-- Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) increased focus on maintenance dosing in its obesity program, with additional maintenance arms expected to further refine long-term dosing of VK2735, Oppenheimer said.
The company added four additional subcutaneous maintenance arms, bringing the total to eight, which are expected to inform dosing decisions for its Vanquish extension studies and ongoing maintenance evaluation.
Oppenheimer said in a Wednesday note that it expects data from the subcutaneous maintenance program in 3Q26, with flat weight loss outcomes viewed as a positive result. The brokerage said the company's approach to maintenance is differentiated from competitors and aligned with its healthy aging thesis.
The investment firm also said insights from new CCO Neil Aubuchon are helping refine VK2735's development strategy and overall product positioning.
Oppenheimer has an outperform rating on the stock with a price target of $100.
Shares of Viking were down 4.1% in Thursday trading.
Price: $30.02, Change: $-1.31, Percent Change: -4.18%