Viking Therapeutics and the Clinical Milestones Shaping Its 2028 Outlook

Viking Therapeutics is currently running four phase 3 clinical trials for its primary drug, VK2735, targeting obesity and obesity with type 2 diabetes. The company's development pipeline includes both subcutaneous injection versions and oral formulations.

While the injectable trials aim to establish market footing against established industry leaders like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, the oral trials are designed to broaden the potential addressable market. A dual-formulation strategy could allow patients to transition from an initial injectable dose for rapid weight reduction to a more manageable oral maintenance routine.

Clinical data for the subcutaneous trials, designated Vanquish-1 and Vanquish-2, are projected for the second half of 2027. Meanwhile, the oral trials, Sunrise-1 and Sunrise-2, commenced recently and span 68 weeks, with results anticipated in 2028. Additionally, maintenance trial data is slated for release in 2027.

Financial projections suggest that if the drug successfully captures a meaningful share of the lucrative weight-loss market—pegged by data analytics firm Evaluate at up to $70 billion for competing treatments by 2032—risk-adjusted peak sales for VK2735 could reach $3.5 billion. Such figures imply significant upside potential for early investors depending on regulatory success and trial efficacy.

What to watch next: Monitor upcoming updates on the subcutaneous maintenance trial expected in 2027, as well as patient discontinuation rates and tolerability data.