The stock price of Viking, a weight-loss company, has surged by 1000% in the past four months!
Viking's new weight loss miracle drug can help you lose 29 pounds in just over 3 months! However, the company has had zero revenue in recent years.
Viking Therapeutics (VKTX), a hot stock in the weight loss sector, surged by 121% overnight to $85 per share.
The positive clinical trial data for the weight loss drug VK2735 released by the company has been the driving force behind this surge. VK2735 is a GLP-1/GIP dual agonist, and the data shows that participants in the 15mg group lost an average of 14.6 kilograms after 13 weeks of treatment, with no significant rebound during the weight loss process.
The company's stock price has nearly increased tenfold since hitting its low point in October:
It is worth noting that the company has had zero revenue in recent years.
Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) stated on Tuesday that its experimental weight loss therapy showed a decrease in weight for all doses compared to a placebo in a mid-term trial.
According to the company, the 13-week study enrolled 176 obese or overweight adults with at least one weight-related comorbidity.
The company stated that patients receiving treatment once a week lost about 15% of their weight after 13 weeks compared to baseline, with a 13% weight loss after adjusting for the placebo. The data shows that up to 88% of treated patients lost at least 10% of their weight, while the placebo rate was 4%.
CEO Brian said, "After 13 weeks of repeated dosing in obese subjects, VK2735 continues to demonstrate encouraging efficacy and tolerability." "It is noteworthy that significant weight loss compared to the placebo was observed early in all doses evaluated in the Venture study, and weight loss was sustained throughout the entire treatment period in all treatment groups."
The company stated that the study also indicated that VK2735 is safe, with "good tolerability," and most adverse events reported were mild or moderate, with only 23 patients discontinuing treatment. One patient experienced a severe adverse event of dehydration related to the study drug. There is no evidence that any dose of VK2735 was stagnant at week 13, indicating that extending the dosing period "may further reduce weight."
The company plans to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss the next steps in developing VK2735. Data from the first phase study of VK2735 oral formulation is expected to be released later in the first quarter.
It is worth mentioning that stocks related to weight loss concepts have recently seen impressive gains:
Eli Lilly has surged by over 30% in the past three months, with its stock price rising for four consecutive quarters. With a market value exceeding $700 billion, it ranks eighth in the world.
Novo Nordisk has seen a more than 18% increase in the past three months, with its stock price rising for six consecutive quarters. The stock price has increased by nearly 150%, and its market value exceeds $500 billion.Both companies' recent earnings reports have exceeded expectations, indicating a strong demand in the weight-loss drug market. They are both expanding their production capacity to meet market needs.
The popularity of weight-loss drugs has attracted other pharmaceutical companies to enter the industry, with VKTX being one of them. Goldman Sachs predicts that by 2030, the global weight-loss drug market could grow to $100 billion.