Prefer to view this content on our website? Click here.
Dear Fellow Investor,
Three of the Top Obesity Stocks to Buy and Hold Today
Obesity and metabolic disorders remain two of the most pressing global health challenges, and two of the most lucrative opportunities in modern biopharmaceuticals. With worldwide obesity rates continuing to climb, analysts expect the market for weight-loss drugs to surge to $100 billion or more by the early 2030s. Some estimates even suggest the total addressable market could stretch beyond $150 billion, making it one of the largest and fastest-growing segments in all of healthcare.
That’s why we’ve been pounding the table on obesity-drug developers for the last several years. What started as a niche opportunity has quickly become one of Wall Street’s biggest megatrends, one that has already produced enormous winners and could continue fueling substantial returns in the years ahead.
We frequently highlight Viking Therapeutics (SYM: VKTX) and Structure Therapeutics (SYM: GPCR) as two of the most compelling emerging players. But now, another heavyweight deserves a spot on the list: Eli Lilly (SYM: LLY), a company rapidly solidifying its dominance in the obesity and diabetes markets.
Below is a deeper look at three of the top stocks that long-term investors may want to buy, hold, and let compound as the obesity-drug industry enters its next major growth phase.
Company: Eli Lilly (SYM: LLY)
A Market Leader With Room to Run
Eli Lilly has become one of the biggest winners in the GLP-1 space, thanks to its obesity and diabetes therapies Zepbound and Mounjaro, both of which continue to exceed expectations. With demand for GLP-1 treatments soaring worldwide, analysts have consistently raised their outlook for Lilly, and the latest revisions are among the most bullish yet.
Bank of America recently reiterated a buy rating on Eli Lilly and raised its price target from $950 to $1,286, citing the company’s commanding lead in next-generation metabolic treatments. The firm notes that Lilly remains firmly in first place in the obesity and diabetes categories, with a robust GLP-1 franchise and a development roadmap that is years ahead of many competitors.
One of the most exciting developments is the company’s progress on its new oral obesity medication. While injections dominate the market today, oral GLP-1–based therapies could dramatically expand global adoption. Bank of America now believes Eli Lilly may launch its new oral obesity drug in early 2026, rather than later in the year, an acceleration that could unlock billions in additional market opportunity.
Given that obesity treatment is quickly becoming one of the most competitive pharmaceutical battlegrounds, Lilly’s momentum is impossible to ignore. The company’s scale, manufacturing capabilities, and broad clinical pipeline give it a formidable advantage that smaller biotech firms will struggle to match.
Bottom line: Eli Lilly remains one of the premier long-term plays in the global obesity-drug revolution.
Edge on the Street
A Tiny Biotech Just Posted 10× Stronger Cancer Results
Early studies show this breakthrough delivery platform would make cancer treatments safer and more powerful. Now, with Big Pharma watching closely, investors are starting to take notice of what could be the next major biotech story.
Discover the company behind this breakthrough
Company: Viking Therapeutics (SYM: VKTX)
A High-Growth Contender With Breakthrough Potential
While Eli Lilly is the large-cap powerhouse of the obesity market, Viking Therapeutics is one of the most intriguing emerging players, one that continues to generate strong clinical results and heightened investor interest.
Trading at around $34.94, VKTX has already seen periods of explosive upside and could do so again if its obesity trials continue to move in the right direction. The company recently initiated its VANQUISH Phase 3 clinical program for VK2735, a dual agonist targeting both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. This dual-agonist approach is especially exciting because early data from other companies suggest that dual or tri-agonists could deliver superior weight-loss outcomes compared to single-pathway drugs.
Viking is pursuing both oral and subcutaneous formulations of VK2735, giving it multiple shots on goal in a market expected to remain underserved for years. The company is aggressively broadening its development pipeline, with additional studies planned that could enhance the drug’s long-term positioning.
According to CEO Brian Lian, Ph.D., Viking is making progress not only on the flagship Phase 3 study, but also on plans to launch a clinical trial evaluating a monthly maintenance regimen, a major convenience advantage if successful. In addition, Viking expects to release results from its Phase 2 VENTURE-Oral Dosing study in the second half of this year, which could serve as a major catalyst.
There’s also the ongoing takeover speculation.
Rumors continue to circulate that major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, which has openly stated its interest in expanding its obesity pipeline, could potentially acquire Viking Therapeutics. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has repeatedly said the company is evaluating strategic deals to strengthen its obesity-treatment portfolio after setbacks with its own GLP-1 program.
With promising clinical data, accelerating trial progress, and the ever-present possibility of M&A, VKTX remains one of the most explosive opportunities in the obesity-drug space.
Company: Structure Therapeutics (SYM: GPCR)
Strong Data and a Big Catalyst on the Horizon
Another major contender in the race for obesity-drug dominance is Structure Therapeutics, a company that continues to impress with both its clinical results and development speed.
GPCR recently announced positive topline data from its Phase 2a obesity study of GSBR-1290, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist. According to the company, the study demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant placebo-adjusted mean weight loss of 6.2% at just 12 weeks, a highly encouraging result for an early-stage oral candidate.
What makes GSBR-1290 particularly exciting is that it aims to deliver GLP-1–like results without injections, positioning it as a direct competitor to the oral programs being developed by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. While competition will be fierce, the size of the global obesity market is exceptionally large, big enough to support multiple winners.
Structure Therapeutics is now preparing to initiate a 36-week Phase 2b study of GSBR-1290 in the fourth quarter of this year. If the longer-duration study continues to show strong efficacy and safety, GPCR shares could climb aggressively higher, especially with major pharmaceutical companies hunting for oral obesity-drug assets.
Because oral GLP-1 therapies are viewed as the next major frontier in metabolic disease treatment, companies like Structure Therapeutics could be extremely well-positioned as the market evolves.
Stansberry Research
Are there any other healthcare/biotech stocks you're buying right now? What other sectors of the market are you currently interested in? Hit "reply" to this email and let us know your thoughts!
