Ventyx's Cardiovascular Drug Shows Promise in Phase 2 Study

Ventyx Biosciences has reported promising results from a phase 2 study of its oral NLRP3 inhibitor, VTX3232, for cardiovascular disease. The drug demonstrated significant reductions in key biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk, particularly when used as a monotherapy.

Impressive Biomarker Reductions

In the 12-week study involving 175 patients with cardiovascular risk factors and obesity, VTX3232 showed a remarkable 78% reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels compared to a 3% increase in the placebo group. This effect was observed within the first week of treatment and maintained throughout the study period.

Notably, 69% of patients receiving VTX3232 achieved the target hsCRP level of less than 2 mg/L, a critical threshold for determining residual inflammatory risk. The drug also led to statistically significant reductions in other cardiovascular disease biomarkers, including IL-6, Lp(a), fibrinogen, and ESR.

Safety Profile and Combination Therapy

VTX3232 demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with the proportion of patients experiencing treatment-emergent adverse events similar between the VTX3232 and placebo groups (46% and 49%, respectively). The drug was well-tolerated both as a monotherapy and in combination with Novo Nordisk's semaglutide.

When combined with semaglutide, VTX3232 showed significant reductions in hsCRP, IL-6, fibrinogen, ESR, Lp(a), and liver inflammation compared to semaglutide alone. Patients with at least 5% baseline liver fat who received the combination treatment experienced a statistically significant reduction in liver inflammation, as measured by cT1 levels.

Market Response and Future Prospects

The positive phase 2 results led to a significant market response, with Ventyx's stock price surging 84% in early trading following the announcement. While the company has not yet disclosed specific plans for further development of VTX3232, executives expressed optimism about its potential.

Ventyx CEO Raju Mohan, Ph.D., stated, "The effect we see in this study on IL-6, hsCRP, Lp(a), and other markers of aberrant systemic inflammation, leads us to believe VTX3232 holds promise for a new generation of oral anti-inflammatory therapies that, orthogonal to lipid lowering, may further reduce the risk of cardiovascular events."

The company is also exploring the use of VTX3232 in Parkinson's disease through an ongoing phase 2 study, further expanding its potential applications in addressing inflammation-related disorders.