that clinical evidence will determine subsequent development decisions.
VKTX Strengthens Funding for Clinical Expansion
Chief financial officer Gregory Zante reported third-quarter research and development expenses of $166.8 million compared with $90 million a year earlier, reflecting expanding clinical and manufacturing activities.
Viking posted a loss of $1.55 per share, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a $1.00 loss. Its quarterly net loss increased to $183.2 million from $90.8 million.
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Following financing transactions generating approximately $550 million in net proceeds, Viking ended September with $960 million in cash and investments. Zante indicated average quarterly cash usage of approximately $100 million going forward, with spending varying between quarters.
Viking Maintains Focus on Execution
Management's commentary emphasized advancing late-stage clinical studies while developing differentiated dosing options and preparing for commercialization.
The call also highlighted ongoing regulatory uncertainties surrounding maintenance labeling and the importance of forthcoming clinical results in determining VK2735's commercial positioning.
What Zacks Rank and Style Scores Indicate for VKTX
VKTX currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating favorable near-term prospects based on earnings estimate revisions. However, its Value Score of D, Growth Score of F and Momentum Score of C reflect less favorable characteristics across these investment styles. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Its VGM Score of F also indicates weak combined value, growth and momentum characteristics, limiting the support provided by Style Scores despite the favorable rank. The Zacks Rank remains subject to change as analysts revise earnings estimates following the reported results.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
VKTX Q3 Earnings Call Highlights Obesity Pipeline Progress
Key Takeaways
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX - Free Report) emphasized progress across its obesity pipeline during its third-quarter 2026 earnings call, highlighting the advancement of four Phase III trials evaluating injectable and oral VK2735.
Management also discussed encouraging weight-maintenance data, expanded commercial preparations and a strengthened balance sheet. Analyst questions focused on clinical differentiation, regulatory opportunities and the economics of oral dosing.
Viking Advances Injectable VK2735 Trials
President and CEO Brian Lian confirmed that both Phase III VANQUISH trials remain on track, with enrollment completed across studies evaluating patients with obesity and those with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The trials assess weekly injectable VK2735 over 78 weeks. Management expects both studies to finish in 2027, with extension studies beginning in the first quarter.
Responding to a UBS analyst, Lian cautioned against cross-trial comparisons with competing treatments. He expressed confidence in VK2735's clinical profile but declined to forecast Phase III efficacy.
VKTX Launches Oral Phase III Program
Viking initiated its SUNRISE Phase III program in October, expanding VK2735 development into daily oral treatment. Both studies will assess efficacy and safety over 68 weeks.
Lian explained that the selected doses of 27.5 mg, 35 mg and 55 mg reflect efforts to reduce tablet burden while maintaining commercially attractive gross margins.
In response to Leerink Partners, he clarified that dose escalation follows four-week intervals. Management believes oral treatment could broaden patient options alongside injectable therapy.
Viking Highlights Flexible Maintenance Dosing
The VK2735 maintenance study emerged as a central discussion topic. Participants retained 83-97% of initial weight loss with every-other-week injections and 82-90% with monthly administration.
Lian emphasized that gastrointestinal adverse events during maintenance were comparable to placebo. He attributed the encouraging profile to VK2735's pharmacokinetic characteristics.
Part 2 will examine transitions from weekly injections to daily oral therapy and additional injectable schedules.
Management expects results in 2027, although Lian acknowledged uncertainty around oral maintenance efficacy because of differences in drug exposure.
VKTX Addresses Regulatory and Commercial Plans
A JPMorgan analyst questioned whether maintenance findings could support differentiated FDA labeling. Lian indicated that VANQUISH extension data could support such language, subject to regulatory review.
Responding to Oppenheimer and Laidlaw analysts, he clarified that maintenance evidence would more probably support a supplemental filing rather than the initial application. The final regulatory approach remains undecided.
Viking is simultaneously expanding commercial capabilities. Lian described established leadership across market access, medical affairs and health economics, alongside recent hiring in manufacturing, supply chain and compliance. He indicated that potential commercialization remains approximately two and a half years away.
Viking Expands Its Amylin Development Strategy
Beyond VK2735, Viking expects to complete the Phase I single ascending dose study of VK3019, its dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist, by year-end.
A four-week multiple ascending dose study is planned for the first quarter of 2027. Lian emphasized tolerability, pharmacokinetics and weight-loss trajectories as important evaluation criteria.
During discussions with Jefferies, management identified potential applications both as standalone therapy and in combination with VK2735. Lian emphasized that clinical evidence will determine subsequent development decisions.
VKTX Strengthens Funding for Clinical Expansion
Chief financial officer Gregory Zante reported third-quarter research and development expenses of $166.8 million compared with $90 million a year earlier, reflecting expanding clinical and manufacturing activities.
Viking posted a loss of $1.55 per share, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a $1.00 loss. Its quarterly net loss increased to $183.2 million from $90.8 million.
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Viking Therapeutics, Inc. Quote
Following financing transactions generating approximately $550 million in net proceeds, Viking ended September with $960 million in cash and investments. Zante indicated average quarterly cash usage of approximately $100 million going forward, with spending varying between quarters.
Viking Maintains Focus on Execution
Management's commentary emphasized advancing late-stage clinical studies while developing differentiated dosing options and preparing for commercialization.
The call also highlighted ongoing regulatory uncertainties surrounding maintenance labeling and the importance of forthcoming clinical results in determining VK2735's commercial positioning.
What Zacks Rank and Style Scores Indicate for VKTX
VKTX currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating favorable near-term prospects based on earnings estimate revisions. However, its Value Score of D, Growth Score of F and Momentum Score of C reflect less favorable characteristics across these investment styles. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Its VGM Score of F also indicates weak combined value, growth and momentum characteristics, limiting the support provided by Style Scores despite the favorable rank. The Zacks Rank remains subject to change as analysts revise earnings estimates following the reported results.