3 Reasons Viking Therapeutics Stock Could 10X if Its Obesity Pipeline Succeeds

By Adria Cimino – Feb 23, 2026 at 5:10AM ESTKey PointsViking Therapeutics aims to enter the billion-dollar weight loss drug market.The company is studying a candidate in a phase 3 trial.These 10 Stocks Could Mint the Next Wave of Millionaires ›NASDAQ: VKTXViking TherapeuticsMarket Cap$3.6BToday's Changeangle-down(-0.26%) $0.08Current Price$31.02Price as of February 20, 2026 at 3:58 PM ETViking stock has plenty of room to run.The weight loss drug market has been one key focus for investors in recent years. This is because demand has been incredibly high, driving blockbuster revenue for companies making such products -- here, I'm talking about pharma giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. But these companies aren't the only ones that could win in the market in the years to come. One biotech company in particular is approaching the finish line, with its candidate involved in a phase 3 trial. This player, Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 0.26%), is studying VK2735 in injectable format in that trial and aims to launch a phase 3 trial of an oral format of the candidate later this year. Let's check out three reasons Viking stock could increase by 10 if its obesity pipeline succeeds. Image source: Getty Images. 1. A billion-dollar market and high demand The weight loss drug market is on track to reach nearly $100 billion by the end of the decade, analysts predict. This, along with the sustained high demand for these drugs, means there is room for more than one or two companies to succeed here. At certain points over the past few years, demand exceeded the supply of the Lilly and Novo weight loss drugs. Though both companies no longer face that problem since they've ramped up manufacturing capabilities, other players could easily carve out market share -- especially a company like Viking that so far has delivered solid clinical trial results. ExpandNASDAQ: VKTXViking TherapeuticsToday's Change(-0.26%) $-0.08Current Price$31.02Key Data PointsMarket Cap$3.6BDay's Range$30.22 - $31.1752wk Range$18.92 - $43.15Volume964Avg Vol3M 2. Viking's market value makes growth possible Viking has a market value of about $3.5 billion, leaving it room to run if it gains product approvals and then goes on to generate revenue growth. A 10x increase would result in a market cap of $35 billion -- a move that would be possible if Viking's pipeline delivers. Of course, with one or two products on the market, Viking wouldn't reach the market value levels of its big pharma rivals -- Lilly and Novo, with market values of more than $900 billion and $200 billion, respectively, have enormous product portfolios supporting growth. But this biotech could easily see its market value soar from current levels. 3. Viking has a track record of stock performance Viking stock surged following phase 2 data from VK2735. This was during one trading session back in 2024 -- the stock jumped 121%. Since, Viking shares have lost much of that gain, but this movement shows that investors have their eyes on the stock and are ready to pile in on any good news. A potential product approval could, of course, be big as it opens the door to significant and lasting revenue growth. So, such news, as well as additional clinical trial news in the meantime, could help Viking along the path to increasing by 10.Read NextFeb 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?Feb 11, 2026 •By Adria CiminoViking Therapeutics: The Under‑the‑Radar GLP‑1 Contender Growth Hunters Can't IgnoreFeb 10, 2026 •By Prosper Junior BakinyMissed Out on Eli Lilly? 2 Healthcare Stocks With Big Catalysts on the Horizon.Feb 3, 2026 •By Justin PopeThe Smartest Growth Stock to Buy With $30 Right NowJan 27, 2026 •By Prosper Junior Bakiny2 Biotech Stocks Set to Rebound in 2026About the AuthorAdria Cimino is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering healthcare, technology, and consumer goods sectors. Prior to The Motley Fool, Adria covered the European stock market and U.S. stocks pre-market trading for Bloomberg News, Bloomberg TV, and Bloomberg Radio for more than a decade. Earlier in her career, she wrote about biotech, medtech, and technology companies in Boston for Mass High Tech, an American City Business Journals publication. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of South Florida.TMFAdriaCiminoX@adria_in_parisStocks MentionedViking TherapeuticsNASDAQ: VKTX$31.02 (0.26%) $0.08Eli LillyNYSE: LLY$1008.28 (1.46%) $14.94Novo NordiskNYSE: NVO$47.45 (2.05%) $0.99*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.