Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX)

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 1.32%) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN -1.45%) have faced challenges this year that have sunk their stock prices. The former is down by 37% this year, while the latter has declined 17%.

Viking's oral VK2735 efficacy was strong, but tolerability issues and high discontinuation rates cloud its competitive edge in the obesity drug market. The market's perception of Viking shifted after the data, with the company now seen as a respectable contender but no longer a clear frontrunner. A buyout is more likely now, as the oral program's value is clearer; Eli Lilly and others could be interested, but Novo Nordisk likely is not.

Shares in Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 1.13%) crashed by 35.9% in the week to Friday morning. The decline comes in a week when the company released its top-line results from its phase 2 trial of its lead drug VK2735 (oral dosing) for weight loss.

Viking Therapeutics stock sinks after mixed results from its obesity pill trial, raising doubts over safety, tolerability and future prospects.

As of Aug. 20, shares of Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 5.71%) fell a whopping 39.2% from their previous close on Tuesday, Aug. 19. Investors were reacting to new clinical trial results regarding its oral obesity candidate, tentatively named VK2735.

Viking Therapeutics' stock plunged over 40% after misunderstood Phase 2 oral weight-loss drug data, despite results showing strong short-term efficacy versus market leaders. The Phase 2 trial demonstrated 12.2% weight loss in 13 weeks, with progressive results and potential for further improvement with longer dosing periods. Concerns over high discontinuation and GI side effects are noted, but these issues are manageable and expected to be addressed in Phase 3 studies.

Shares of Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 7.18%) rose by almost 10% at 11 a.m. ET today. This follows a significant fall the previous day on the release of its eagerly awaited top-line results from a phase 2 trial of its weight loss drug VK2735 in oral form.

VKTX shares plunge after mixed obesity pill study data shows weight loss success but high dropout rates.

When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX) fell 42% on August 19, 2025, after Phase 2 results for its oral obesity pill VK2735 disappointed investors. The oral formulation led to up to 12.2% weight loss over three months, a weaker outcome versus late-stage treatments from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Shares in Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) ended a bloody session 42% lower after the US biotech released trial data on its experimental obesity pill that underwhelmed investors. The phase two results showed patients lost up to 12.2 % of body weight after three months on the treatment, VK2735.

Viking Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: VKTX) reported new clinical data for its oral obesity drug – sending shares sharply lower as investors balked at tolerability concerns and dropout rates.   The Phase 2 trial showed promising weight loss results, but a 28% discontinuation rate in the first three months triggered fears about long-term viability.

Mizuho's Jared Holz joins 'Fast Money' to talk Viking Therapeutics' massive stock drop on new obesity pill data.

Investors appear disappointed with Viking Therapeutics Inc.'s VKTX data from its Phase 2 trial of an obesity pill.

Justin Zelin, BTIG senior biotech analyst, joins 'The Exchange' to discuss GLP-1's and the share decline for Viking Therapeutics and why he's still bullish the stock.

CNBC's Angelica Peebles joins 'Money Movers' to discuss Viking Therapy shares plummeting on new obesity drug data.