Verve Therapeutics (VERV) reported Monday positive initial results from its phase 1b Heart-2 clinical trial evaluating VERVE-102, a gene editing therapy for patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and/or premature coronary artery disease.

Among 14 participants across three dose cohorts, the therapy delivered as a single infusion showed dose-dependent decreases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and PCSK9 protein levels. In the 0.6 mg/kg dose group, the mean LDL-C reduction was 53%, with a maximum reduction of 69%.

The therapy was well-tolerated, with no cardiovascular events, serious treatment-related adverse events, or dose-limiting toxicities, Verve Therapeutics said.

Verve is currently enrolling participants in a 0.7 mg/kg cohort in the UK, Canada, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand, and expects to present the final data in H2. A phase 2 trial is planned to start later in 2025, pending regulatory approval.

The company's shares were up over 29% in recent premarket activity.

Price: 4.22, Change: +0.96, Percent Change: +29.45