Here's Why Viking Therapeutics Stock Recovered and Can Soar in 2026

By Lee Samaha – Updated Mar 11, 2026 at 5:45AM ESTKey PointsA maintenance study could shed light on the tolerability of VK2735's oral formulation in 2026, ahead of the Phase 3 trial's conclusion. Viking Therapeutics has two Phase 3 trials in process for the subcutaneous VK2735 formulation. Shares in Viking Therapeutics (VKTX +3.00%) rose by 16.5% in February, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The move helped the stock recover in 2026, and at the time of writing, it's only down by a low single-digit percentage this year. The increase in February followed the company's fourth-quarter earnings release and corporate update. Viking Therapeutics and VK2735 As ever, with smaller-market-cap biotech companies, the needle mover for their stock is pipeline developments.

For Viking Therapeutics, it's its VK2735 development program. The dual GLP-1/GIP agonist (a class of drugs revolutionizing the treatment of obesity and diabetes) is in trials in both subcutaneous (under the skin) and oral forms for both indications. Image source: Getty Images. Given the advantages of oral weight-loss pills (they avoid injections, can be stored at room temperature, and are easy to take), most of the excitement centers on the oral formulation of VK2735. However, the company disappointed the market last August with its top-line results from a Phase 2 VENTURE (oral VK2735) trial in obesity. While the weight loss data (up to 12.2% mean weight loss after just 13 weeks) was impressive, the safety and tolerability (20% discontinuation rate due to adverse events in the treated group) was not. There is always a concern around gastrointestinal issues with oral formulations, and most of the issues in the Phase 2 trial came down to things like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. What was new from Viking Therapeutics As previously discussed, the VENTURE trial had aggressive titration, and the treated group didn't have much time to adjust to the treatment (a 13-week trial). The discontinuation rate due to an adverse event in the placebo group was 13%, suggesting the overall cohort had some challenging characteristics. Consequently, management isn't giving up on the oral VK2735 formulation, and it had good news for investors on that front. ExpandNASDAQ: VKTXViking TherapeuticsToday's Change(3.00%) $1.01Current Price$34.62Key Data PointsMarket Cap$4.0BDay's Range$33.42 - $35.3852wk Range$18.92 - $43.15Volume23Avg Vol2.9M First, the company initiated a maintenance and transition study in the fourth quarter, in which participants will initially receive VK2735 subcutaneously, then transition to a maintenance dosage in subcutaneous or oral form. Management announced that "This study is fully enrolled and we look forward to announcing the results in the third quarter of 2026." Second, management told investors, "Following feedback from an end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA, we plan to advance oral VK2735 into Phase 3 development" in the third quarter of 2026. Third, enrollment for the Phase 3 VANQUISH-1 (subcutaneous in obesity) is complete, and Phase 3 VANQUISH-2 (subcutaneous in Type 2 diabetes) enrollment is expected to be completed in due course. What it means to investors For a variety of reasons, sometimes financial, smaller biotech companies are not as good as larger ones at conducting trials. Consequently, investors need to keep an open mind over trial results, such as with the Phase 2 VENTURE trial. The good news is that management feels confident enough to take VK2735 into Phase 3 (oral) as well as the already initiated maintenance study. Investors are hoping the latter will reveal good safety and tolerability data for the group taking an oral maintenance dose when results come out later this year.Read NextMar 9, 2026 •By Prosper Junior BakinyForget AI Stocks: This Potentially Disruptive Biotech Could Soar By 181%, According to Wall StreetFeb 23, 2026 •By Prosper Junior BakinyGot $5,000?

Viking Therapeutics Might Be a Weight‑Loss Drug Moon Shot in the Making.Feb 23, 2026 •By James BrumleyWhy Viking Therapeutics Stock Is Up More Than 9% TodayFeb 23, 2026 •By Adria Cimino3 Reasons Viking Therapeutics Stock Could 10X if Its Obesity Pipeline SucceedsFeb 19, 2026 •By James BrumleyIs Viking Therapeutics Stock Really Going to $125?Feb 17, 2026 •By Adria Cimino2026 Could Be a Big Year for Viking Therapeutics. Time to Buy?About the AuthorLee Samaha is a contributing Stock Market Analyst at The Motley Fool covering industrials, electricals, energy, materials, transportation, and infrastructure stocks. Prior to The Motley Fool, Lee was a Civil Engineer and Investment Manager. He holds a Bachelor of Civil and Structural Engineering from Southampton University and a Certificate in Investment Management from Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. Lee first cut his investing teeth on The Motley Fool bulletin boards (commonly referred to as the “Fool Boards,”) and he’s infinitely grateful to all of the investors he learned from in this powerful investing community.TMFSaintGermainX@LeeSamahaStocks MentionedViking TherapeuticsNASDAQ: VKTX$34.62(+3.00%)+$1.01*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.