Viking Global Investors Adjusts Portfolio by Dissolving Stake in Microsoft, Cutting Exposure to Meta and Boeing.

Viking Global Investors LP has reduced its stake in Microsoft and Boeing, and cut its holdings in Meta. The investment firm, with a background in Bloomberg, has made these changes to its portfolio.

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) is making strides in the obesity treatment market with the launch of its Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral trial. The trial, which began in January 2025, aims to test a daily pill version of VK2735 in obese and overweight adults, a move that could capitalize on Eli Lilly’s recent setback in the obesity treatment space [1].

The VENTURE-Oral trial will assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and weight-loss efficacy of once-daily oral dosing over a 13-week period. The primary endpoint is the percent change in body weight from baseline after 13 weeks of treatment. Analysts expect Viking to release results in the second half of 2025, with William Blair projecting an August readout [1].

William Blair, an analyst, expects the trial to show nearly 7% placebo-adjusted weight loss. This is a significant development, as Eli Lilly’s recent trial setback with orforglipron has created a clinical void for competitors to fill. The analyst believes that the oral tablet formulation of VK2735 could serve as a competitive option in the maintenance setting [1].

Viking Therapeutics initiated the VANQUISH Phase 3 clinical program for subcutaneous VK2735 in June 2025. In 2024, the company announced topline results from the Phase 2 VENTURE study of subcutaneous VK2735, demonstrating statistically significant reductions in mean body weight from baseline, ranging up to 14.7%, and statistically significant reductions in mean body weight relative to placebo, ranging up to 13.1% [1].

The success of the VENTURE-Oral trial could position Viking Therapeutics to expand treatment options beyond injections, offering patients a more convenient and potentially less invasive treatment option. The company’s stock, VKTX, is currently trading higher by 2.38% to $40.81 at the time of writing [1].

References:
[1] https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/25/08/47102552/vikings-oral-obesity-drug-poised-to-gain-ground-after-eli-lillys-orforglipron-setback-analyst