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Feb 23, 2026 4:00 PM

Viking Therapeutics Stock Gains Amid Obesity Drug Buzz

Viking Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:VKTX) shares are up on Monday, in reaction to data from Novo Nordisk A/S’ (NYSE:NVO) REDEFINE 4 Phase 3 trial of CagriSema (a fixed dose combination of cagrilintide 2.4 mg and semaglutide 2.4 mg) compared to tirzepatide 15 mg.

Novo Nordisk’s stock hit a 52-week low after its REDEFINE 4 trial failed to demonstrate non-inferiority in weight loss compared to Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, marketed under the Zepbound and Mounjaro brands.

The trial showed a weight loss of 20.2% with CagriSema versus 23.6% with tirzepatide, leading to a significant drop in Novo Nordisk shares.

The REDEFINE 4 trial involved 809 subjects over 84 weeks, and while CagriSema demonstrated a safe profile, the results did not meet expectations.

William Blair analyst Andy Hsieh on Monday wrote that due to the most optimal efficacy/tolerability balance, the GLP-1/GIP dual agonist class will continue to command market leadership in the U.S. ...