Viking Therapeutics, a biotechnology firm, is currently commanding significant market attention following a key development in its clinical program. The company has successfully completed patient enrollment for its pivotal Phase 3 trial, VANQUISH-1, ahead of schedule and with a larger cohort than initially targeted.
Financial Backing and Analyst Sentiment
The confidence of professional investors remains strong. On December 3, 2025, Scotia Capital Inc. purchased an additional 42,134 shares. Institutional investors and hedge funds now collectively hold approximately 76% of the company’s equity.
Wall Street’s outlook is predominantly positive. Sixteen analysts covering the stock maintain an average rating equivalent to “Moderate Buy.” The median 12-month price target falls within the range of $87 to $93. Canaccord Genuity presents a notably bullish stance with a “Buy” recommendation and a $107 price target, while Morgan Stanley rates the shares as “Overweight” with a $102 target.
A Closer Look at the VANQUISH-1 Trial
The company announced the completion of patient recruitment for the VANQUISH-1 study on November 19, 2025. This critical trial has enrolled roughly 4,650 adults living with obesity, a figure that exceeds the original goal.
Trial Design:
* Duration: A 78-week regimen administering VK2735 subcutaneously.
* Participants: Adults with a BMI of 30 or greater, or those with a BMI of 27 or greater who also have weight-related comorbidities.
* Dosing: Weekly injections of 7.5 mg, 12.5 mg, or 17.5 mg, alongside a placebo group.
* Extension: An optional 52-week continuation phase is part of the study design.
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This progress is bolstered by prior Phase 2 VENTURE study results for VK2735, a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist. That earlier trial demonstrated weight reduction of up to 14.7% without evidence of a plateau effect. The company’s VANQUISH-2 study for patients with type 2 diabetes is already underway and is expected to conclude in the first quarter of 2026.
Financial Health: Sustained Investment in Development
Viking Therapeutics reported a net loss of $90.8 million for the third quarter of 2025. This period saw research and development expenses surge to $90 million, a substantial increase from the $22.8 million spent in the same quarter the previous year.
Despite these significant R&D expenditures, the company’s financial position is robust. As of September 30, 2025, Viking Therapeutics held $715 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments, providing a solid foundation for its advanced clinical programs.
Driven by these developments surrounding VK2735, the company’s share price has advanced approximately 34% over the preceding three months.
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