Keep an eye on up-and-coming obesity treatment stocks, like Viking Therapeutics (VKTX).
For one, with obesity bursting at the seams, interest in weight loss medication has been skyrocketing. Two, the company is already seeing solid success with its GLP-1 drug trials, which are meeting primary and second endpoints. Plus, it expects to launch Phase 2 trials for its oral version of VK2735 later this year.
Oppenheimer also just raised their price target on VKTX to $138 from $116, with an outperform rating. BTIG analysts also raised their price target to $125 from $100, with a buy rating.
There’s also Altimmune (ALT).
Data from a 48-week trial showed that about 74.5% of weight loss was linked to fat tissue. About 25.5% was linked to lean mass, which may give it a leg up against competition. “We believe that pemvidutide has the potential to distinguish itself broadly from other therapies for the treatment of obesity,” ALT’s CEO, Vipin Garg added.
Analysts at B. Riley also reiterated a buy rating on the stock, with a price target of $20. The firm added that the 25% linked to lean mass, relative to other obesity medications, makes this treatment an “ideal lifestyle anti-obesity drug,” as highlighted by TheFly.com
