Better GLP-1 Stock to Buy: Eli Lilly or Viking Therapeutics?

Eli Lilly dominates the GLP-1 obesity and diabetes market with approved products generating significant revenue, while Viking Therapeutics remains a clinical-stage bet on pipeline potential. In Q2, Lilly's tirzepatide franchise delivered $9.9 billion from Mounjaro and $4.9 billion from Zepbound, cementing its commercial leadership in the space.

Viking Therapeutics offers a binary risk-reward profile centered on VK2735, its GLP-1 candidate that posted strong phase 2 results. The company now faces the critical phase 3 trial hurdle that will determine whether it can compete with Lilly's established portfolio.

The Motley Fool recommends Lilly as the lower-risk choice, citing its proven revenue base and limited downside compared to Viking's clinical-stage volatility. Viking carries higher upside potential if phase 3 trials succeed, but that outcome remains uncertain. Lilly's tirzepatide products continue scaling commercially, reducing execution risk for investors prioritizing cash flow over speculative biotech returns.