Viking Therapeutics' Obesity Treatment Shows Promising Results, Sends Stock Soaring.

Viking Therapeutics' experimental obesity treatment, which activates hormones GLP-1 and GIP, resulted in patients losing up to 18 pounds and caused the company's stock to soar to a five-year high. The drug's weight-loss effect appears durable and the majority of side effects were mild or moderate. Viking plans to test an oral version of the drug, which could be an alternative to weekly injections. The company is competing against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in the burgeoning obesity treatment market.