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Investing.com - Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) has issued a comparative analysis indicating Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) offers superior obesity treatment results compared to Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VKTX). Viking, currently valued at $4.7 billion and maintaining a GOOD financial health score according to InvestingPro, faces significant challenges despite its strong balance sheet.
According to Mizuho’s research, Viking’s clinical data appears "inferior to LLY on almost all metrics" with a particularly concerning patient discontinuation rate over the 13-week trial period.
The analysis highlights that Viking’s treatment showed a significantly higher discontinuation rate in a shorter timeframe compared to Eli Lilly’s treatment, which demonstrated a "mid 20% range" discontinuation rate over a much longer 72-week trial period.
Mizuho suggests this comparison "probably shutters hope for VKTX" as a major competitor in the oral obesity market for the near to medium term, indicating Viking would need pipeline improvements or better product versions to regain investor and patient interest.
The research firm notes that while Eli Lilly could see some positive movement, oral weight-loss programs generally remain "highly controversial in terms of how they are perceived by the Street."
In other recent news, Viking Therapeutics announced positive results from its Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing trial for its obesity drug VK2735. The trial showed that patients experienced significant weight loss, with reductions of up to 12.2% of body weight after 13 weeks of treatment, compared to a 1.3% loss for those on placebo. These results were consistent across multiple dosage levels, meeting both primary and secondary endpoints. Piper Sandler reiterated its Overweight rating on Viking Therapeutics, maintaining a price target of $71.00, while Oppenheimer also upheld its Outperform rating with a $100.00 price target, citing a favorable risk/reward profile. Both firms expressed optimism about the company’s prospects ahead of upcoming clinical data releases. Viking Therapeutics’ stock has recently been subject to fluctuations, reflecting investor reactions to these developments. The promising trial results have kept analysts positive about the company’s future performance.
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