Viking Therapeutics Q1 loss widens on  higher research, development expenses

Viking Therapeutics

29/04/2026 21:25

Overview

U.S. biopharma reported Q1 net loss widened, missing analyst expectations

Q1 adjusted EPS and net income both missed analyst expectations

Higher R&D expenses drove increased loss as VK2735 obesity trials advanced

Outlook

Initiation of Phase 3 oral VK2735 obesity trial expected in 4Q26

VK2735 maintenance dosing study data expected in 3Q26

Phase 1 trial of amylin agonist VK3019 planned to begin in 2Q26

Result Drivers

NET LOSS - The increase in net loss for Q1 was driven by higher research and development expenses, partially offset by decreased general and administrative expenses compared to last year

R&D SPENDING - Co said increased research and development expenses were due to clinical studies, manufacturing for drug candidates, consultants, salaries, benefits and pre-clinical studies

CLINICAL TRIAL PROGRESS - Co advanced Phase 3 VK2735 obesity trials, with both VANQUISH-1 and VANQUISH-2 fully enrolled in Q1

Company press release: ID:nPn3dfShca

Key Details

Metric
Beat/Miss
Actual
Consensus Estimate
Q1 EPS
Miss
-$1.37
-$1.01 (15 Analysts)
Q1 Net Income
Miss
-$158.33 mln
-$113.79 mln (12 Analysts)
Q1 Income from Operations
Miss
-$164.13 mln
-$130.008 mln (13 Analysts)
Q1 Operating Expenses
$164.13 mln


Analyst Coverage

The current average analyst rating on the shares is "buy" and the breakdown of recommendations is 17 "strong buy" or "buy", 2 "hold" and no "sell" or "strong sell"

The average consensus recommendation for the biotechnology & medical research peer group is "buy"

Wall Street's median 12-month price target for Viking Therapeutics Inc is $101.50, about 213.4% above its April 28 closing price of $32.39

For questions concerning the data in this report, contact Estimates.Support@lseg.com. For any other questions or feedback, contact reuters.support@thomsonreuters.com.

(This story was created using Reuters automation and AI based on LSEG and company data. It was checked and edited by a Reuters journalist prior to publication.)