Viking Therapeutics (VKTX -1.99%) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on treatments for metabolic and endocrine disorders. The stock has been extremely volatile since its 2015 IPO, swinging from under $1 per share to highs near $94 as investor sentiment has shifted around clinical trial results.
Today, Viking is best known for VK2735, an experimental obesity and diabetes drug that has put the company on investors’ radar as a potential future competitor to industry leaders like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. With no products on the market yet, Viking remains a speculative bet, but one with significant upside if its clinical programs succeed.
How to buy Viking Therapeutics stock
Since Viking Therapeutics is publicly traded, you can buy shares of the company like you would any other stock. Here’s what you need to know.
- Open your brokerage account: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for Viking Therapeutics: Enter the ticker "VKTX" into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Should you invest in Viking Therapeutics?
Viking is not a stock for conservative investors.
As a clinical-stage biotech stock, its valuation depends almost entirely on trial outcomes and regulatory progress. Any negative data can trigger sharp sell-offs, as seen in mid-2025 when concerns about tolerability and patient dropouts weighed on VK2735’s Phase 2 results.
Competition is another major risk. Established drugmakers like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk already dominate the GLP-1 market and are developing next-generation therapies that could limit Viking’s opportunity.
That said, the upside is substantial for investors with a high risk tolerance. The global obesity and diabetes drug market is projected to exceed $150 billion in the coming decade. In Phase 2 trials, VK2735’s injectable version delivered up to 14.7% weight loss in just 13 weeks at the highest dose -- results that, if replicated in late-stage trials, could support best-in-class positioning.
Viking also entered late 2025 with a strong cash position of about $715 million, giving it flexibility to continue development while exploring partnerships for non-core programs.

NASDAQ: VKTX
Key Data Points
Is Viking Therapeutics profitable?
Viking Therapeutics is not profitable. As a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, it does not generate revenue from product sales because it has no approved drugs on the market. It is likely to report significant net losses for the foreseeable future as it invests heavily in research and development (R&D) for its drug candidates.
Does Viking Therapeutics pay a dividend?
Viking Therapeutics does not pay a dividend and has never declared or paid any cash dividends. Management will focus on reinvesting capital to develop new therapies for metabolic and endocrine disorders.
Will Viking Therapeutics stock split?
Viking Therapeutics has never split its stock and probably won’t do so anytime soon. Considering the highest shares have recently traded at near $100, a stock split is unlikely to be a consideration for management in the near term.
The bottom line
Investing in Viking Therapeutics is a high-risk, high-reward proposition that is broadly centered on the success of its experimental weight-loss and diabetes drug VK2735. The company has no product revenue, so its future hinges entirely on successful clinical trials, regulatory approval, and potential commercialization of its drugs in the future.
While there has been speculation that Viking Therapeutics could pose a ripe acquisition target for a larger healthcare organization, this hasn’t yet materialized and may never happen. Long-term investors with a well-diversified portfolio who want to gain exposure to a newer player in the GLP-1 market might consider a position in the business, given its long-term potential.
However, if you’re looking for a company that already has established revenue or profit streams, it may be best to invest your money elsewhere.





















