VKTX Eyes Worst Week Since November As Trial Data Looms — Wall Street Still Sees 200% Upside

• Retail traders expect continued slumps until the data readout. 
• VKTX has multiple catalysts geared up for the year, involving VK2735 and a preclinical drug candidate. 
• Wall Street, meanwhile, is mostly bullish on the stock.

Shares of Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) were in the spotlight on Tuesday as investors await more details on the maintenance dosing study of the company’s investigational obesity drug candidate VK2735.

The stock closed 6% lower on Tuesday, marking its worst day since late March. The stock is now on track for its worst week since November.

Near-Term Catalyst For VKTX

Data readout from the maintenance dosing study is expected in the third quarter.

Enrolled in January 2026, the 180-patient early-stage trial first doses obese volunteers with weekly subcutaneous VK2735 for 19 weeks to drive initial weight loss, then switches them to flexible maintenance regimens—monthly subcutaneous injections, daily oral tablets, weekly oral tablets, or placebo. The goal is to test whether the same molecule, available in both injectable and oral forms, can sustain weight loss with far less frequent dosing while preserving tolerability and avoiding the side-effect spikes that often occur when patients switch between different obesity drugs.

Obesity drugs face major challenges with long-term adherence and weight regain. Positive data could strongly differentiate Viking’s program from competitors. It directly addresses the “maintenance” part of the obesity market.

How Did VKTX Retail Traders React?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around VKTX stock jumped from ‘bearish’ to ‘neutral’ territory over the past 24 hours, while message volume remained at ‘normal’ levels. According to the platform’s internal data, retail chatter around the stock has increased 720% over the past 30 days.

A Stocktwits user expressed disappointment over the stock’s trajectory, noting that semiconductor stocks instead are rallying. The user framed a buyout as a way out of the slump for the stock.

Another user expressed anticipation for the upcoming maintenance trial data.

A third user opined that the stock will continue to be depressed until the trial data readout.

Other Catalysts

Following the maintenance trial data readout, Viking plans to initiate pivotal late-stage trials for the oral tablet formulation of VK2735 in the fourth quarter of 2026.

At the same time, early-stage dosing of VK3019 — Viking’s internally developed amylin receptor agonist — is on track to begin imminently after clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to initiate human trials. Initial safety and pharmacokinetic data from the study are expected later this year.

The company had a $603 million cash runway as of the end of the first quarter, enough to fund all its plans into 2027.

Wall Street Weighs In

Meanwhile, Wall Street is mostly bullish on the stock. According to data from Koyfin, 18 of the 20 analysts covering VKTX rate it ‘Buy’ or higher, while two rate it ‘Hold.’ The 12-month average price target on the stock is $92.58, representing a potential upside of about 216% from the last closing price.

Last week, Truist assumed coverage of Viking Therapeutics with a ‘Buy’ rating and a price target of $83, up from $75. The firm said that it is positive on the stock as a differentiated player in a heavily saturated and highly competitive obesity landscape, tackling two key challenges associated with contemporary and newer therapies - time to prove efficacy without plateau, and long-term adherence.

Lake Street, meanwhile, initiated coverage with a ‘Buy’ rating and $89 price target. The firm expects VK2735 to generate risk-adjusted worldwide sales of about $3 billion in 2040 and sees the potential for additional upside from earlier-stage pipeline assets.

VKTX stock has gained 12% over the past 12 months.  

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