Viking Therapeutics: The Under‑the‑Radar GLP‑1 Contender Growth Hunters Can't Ignore

By Adria Cimino – Feb 11, 2026 at 1:15AM ESTKey PointsViking Therapeutics is advancing weight loss candidates through phase 2 and phase 3 trials.Results so far have been very promising.We’re bullish on these 10 stocks ›NASDAQ: VKTXViking TherapeuticsMarket Cap$3.2BToday's Changeangle-down(-2.25%) $0.66Current Price$28.64Price as of February 10, 2026 at 3:58 PM ETThis stock has been known to soar after good news.When most people think about GLP-1 drugs, they think of the blockbuster products sold by pharma giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Lilly makes Mounjaro and Zepbound, while Novo makes Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs have helped people around the world shed pounds -- and as a result, they've brought in billions of dollars in sales. These pharmaceutical companies lead the market today, but they may not remain undisturbed here for very long. Other pharma players and biotech companies are knocking on the door -- and if their candidates make it successfully through clinical development and regulatory review, they could make a grand entrance. Before that happens, it's a great idea to scoop up shares and hold on to them as the story unfolds. Which stock to buy? Let's check out Viking Therapeutics (VKTX 2.25%), the under-the-radar GLP-1 contender that growth hunters can't ignore. Image source: Getty Images. How GLP-1 drugs work So, first, a quick bit of information about GLP-1 drugs. People aiming to lose weight have flocked to these products as they're easy to take -- by weekly injection -- and have safely produced fantastic results. The drugs work by interacting with hormones involved in the management of blood sugar levels and appetite. Demand has been so high for GLP-1 drugs that shortages have even been declared in the past. This suggests that, even though Lilly and Novo lead this market right now, there's room for other players to join. And one of these players may be Viking. The company is studying VK2735 in an injectable formulation in a phase 3 study and in a pill format in a phase 2 study. Clinical trial results so far have been strong, suggesting VK2735 may become a significant player in this market in the not-too-distant future. Viking stands out because both the injectable and oral formulations use the same molecule, meaning that it should be easy for a patient to switch from one to the other. ExpandNASDAQ: VKTXViking TherapeuticsToday's Change(-2.25%) $-0.66Current Price$28.64Key Data PointsMarket Cap$3.2BDay's Range$28.64 - $29.6552wk Range$18.92 - $43.15Volume47KAvg Vol3.1M A stock known to react Investors may score a win as Viking progresses with VK2735 and announces trial data. When the company initially reported positive phase 2 trial data about two years ago, the stock soared 121% in one trading session. So Viking stock is known to react to positive news -- though I wouldn't expect such a massive gain with every bit of positive news. And a potential regulatory approval could lead to significant revenue growth and profit down the road. That clearly supports the idea of positive stock performance over time. Finally, some investors and analysts have suggested that Viking could be a takeover target -- this could be another route to gains. Of course, Viking, like any biotech company, faces the risk of setbacks in drug development. But if you're a growth investor who doesn't mind that risk, Viking is a GLP-1 contender that you can't ignore.Read NextFeb 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 2026Jan 23, 2026 •By Adria CiminoEli Lilly Soared by 39% in 2025, but Here's Another Healthcare Stock to Buy in 2026Jan 21, 2026 •By David Jagielski, CPA2 Bargain Stocks You Can Buy for Less Than $100 Right NowJan 21, 2026 •By Prosper Junior Bakiny1 Stock That Could Soar by 175%, According to Wall StreetAbout 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$28.64 (2.25%) $0.66Eli LillyNYSE: LLY$1025.00 (1.88%) $19.67Novo NordiskNYSE: NVO$49.12 (0.51%) $0.25*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.