Viking Therapeutics

Eli Lilly's tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro and Zepbound, dominates the billion-dollar weight loss drug market, with potential to surpass Novo Nordisk in 2025. Despite competition from compounders and other biotech firms, Lilly's increased production and superior efficacy data for Zepbound versus Wegovy suggest a strong market position.

Eli Lilly's Zepbound outperformed Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in a 72-week weight-loss study, leading to 20.2% vs. 13.7% average weight loss. Zepbound showed superior results across primary and secondary endpoints, with a consistent safety profile. The data positions Zepbound as a potential new standard in obesity medications, despite inventory issues affecting sales. Lilly plans to expand production capacity and increase demand activities for Zepbound and Mounjaro, its diabetes drug.

Eli Lilly's Zepbound outperformed Novo Nordisk's Wegovy in a clinical trial, showing 47% greater relative weight loss. Zepbound targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, while Wegovy targets only GLP-1. The trial involved 751 participants, with Zepbound achieving an average 20.2% weight loss versus Wegovy's 13.7%. Lilly plans to publish more details in 2025.

Amgen's MariTide, an experimental obesity treatment, showed a 20% weight loss in trials but common side effects like nausea and vomiting limit its competitiveness. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk's next-gen drugs, potentially achieving 25% weight loss, dominate the market. MariTide's antibody-linked peptide mechanism offers durability but faces Phase III trials. Amgen's stock fell 12.3% post-report, reflecting market skepticism.

Amgen's obesity drug, MariTide, showed participants lost about 20% of their weight after one year, comparable to Eli Lilly's Zepbound. MariTide, a peptide antibody conjugate targeting GLP-1 and GIP receptors, offers longer dosing intervals and potential for greater weight loss with extended treatment. Phase 2 results indicate safety and tolerability similar to peers, with gastrointestinal issues as the most common adverse event. Amgen plans to advance MariTide to Phase 3 testing.

DelveInsight's report on Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) provides insights into historical and forecasted epidemiology, market trends, current treatment practices, emerging drugs, and market size from 2019 to 2032 in the United States, EU5, and Japan. Key companies and therapies in the NASH market are highlighted, including recent developments like Aligos Therapeutics' Phase 1 data presentation.

Morgan Stanley analyst Michael Ulz maintained a Buy rating on Akero Therapeutics (AKRO) on Nov 15, setting a $46.00 price target, citing promising Phase 2b HARMONY study results showing efruxifermin's anti-fibrotic effect in F2/3 MASH patients. Ulz anticipates upcoming SYMMETRY study results in F4 MASH as a key catalyst. Evercore ISI also assigned a Buy rating with a $38.00 price target on Nov 11.

Viking Therapeutics' stock has surged nearly 200% in 2024, raising questions about its valuation compared to other mid-cap biotechs like CRISPR Therapeutics and Axsome Therapeutics. Viking's leading candidate, VK2735, a potential dual GLP-1/GIP weight loss treatment, has shown promising phase 2 results and could generate $21.6 billion in peak sales. Despite risks, Viking's innovative pipeline and potential market impact make it a compelling investment opportunity.