Viking Therapeutics

Sagimet Biosciences' SGMT stock rose 12.6% after FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation to denifanstat for treating MASH, a severe liver disease. Denifanstat, an oral pill, showed significant fibrosis reduction and delay in cirrhosis progression in phase IIb study. Sagimet plans to initiate phase III program by end of 2024. Currently, Madrigal Pharmaceuticals' Rezdiffra is the only approved MASH treatment.

Pharma companies like Novo Nordisk, Viking Therapeutics, Amgen, CRISPR Therapeutics, and Moderna are set to announce clinical trial results for next-gen weight loss drugs, cancer and autoimmune therapies, and potential new products beyond COVID-19 vaccines by year-end.

Kailera Therapeutics, backed by $400 million, aims to develop next-gen obesity drugs targeting GLP-1 and GIP, similar to Eli Lilly's Zepbound. Kailera's lead drug, KAI-9531, showed promising Phase 2 results in China, with 53.1% of patients losing 15%+ body weight at the highest dose. The company's pipeline includes oral therapies and a triple-target injectable drug, positioning it competitively in the metabolic disorder treatment field.

Kailera Therapeutics, backed by Atlas Venture, Bain Capital, RTW Investments, and Lyra Capital, emerges with a $400M Series A to develop GLP-1 drugs for obesity and metabolic conditions. Acquired from Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, KAI-9531, targeting GLP-1 and GIP receptors, is in clinical trials for obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Led by CEO Ron Renaud and board chair John Milligan, Kailera aims to advance next-generation treatments for chronic weight management.

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) is advancing VK2735, an obesity treatment, to phase 3 trials, with an FDA meeting expected by year-end. The weight loss drug market is booming, with global sales reaching $24 billion in 2022, projected to hit $150 billion by the 2030s. Viking is also developing an oral form of VK2735 and other treatments for liver disease and a rare neurodegenerative condition. The stock is considered a strong buy.

The weight-loss drug market is booming, with Viking Therapeutics emerging as a contender. VKTX stock is attracting billionaire investors and analysts predict significant gains. Viking's VK2735, a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist, is set to skip to Phase 3, challenging industry giants like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) is a biotech company with growth potential, despite being targeted by short sellers. With a 265.04% year-to-date performance and 15.5% short interest, VKTX is developing an oral obesity drug that could compete with major pharma companies. Despite a net loss of $49.6 million in Q2, 50 hedge funds hold a $479.1 million stake in VKTX, highlighting its potential. VKTX ranks 1st on a list of worst booming stocks to buy according to short sellers, but AI stocks are considered more promising for high returns.

Viking Therapeutics' CEO, Brian Lian, Ph.D., to speak at Morgan Stanley 22nd Annual Global Healthcare Conference in NYC, Sept. 4-6, 2024.