Viking Therapeutics Advances Obesity Pipeline – Analysts See Price Target at $93.60

Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) closed at $37.99 on June 29, 2026, marking a slight decline of 0.13 percent from the previous day. On June 30, the US biotech company's stock traded at $39.01. The company focuses on developing novel therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders, with particular emphasis on two obesity candidates.

Phase 3 Start for VK2735 Planned for 2026

Viking Therapeutics is advancing its obesity candidate VK2735. According to company guidance from May 17, 2026, the Phase 3 development initiation for VK2735 is planned for later this year. VK2735 is an orally available GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight reduction. The costly Phase 3 development contributed to a higher-than-expected loss in the first quarter of 2026, as the company reported in May.

In addition to VK2735, Viking Therapeutics is gaining momentum in the obesity market with the newer drug candidate VK3019. According to guidance from June 30, 2026, positive study results for VK3019 contributed to increased investor interest.

Analysts See Significant Upside Potential

The consensus rating from 24 analysts is predominantly positive: 22 analysts recommend buying the stock, one issues a "Strong Buy" rating, and one analyst rates VKTX neutral (as of July 1, 2026). The average price target stands at $93.60, with a median target of $95. Analyst estimates range from $83 to $101.

At the current price of around $38, the average price target represents upside potential of approximately 146 percent. The valuation is based on the development of the two obesity candidates and the potential in the growing obesity therapeutics market.

Technical Indicators Show Overbought Market Conditions

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for Viking Therapeutics stood at 72.55 on June 30, 2026, and 75.36 on June 29. An RSI value above 70 is considered a signal of overbought conditions in technical analysis. In the days prior, the indicator moved between 68.29 (June 23) and 75.03 (June 24).

The average trading volume for the stock is 3.4 million shares. On June 29, approximately $43.9 million in volume was traded. Viking Therapeutics' market capitalization stands at $3.44 billion. The price-to-book ratio is 6.22.

Business Model and Financial Metrics

Viking Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech company with no approved products and therefore no revenue. The earnings per share (EPS) most recently stood at minus $4.15. The company has been publicly listed since April 2015 and focuses its research on metabolic and endocrine disorders.

The 52-week range for the stock spans from $22.96 to $43.15. The beta factor of 0.62 indicates lower volatility compared to the overall market. Viking Therapeutics does not pay a dividend.

Outlook and Development Pipeline

The future stock price development of Viking Therapeutics is likely to depend substantially on progress with VK2735 and VK3019. The Phase 3 initiation of VK2735 planned for 2026 represents an important milestone in the company's development. GLP-1 receptor agonists have established themselves as an effective drug class for weight reduction in recent years.

Investors in the DACH region can trade the US dollar-denominated stock through international exchanges. When investing in US biotech companies without approved products, investors should consider the high development risk. New drug approvals involve regulatory hurdles, and Phase 3 trials can take several years to complete.