Shares of Ventyx Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: VTYX) skyrocketed 90.82% in pre-market trading on Thursday following the company's announcement of positive results from a Phase 2 clinical trial for its drug candidate VTX3232. The study focused on patients with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors, showing promising outcomes in reducing inflammation markers associated with heart disease.
The Phase 2 trial, involving 175 participants, demonstrated that VTX3232 monotherapy led to a significant 78% reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels at week 12 compared to baseline. This result was statistically significant (p<0.0001) and far outperformed the placebo group, which saw a 3% increase in hsCRP levels. Notably, 69% of patients receiving VTX3232 achieved target hsCRP levels below 2mg/L, a key indicator of reduced cardiovascular risk.
Raju Mohan, CEO of Ventyx Biosciences, expressed optimism about the results, stating, "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 also reported that VTX3232 demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with adverse event rates similar to those of the placebo group. These positive outcomes have significantly boosted investor confidence in Ventyx's potential to address the high burden of disease caused by inflammation, particularly in the context of obesity and cardiovascular health.