Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) and Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) have seen their revenue soar in recent times thanks to their weight loss drugs. The companies sell products that target key hormones involved in the regulation of blood sugar levels and appetite, and they've proven their efficacy in clinical trials and the real world.

All of this has helped the companies' shares soar to record highs, and considering demand for these products, the gains may be far from over. But one thing could upset the apple cart for these market giants, and that's potential competition. A young biotech, Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX), recently released positive trial data on its weight loss candidate, and it's very similar to the Lilly and Novo Nordisk drugs except for one difference. Could that detail help it top these leaders?

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Source Fool.com