$VKTX - Fascinating report by Piper! Several important quotes but I found the following commentary especially interesting: "On strategic interest (given all the Metsera news), mgmt. believes there’s broad interest, including from companies that are not household names and from pharma that publicly express no interest in obesity" Big Pharma that has publicly expressed no interest in obesity include $JNJ and Novartis. You could add in those that have expressed an interest in Obesity acquisitions which add $NVO, $BMY. Because Viking can reasonably get to market without big pharma (they don't need Big Pharma manufacturing capability or back end sales/distribution/insurance networks) there are a number of large private equity firms that are not household names who could make an offer. Think KKR, Blackstone, Bain Capital, Carlyle, etc. or maybe a consortium group that gets together to make a bid. Overall, I don't know if Viking gets bought out or maybe partners. IMO, if it goes it alone, that offers the greatest possible return but BL has stated a preference for a 3rd party involvement (but only at the right price). We shall see. I'm staying long term focused.

@Mufaso7 Which companies might Piper be including in the "not household names" category? (I dislike that phrase because it's not well-defined.)

Bain capital is already behind kailera. But you cited other great examples. I wonder what non household names he meant .. like $VRTX … $BIIB Companies that need to expand outside their niche. Or even $INSM that wants to be $100 B company ? $GILD for sure approached. They are outside MASH and obesity for now

@Mufaso7 Mufaso, my thoughts are BL is frustrated with the stock price and knows it haas to be higher (around the $50 range) for any company to them be able to pay 100%+ premium. Hard for the acq. to pay 250% and get Board approval. Believe this is the first time he has leaked this.

@Mufaso7 A friend also reminded me of $UNH as GLP1 represents big chunk of expenditure. A deal in obesity , like partnership with $VKTX could revitalize this company. But they need to look up and understand data. As they are pros in understanding market dynamics

@Mufaso7 Non traditional buyer looking at them. Would offer DTC. The billionaire looking at it is trying to see if the numbers work. I doubt he will pull the trigger

@Mufaso7 Berkshire should be snapping them up. Insane upside potential, they have more cash than the Treasury and they love great management.

@Mufaso7 “Management believes” is a heck of a caveat