Viking Therapeutics Option Alert: Aug 15 $22.5 Calls at the Ask: 799 vs 990 OI; Earnings 7/23 After Close [est] 

Viking Therapeutics Option Alert: Aug 15 $22.5 Calls at the Ask: 799 @ $9.85 vs 990 OI; Earnings 7/23 After Close [est] Ref=$30.37

Viking Therapeutics Azioni (NASDAQ: VKTX)

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX) Azioni

VIKING THERAPEUTICS INC

Viking Therapeutics

Viking Therapeutics Inc is a healthcare service provider. The company specializes in the area of biopharmaceutical development focused on metabolic and endocrine disorders. The company's clinical program pipeline consists of VK2809, VK5211, VK0214 products. VK2809 and VK0214 are orally available, tissue and receptor-subtype selective agonists of the thyroid hormone receptor beta. VK5211 is an orally available, non-steroidal selective androgen receptor modulator.

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Viking Therapeutics Inc

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) on Wednesday initiated the VANQUISH Phase 3 clinical program for VK2735, the company&#8217;s dual agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/06/n46091315/viking-therapeutics-announces-initiation-of-phase-3-obesity-clinical-program-with-glp-1gip-agonist" rel="noreferrer noopener">polypeptide (GIP) receptors</a>.
VK2375 is being developed in oral and subcutaneous formulations for metabolic <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" rel="noreferrer noopener">disorders such as obesity</a>.
The VANQUISH Phase 3 program includes two studies evaluating VK2735: one in adults with obesity and one in obese or overweight adults with type 2 diabetes.&nbsp;
Each study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of VK2735 administered by subcutaneous injection once weekly for 78 weeks.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/01/42827918/viking-therapeutics-structure-therapeutics-positioned-as-key-pharma-partners-for-weight-loss-products-analyst" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Viking Therapeutics, Structure Therapeutics Positioned As Key Pharma Partners For Weight Loss Products: Analyst</a>
VANQUISH-1 study: The study will target enrollment of approximately 4,500 obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) or overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m2) adults with at least one weight-related co-morbid condition.
VANQUISH-2 study: The study will target enrollment of approximately 1,100 adults with type 2 diabetes who are obese or overweight. 
Participants in both trials will be randomized to one of four weekly treatment arms: VK2735 7.5 mg, VK2735 12.5 mg, VK2735 17.5 mg, and placebo, slightly higher than the currently approved Eli Lilly And Co.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) Zepbound doses of 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg.
The trials&#8217; primary endpoint is the percent change in body weight from baseline for participants receiving VK2735 compared to placebo after 78 weeks of treatment.
Secondary and exploratory endpoints will evaluate additional safety and efficacy measures, including the percentage of patients who achieve ≥5%, ≥10%, ≥15% and ≥20% body weight reduction.&nbsp;
Each study will include an open-label extension, allowing participants to continue receiving treatment after the primary dosing period is completed.
In 2024, Viking announced topline results from the Phase 2 VENTURE study of subcutaneous VK2735 in obesity.
The VENTURE trial successfully achieved its primary and all secondary endpoints, with patients receiving VK2735 demonstrating clinically meaningful reductions in body weight compared with placebo.
Patients receiving VK2735 demonstrated statistically significant reductions in mean body weight from baseline, ranging up to 14.7%, and statistically significant reductions in mean body weight relative to placebo, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/41712739/viking-therapeutics-reveals-early-stage-from-experimental-oral-obesity-drug-showing-weight-loss-a" rel="noreferrer noopener">ranging up to 13.1%</a>.
Differences compared to placebo were statistically significant for all doses starting at week one and were maintained throughout the study.
In addition, results from follow-up visits four and seven weeks after the last dose of VK2735 was administered showed that cohorts receiving VK2735 maintained the majority of their weight loss through the seven-week follow-up visit after administering the final dose.
VK2735 also demonstrated encouraging safety and tolerability in the VENTURE study, with most observed adverse events (AEs) being reported as mild or moderate.
Treatment and study discontinuation rates among VK2735 cohorts were well-balanced compared with placebo. Of gastrointestinal (GI) related AEs, 95% were reported as mild or moderate.
Why it Matters: William Blair notes some obesity experts said that insurance companies often won't cover certain &#8220;non-standard&#8221; Zepbound doses like 2.5 mg, 7.5 mg and 12.5 mg, even though these may be the best long-term doses for some patients.
While large academic hospitals with specialized reimbursement teams can usually work around this issue, smaller or community clinics may benefit from approving these in-between doses, as it could make treatment more accessible for more patients.
Analyst Andy Hsieh expects that 17.5 mg VK2735 could contribute to additional weight loss over 15 mg Zepbound and surmises there could be a potential ceiling effect when it comes to increasingly higher doses of Zepbound or VK2735.
&#8220;We continue to believe that Viking's obesity franchise offers a unique set of attractive qualities that will be viewed favorably in the lens of big pharma from an M&amp;A perspective&#8230;,&#8221; William Blair analyst wrote on Wednesday.
VKTX Price Action: VKTX stock is down 1% at $26.68 at publication on Wednesday.
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What's Going On With Viking Therapeutics Stock On Wednesday?

HC Wainwright &amp; Co. analyst Joseph Pantginis reiterates Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) with a Buy and maintains $102 price target.

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Reiteration

HC Wainwright & Co. Reiterates Buy on Viking Therapeutics, Maintains $102 Price Target

Viking Therapeutics Launches Phase 3 VANQUISH Trials For Obesity Drug VK2735 Targeting Weekly Subcutaneous Use

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>HIMS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/13/25</td>
<td>$55.00</td>
<td>$82.5K</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
<td>4.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LQDA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$15.00</td>
<td>$27.9K</td>
<td>723</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VKTX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$27.50</td>
<td>$26.3K</td>
<td>3.6K</td>
<td>897</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ALT</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>07/18/25</td>
<td>$6.00</td>
<td>$185.2K</td>
<td>930</td>
<td>783</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$350.00</td>
<td>$80.9K</td>
<td>4.1K</td>
<td>712</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$45.6K</td>
<td>2.5K</td>
<td>600</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MRNA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$27.2K</td>
<td>14.5K</td>
<td>195</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>INSM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$70.1K</td>
<td>420</td>
<td>157</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NVO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$29.0K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td>94</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LLY</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$770.00</td>
<td>$32.4K</td>
<td>222</td>
<td>87</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding HIMS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 3 day(s) on June 13, 2025. Parties traded 500 contract(s) at a $55.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 67 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $82.5K, with a price of $165.0 per contract. There were 2313 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4580 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding LQDA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LQDA#NASDAQ">LQDA</a>), we observe a put option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 38 day(s) on July 18, 2025. Parties traded 215 contract(s) at a $15.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.9K, with a price of $130.0 per contract. There were 723 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1174 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding VKTX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 66 day(s) on August 15, 2025. Parties traded 40 contract(s) at a $27.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.3K, with a price of $659.0 per contract. There were 3634 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 897 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ALT (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALT#NASDAQ">ALT</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 38 day(s) on July 18, 2025. This event was a transfer of 1122 contract(s) at a $6.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 62 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $185.2K, with a price of $165.0 per contract. There were 930 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 783 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For UNH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be neutral, expiring in 192 day(s) on December 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 40 contract(s) at a $350.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $80.9K, with a price of $2023.0 per contract. There were 4181 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 712 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MRK (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 220 day(s) on January 16, 2026. This event was a transfer of 600 contract(s) at a $115.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 49 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $45.6K, with a price of $76.0 per contract. There were 2577 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 600 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MRNA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRNA#NASDAQ">MRNA</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 101 day(s) on September 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 50 contract(s) at a $30.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 8 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.2K, with a price of $545.0 per contract. There were 14560 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 195 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For INSM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INSM#NASDAQ">INSM</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 66 day(s) on August 15, 2025. This event was a transfer of 39 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 8 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $70.1K, with a price of $1806.0 per contract. There were 420 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 157 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding NVO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 220 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 20 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.0K, with a price of $1450.0 per contract. There were 1606 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 94 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For LLY (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 66 day(s) on August 15, 2025. This event was a transfer of 8 contract(s) at a $770.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 6 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.4K, with a price of $4055.0 per contract. There were 222 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 87 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Options

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. Class A Common Stock

HIMS

INSM

LQDA

MRNA

10 Health Care Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. 
Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MRK</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$76.00</td>
<td>$46.3K</td>
<td>2.0K</td>
<td>4.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ILMN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$32.6K</td>
<td>275</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HIMS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$45.3K</td>
<td>334</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VKTX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$32.1K</td>
<td>27</td>
<td>908</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ABBV</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$192.50</td>
<td>$25.0K</td>
<td>618</td>
<td>726</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/19/25</td>
<td>$22.50</td>
<td>$46.7K</td>
<td>219</td>
<td>73</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UNH</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/17/27</td>
<td>$500.00</td>
<td>$43.1K</td>
<td>494</td>
<td>41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LLY</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$790.00</td>
<td>$45.0K</td>
<td>160</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VRTX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/17/25</td>
<td>$490.00</td>
<td>$32.8K</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$280.00</td>
<td>$35.8K</td>
<td>1.7K</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• For MRK (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRK#NYSE">MRK</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 7 day(s) on May 16, 2025. This event was a transfer of 315 contract(s) at a $76.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 15 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $46.3K, with a price of $147.0 per contract. There were 2065 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4318 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding ILMN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ILMN#NASDAQ">ILMN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with neutral sentiment. It expires in 133 day(s) on September 19, 2025. Parties traded 152 contract(s) at a $105.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.6K, with a price of $215.0 per contract. There were 275 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1355 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding HIMS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HIMS#NYSE">HIMS</a>), we observe a call option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 616 day(s) on January 15, 2027. Parties traded 27 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $45.3K, with a price of $1680.0 per contract. There were 334 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1104 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding VKTX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 616 day(s) on January 15, 2027. Parties traded 6 contract(s) at a $80.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.1K, with a price of $5351.0 per contract. There were 27 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 908 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding ABBV (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBV#NYSE">ABBV</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 7 day(s) on May 16, 2025. Parties traded 137 contract(s) at a $192.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 40 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.0K, with a price of $183.0 per contract. There were 618 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 726 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For GH (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GH#NASDAQ">GH</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 224 day(s) on December 19, 2025. This event was a transfer of 22 contract(s) at a $22.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 19 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $46.7K, with a price of $2123.0 per contract. There were 219 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 73 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding UNH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>), we observe a call option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 769 day(s) on June 17, 2027. Parties traded 10 contract(s) at a $500.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $43.1K, with a price of $4315.0 per contract. There were 494 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 41 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding LLY (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 98 day(s) on August 15, 2025. Parties traded 10 contract(s) at a $790.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $45.0K, with a price of $4500.0 per contract. There were 160 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 12 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For VRTX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRTX#NASDAQ">VRTX</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bearish, expiring in 161 day(s) on October 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 5 contract(s) at a $490.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $32.8K, with a price of $6569.0 per contract. There were 21 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 8 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For CI (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CI#NYSE">CI</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 616 day(s) on January 15, 2027. This event was a transfer of 4 contract(s) at a $280.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $35.8K, with a price of $8950.0 per contract. There were 1706 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

ABBV

ILMN

VRTX

10 Health Care Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

WIIM

Viking Therapeutics shares are trading higher after Cantor FItzgerald initiated coverage on the stock with an Overweight rating and announced a price target of $104.

Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Steven Seedhouse initiates coverage on Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) with a Overweight rating and announces Price Target of $104.

Initiation

Cantor Fitzgerald Initiates Coverage On Viking Therapeutics with Overweight Rating, Announces Price Target of $104

Truist Securities analyst Joon Lee reiterates Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $95 to $75.

Truist Securities Reiterates Buy on Viking Therapeutics, Lowers Price Target to $75

Morgan Stanley analyst Michael Ulz maintains Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $105 to $102.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight on Viking Therapeutics, Lowers Price Target to $102

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) released its first-quarter results after Wednesday's closing bell. Here's a look at the details<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/n44964150/viking-therapeutics-reports-first-quarter-2025-financial-results-and-provides-corporate-update"> from the report.&nbsp;</a>
The Details:&nbsp;Viking Therapeutics reported quarterly losses of&nbsp;41 cents&nbsp;per share, which missed the analyst consensus estimate of&nbsp;losses of 34 cents.
The company said the increase in the quarterly net loss was primarily due to the increase in research and development expenses and general and administrative expenses compared to the same period in 2024.
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Research and development expenses were $41.4 million for the first quarter, compared to $24.1 million for the same period in 2024. The increase was primarily due to increased expenses related to manufacturing for the company&#8217;s drug candidates, clinical studies, stock-based compensation and salaries and benefits, partially offset by decreased expenses related to pre-clinical studies.
General and administrative expenses were $14.1 million for the first quarter compared to $10 million for the same period in 2024. The increase was primarily due to increased expenses related to legal and patent services, stock-based compensation and insurance, partially offset by a decrease in salaries and benefits.
As of March 31, 2025, Viking held cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $852 million, compared to $903 million as of the end of 2024.
&#8220;In the first quarter of 2025, Viking continued to build on the strong momentum achieved in 2024,&#8221; stated Brian Lian, Ph.D., CEO of Viking.
&#8220;Throughout the first quarter we continued to ramp up activities in support of the initiation of Phase 3 trials with the subcutaneous formulation of VK2735, which are on track to begin later this quarter. In addition, during the first quarter, we not only announced the initiation of the Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing trial evaluating the tablet formulation of VK2735, but also the completion of enrollment in this study,&#8221; Lian added.
VKTX Price Action: According to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw">Benzinga Pro</a>, Viking Therapeutics stock was down 1.12% after hours at $25.50 on Wednesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Read Next:&nbsp;
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Photo: Shutterstock

Earnings

After-Hours Center

Viking Therapeutics Stock Dips After Q1 EPS Miss: Details

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) reported quarterly losses of $(0.41) per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $(0.34) by 20.59 percent. This is a 57.69 percent decrease over losses of $(0.26) per share from the same period last year.

Earnings Misses

Viking Therapeutics Q1 GAAP EPS $(0.41) Misses $(0.34) Estimate

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Earnings Scheduled For April 23, 2025

Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) is set to give its latest quarterly earnings report on Wednesday, 2025-04-23. Here's what investors need to know before the announcement.
Analysts estimate that Viking Therapeutics will report an earnings per share (EPS) of $-0.32. 
Investors in Viking Therapeutics are eagerly awaiting the company's announcement, hoping for news of surpassing estimates and positive guidance for the next quarter.
It's worth noting for new investors that stock prices can be heavily influenced by future projections rather than just past performance.
<h3>Performance in Previous Earnings</h3>
During the last quarter, the company reported an EPS missed by $0.05, leading to a 6.09% drop in the share price on the subsequent day.
Here's a look at Viking Therapeutics's past performance and the resulting price change:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q4 2024</th>
<th>Q3 2024</th>
<th>Q2 2024</th>
<th>Q1 2024</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>-0.27</td>
<td>-0.25</td>
<td>-0.27</td>
<td>-0.28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>-0.32</td>
<td>-0.22</td>
<td>-0.20</td>
<td>-0.26</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Price Change %</td>
<td>-6.0%</td>
<td>21.0%</td>
<td>28.000000000000004%</td>
<td>6.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745344947_0.png" alt="eps graph" />
<h3>Viking Therapeutics Share Price Analysis</h3>
Shares of Viking Therapeutics were trading at $23.72 as of April 21. Over the last 52-week period, shares are down 61.43%. Given that these returns are generally negative, long-term shareholders are likely a little upset going into this earnings release. 
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/VKTX/earnings">To track all earnings releases for Viking Therapeutics visit their earnings calendar on our site.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Earnings Preview For Viking Therapeutics

Viking Therapeutics's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NYSE">VKTX</a>) short percent of float has fallen 5.26% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 25.62 million shares sold short, which is 27.38% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 8.53 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Viking Therapeutics Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1745251217_0_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Viking Therapeutics has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Viking Therapeutics's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Viking Therapeutics's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 13.52%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

How Is The Market Feeling About Viking Therapeutics?

Viking Therapeutics shares are trading higher after Pfizer discontinued the development of danuglipron.

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>),&nbsp;&nbsp;Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVO#NYSE">NVO</a>) stocks are trading higher on Monday.
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PFE#NYSE">PFE</a>) announced on Monday that it will discontinue the development of danuglipron (PF-06882961), an oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist being investigated for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/weight-loss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic weight management</a>.
A single asymptomatic participant in one of the dose-optimization studies experienced potential drug-induced liver injury, which resolved after discontinuation of danuglipron.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/01/42827918/viking-therapeutics-structure-therapeutics-positioned-as-key-pharma-partners-for-weight-loss-products-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">Viking Therapeutics, Structure Therapeutics Positioned As Key Pharma Partners For Weight Loss Products: Analyst</a>
Pfizer is one of several drugmakers working to develop an alternative to injectable weight loss drugs. Still, it&#8217;s far behind rivals like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, who already lead the market with weekly injections.
Eli Lilly is developing orforglipron, which could be the first small-molecule weight-loss pill when it launches in 2026. This would give Eli Lilly a two-year lead <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/10/41137681/eli-lilly-nears-first-trillion-pharma-title-but-investors-caution-amid-sky-high-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">before rivals catch up</a>.
In March, Viking Therapeutics completed subject enrollment in its Phase 2 clinical trial of the oral tablet formulation of VK2735, the company&#8217;s dual agonist of the GLP-1 and glucose-dependent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/03/n44490486/viking-therapeutics-announces-completion-of-enrollment-in-phase-2-venture-oral-dosing-trial-of-vk2" rel="noreferrer noopener">insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors</a>.
VK2375 is being developed in oral and subcutaneous formulations for various metabolic disorders, such as obesity. Viking expects to report data from the study in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/11/41712739/viking-therapeutics-reveals-early-stage-from-experimental-oral-obesity-drug-showing-weight-loss-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the second half of 2025</a>.
Viking plans to initiate Phase 3 development with the subcutaneous formulation of VK2735 in the first half of 2025.
In June 2024, Structure Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPCR#NASDAQ">GPCR</a>) unveiled 12-week topline obesity data from its <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39144875/structure-therapeutics-obesity-candidate-is-very-competitive-to-eli-lillys-orforgli" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phase 2a study of GSBR-1290</a>.
In the Phase 2a obesity study, GSBR-1290 demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant placebo-adjusted mean decrease in weight of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/06/g39133591/structure-therapeutics-reports-positive-topline-data-from-its-phase-2a-obesity-study-and-capsule-t" rel="noreferrer noopener">6.2% at 12 weeks</a>.&nbsp;
In July 2024, Roche Holdings AG&nbsp;(OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RHHBY#OTC">RHHBY</a>) announced topline results from two arms of an ongoing multi-part Phase 1 clinical trial for CT-996 for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/07/39812408/roche-highlights-encouraging-data-from-newly-acquired-second-weight-loss-drug-candidate-in-early-" rel="noreferrer noopener">type 2 diabetes and obesity</a>.
The data showed that treatment with CT-996 in participants with obesity and without type 2 diabetes resulted in a clinically meaningful placebo-adjusted mean weight loss of -6.1% within four weeks.
This data is better compared <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/24/07/39817857/obesity-drugs-focused-stocks-tumble-on-wednesday-whats-going-on-with-eli-lilly-novo-nordisk-vikin" rel="noreferrer noopener">to existing competitors</a>.
In June 2023, Pfizer discontinued the clinical development of another GLP-1-RA candidate, lotiglipron (PF-07081532), due to pharmacokinetic data from Phase 1 studies and laboratory measurements of elevated&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/23/11/35757948/what-are-pfizers-prospects-in-obesity-pill-market-analysts-say-optimism-cautiousness-surround-wit" rel="noreferrer noopener">transaminases (liver enzymes)</a>.
In March, Altimmune Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALT#NASDAQ">ALT</a>) unveiled the first disclosure of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Alcohol Liver Disease (ALD) as potential developments&nbsp;for its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/25/03/44330443/altimmune-expands-weight-loss-drug-pemvidutides-potential-to-alcohol-related-disorders" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity drug, pemvidutide</a>.
Phase 2 trials for pemvidutide in AUD and ALD are expected to start in the second and third quarters of 2025, respectively.
Price Action: LLY stock is up 1.14% at $739.26, NVO stock is up 1.68% at $65.82, ALT stock is up 3.40% at $4.56, VKTX stock is up 13.5% at $25.21
GPCR stock is up 8.36% at $17.23 at the last check on Monday.
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Large Cap

GPCR

RHHBY

What's Going On With Viking Therapeutics, Structure Therapeutics Stock On Monday?

Editor's Note: The headline has been updated to reflect that the stocks are moving higher.
U.S. stock futures were higher this morning, with the Dow futures gaining around 400 points on Friday.
Shares of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) rose sharply in today's pre-market trading after the Trump administration announced tariff <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AAPL">exemptions for smartphones</a>.
Apple shares gained 5.8% to 209.56 in the pre-market trading session.
Here are some other stocks moving higher in pre-market trading.
<ul>
<li>Third Harmonic Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/THRD#NASDAQ">THRD</a>) shares jumped 36.8% to $4.98 in pre-market trading after the company announced a plan of liquidation and dissolution.</li>
<li>Theratechnologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/THTX#NASDAQ">THTX</a>) gained 32.5% to $2.57 in pre-market trading. Future Pak, on Friday, proposed to acquire the company for $255 million.</li>
<li>TMC the metals company Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TMC#NASDAQ">TMC</a>) gained 20% to $2.34 in pre-market trading following a 5% gain on Friday.</li>
<li>Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) rose 14.5% to $25.45 in pre-market trading after gaining 3% on Friday.</li>
<li>MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MP#NYSE">MP</a>) rose 12% to $25.40 in pre-market trading. MP Materials will release its financial results for the first quarter, after the closing bell on Thursday, May 8.</li>
<li>Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BBY#NYSE">BBY</a>) gained 8.8% to $65.76 in pre-market trading after the Trump administration excluded a range of technology products, including consumer electronics from the 145% reciprocal tariffs bucket.</li>
<li>Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>) climbed 5.8% to $86.73 in pre-market trading &nbsp;after the Trump administration excluded a range of technology products, including consumer electronics from the 145% reciprocal tariffs bucket.</li>
<li>NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) rose 3% to $114.17 in pre-market trading after the Trump administration excluded a range of technology products, including consumer electronics from the 145% reciprocal tariffs bucket.</li>
</ul>
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/25/04/44759831/top-3-industrials-stocks-that-may-explode-in-april">Top 3 Industrials Stocks That May Explode In April</a> </li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

AAPL

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Third Harmonic Bio, Apple, Dell And Other Big Stocks Moving Higher In Monday's Pre-Market Session (CORRECTED)

Goldman Sachs analyst Richard Law initiates coverage on Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VKTX#NASDAQ">VKTX</a>) with a Neutral rating and announces Price Target of $30.

Goldman Sachs Initiates Coverage On Viking Therapeutics with Neutral Rating, Announces Price Target of $30

Small Cap

Press Releases

Viking Therapeutics to Report Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2024 on February 5, 2025

Viking Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2024 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Viking Therapeutics to Participate at Upcoming Investor Conferences

Viking Therapeutics Signs Broad Manufacturing Agreement With CordenPharma to Support Commercialization of VK2735

Contracts

CordenPharma and Viking Therapeutics Sign Long-Term Strategic Partnership for Integrated Supply of GLP-1 Peptides, Injectables and Oral Formulations

Viking Therapeutics Announces Completion of Enrollment in Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing Trial of VK2735 Tablet Formulation in Patients with Obesity

Viking Therapeutics to Report Financial Results for First Quarter 2025 on April 23, 2025

Viking Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Viking Therapeutics Announces Initiation of Phase 3 Obesity Clinical Program with GLP-1/GIP Agonist VK2735

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