Phase 2 Severe Asthma Trial Begins with Verekitug (UPB-101)

Upstream Bio, a biotech firm specializing in anti-inflammatory treatments, has commenced its Phase 2 VALIANT trial for verekitug (UPB-101), a monoclonal antibody for severe asthma patients. The drug targets the thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor (TLSPR) to mitigate inflammation, and it is also being studied for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).
In a previous multiple ascending dose study, verekitug showed a significant reduction in biomarkers related to asthma, leading to the initiation of the Phase 2 trial. The study's primary endpoint will be the annual asthma exacerbation rate (AAER), aiming to assess the drug's efficacy in treating severe asthma with various dosing intervals.
The VALIANT trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that will test subcutaneous injections of verekitug at different dosages and intervals. The company believes that verekitug could be a leading inhibitor of TSLP signaling due to its rapid, substantial, and sustained effects on relevant biomarkers.
Verekitug has demonstrated safety and tolerability in Phase 1 studies and has shown to be a potent inhibitor of TSLP-driven biology. It is the most advanced TSLP signaling inhibitor in development and has provided clinical data up to 32 weeks post-dose in asthma patients.
Asthma, a prevalent chronic lung condition, affects an estimated 350 million individuals globally, with 5-10% experiencing severe forms. CRSwNP, which often co-occurs with asthma, affects the sinuses and nasal passages and can significantly impact quality of life.
TSLP is a cytokine that initiates inflammatory responses in various allergic and inflammatory diseases. Blocking TSLP signaling is a therapeutic strategy that has shown clinical efficacy, as it can address the root of the disease before the involvement of other cytokines.
Upstream Bio is focused on developing verekitug to alleviate the impact of inflammatory and allergic diseases. The company has completed Phase 1b studies in asthma and has initiated Phase 2 studies for both CRSwNP and asthma, leveraging its team's extensive industry experience to advance treatments for these conditions.