Oppenheimer Raised Viking Therapeutics Price Target
The firm increased its target to $120, citing higher success probabilities for the company's weight loss drug.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Weight Loss
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Oppenheimer analyst Jay Olson has raised the price target for Viking Therapeutics stock to $120 from $100. The adjustment follows positive maintenance trial data for the company's weight loss candidate, VK2735.
Why it matters
The upgrade reflects increased confidence in the clinical success of VK2735, which analysts project could generate billions in annual sales. This shift in sentiment underscores the high stakes for biotech firms competing in the expanding weight loss market.
The firm increased its probability of success estimate for VK2735 to 90%, compared to the current Wall Street consensus of 76.5%. Projected unadjusted sales for the drug are estimated to reach $1.5 billion by 2030 and $6.5 billion by 2035.
The players
Jay Olson
He is an Oppenheimer analyst who tracks biotech equities and clinical trial outcomes.
Viking Therapeutics
The company is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm focused on developing therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders.
Oppenheimer
It is a prominent investment banking firm that provides financial research and capital markets services.
The details
Viking Therapeutics is preparing for a phase 3 oral trial scheduled for the fourth quarter. Clinical trials have shown promising results, including 14.7% mean weight loss in the subcutaneous trial, though the VENTURE-Oral phase 2 trial experienced a 20% discontinuation rate due to adverse events.
Timeline
The analyst published the price target increase on October 12, 2026.
A phase 3 oral trial is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Results from the maintenance trial are due in 2027.
Projected unadjusted sales for VK2735 are estimated to reach $1.5 billion in 2030.
Projected unadjusted sales for VK2735 are expected to reach $6.5 billion in 2035.
Health Landscape
The clinical performance of VK2735 is measured against established benchmarks like the 20.9% mean weight loss observed in tirzepatide trials. This development highlights how current weight loss drug research is shifting toward identifying both effective injectable and oral treatments.
The company's clinical progress suggests that more oral treatment options for weight loss could become available if late-stage trials succeed. Patients should monitor future trial outcomes for information regarding potential long-term efficacy and the frequency of side effects.
The takeaway
Investors often use probability-based modeling to value biotech stocks based on expected drug success. Patients tracking medical news should remain aware that clinical trial results for potential weight loss therapies can vary significantly as they move toward larger phase 3 testing.
What happens next
Viking Therapeutics will initiate a phase 3 oral trial in the fourth quarter of 2026, with further maintenance trial results expected in 2027.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving market for new clinical treatments, visit the Weight Loss section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Motley Fool.
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