On September 22, Viking reported that people taking its experimental obesity drug, VK2735, retained much of their earlier weight loss after switching from weekly injections to less frequent maintenance doses. If that’s the case, VKTX could have quite the opportunity. 

What Viking’s Study Found

The study began with 21 weeks of weekly injections. During that period, participants receiving VK2735 lost an average of roughly 16% to 19% of their starting body weight, depending on the dose. The placebo group saw essentially no weight loss. After those 21 weeks, participants taking the drug moved into a 12-week maintenance phase. Some received an injection every other week, some received one every four weeks, and others were switched to placebo.

The difference: The every-other-week groups retained an average of 90% of the weight they had lost during the initial treatment period. The monthly groups retained an average of 85%. Participants switched to placebo retained 61%. 

In plain English, imagine someone lost 40 pounds during the first phase. Retaining 85% of that loss would mean they remained about 34 pounds below their starting weight at the end of the maintenance period. It does not mean they lost another 85% of their body weight.

Why Fewer Injections Could Matter

A published study of U.S. adults taking GLP-1 drugs found that discontinuation was common over the first two years. People stop treatment for many reasons, so a simpler schedule will not solve every obstacle. Still, having fewer injections could make ongoing treatment more manageable for some patients. 

That is the opportunity Viking is exploring. A patient might begin with weekly doses to lose weight, then move to a schedule that requires fewer injections to help maintain the result.

If further studies support that approach, doctors and patients could have more flexibility when planning long-term care. For now, the key phrase is further studies. Viking’s maintenance results cover 12 weeks, or about three months. They cannot yet show how well monthly dosing would work over a year or longer.

Another Result Caught Investors’ Attention

Viking also followed a small exploratory group that continued taking VK2735 weekly. By week 33, those participants had lost an average of 21.7% of their starting body weight, with no weight-loss plateau observed during that period. 

Viking also reported that gastrointestinal side effects during the maintenance phase occurred at rates comparable to placebo. That is useful to know because nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation are familiar concerns with drugs in this category. Larger and longer studies will give a clearer picture of tolerability.

VKTX Stock Technical Analysis: Can Viking’s Breakout Hold?

VKTX stock surged sharply after the latest VK2735 results, pushing the stock well above its 50-day moving average. VKTX closed at $39.02 on September 23, compared with a 50-day SMA of $33.85, after reaching an intraday high of $42.92. That high is an important near-term resistance level, particularly because VKTX pulled back from it before the close. The stock also posted unusually heavy volume of about 4.29 million shares, suggesting substantial investor interest behind the move.

Momentum remains positive, with the 14-day RSI at 64.88. That is approaching the 70 level traditionally associated with overbought conditions but has not reached it. If VKTX can break above $42.92, the recent rally could have room to extend. On the downside, the $37.50 area and the 50-day average near $33.85 offer potential levels to watch if the stock gives back some of its gains.

What This Means for Viking Stock

VK2735 acts on two hormone receptors, GLP-1 and GIP, the same targets addressed by tirzepatide from Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY). Viking’s results suggest it may have a compelling drug candidate, especially if flexible maintenance dosing continues to perform well.

But an encouraging study does not settle the competitive race. 

VK2735 remains experimental. Viking still needs to show that its results hold up in larger trials, demonstrate longer-term safety and effectiveness, and clear the steps required before the drug could reach patients. The company also plans to study oral maintenance dosing, which could add another option if successful. 

For investors, the appeal is easy to understand. Strong weight loss gets a drug noticed. Helping people keep that weight off with a schedule they can live with could make it considerably more valuable.

Viking has delivered promising early evidence on both fronts. The next test is whether the monthly and every-other-week results last beyond three months. With weekly weight loss injections, even an effective drug can become difficult to fit into everyday life. It’s one reason investors are paying close attention to new results from Viking Therapeutics, which may have just changed the frequency.

And the good news for investors is that if this is a growth story, it’s still in its early stages. Goldman Sachs forecasts that the global anti-obesity medication market is likely to reach $95 billion by 2030 and may reach $120 billion by 2035.

With that in mind, investors should keep an eye on a trio of obesity stocks: Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY), Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX), and Structure Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GPCR).

Obesity Stocks to Buy: Eli Lilly & Co.

Eli Lilly & Co. had the distinction of joining the exclusive club of stocks with a $1 trillion market cap. As of this writing, the stock has fallen back from that perch, but based on its commanding leadership in the GLP-1 market, it will likely reclaim that distincition soon.

LLY stock is up 33.8% in 2025. And recent price targets suggest there’s more growth to come.

Analysts at Bank of America reiterated a buy rating on Eli Lilly with a price target of $1,286 from $950. The firm states that Eli Lilly remains in first place in the obesity and diabetes market with its current GLP-1 franchise, Zepbound/Mounjaro. The firm also believes Eli Lilly will launch its new oral medication for obesity in early 2026, rather than later in the year.

Obesity Stocks to Buy: Viking Therapeutics

Viking Therapeutics stock is down 12% in 2025. However, it’s climbed over 31% in the three months ending December 3. With the stock trading at $35.41, VKTX could explode even higher.

In fact, analysts have a consensus price target of $87.14 on VKTX stock, a gain of nearly 149% from its current level. Hitting that target will be contingent on the company seeing further positive results with its obesity trials.  

Recently, VKTX initiated its VANQUISH Phase 3 clinical program for VK2735, the company’s dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. The company is also making progress with both oral and subcutaneous formulations for the potential treatment.

Also, according to Brian Lian, Ph.D., CEO of Viking.  “Along with the successful initiation of the Phase 3 program we continue to make progress on VK2735’s broader development.  This includes our plans to initiate an additional clinical study to evaluate a monthly maintenance regimen, which is expected to begin later this year.  We also continue to build on the encouraging early data reported for the oral tablet formulation of VK2735 and expect to report the results of the Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing study in the second half of this year.” 

Adding to investor enthusiasm are rumors that a company like Pfizer could potentially buy a company like this one. Especially after PFE CEO Albert Bourla said the company could seek deals to add obesity therapies to strengthen its pipeline.

Obesity Stocks to Buy: Structure Therapeutics 

Structure Therapeutics may appeal to investors who have an appetite for the volatility that comes with small-cap stocks. The distinction between Structure Therapeutics and the other obesity stocks on this list is that it’s a clinical-stage company. That means it doesn’t have a product that’s commercially available.

It also means that the company is not profitable and has very little revenue. However, buying clinical-stage biopharmaceutical stocks can be like buying a lottery ticket. If it hits, they can be very profitable.

The company recently reported positive topline data from its Phase 2a obesity study of GSBR-1290, which “demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant placebo-adjusted mean weight loss of 6.2% at 12 weeks,” according to a company press release.

GPCR is also on track to initiate a 36-week Phase 2b study of GSBR-1290 in the fourth quarter of the year. Should it continue to show solid progress, shares of GPCR could easily push aggressively higher.