Upstream Bio to Present Verekitug Dose Study Results for Asthma at ATS Conference

Upstream Bio, Inc., a clinical-stage company based in Waltham, Massachusetts, is advancing its work on verekitug, a promising antagonist of the Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP) receptor. The company will present clinical data from its dose-ranging study on verekitug (UPB-101) in adults with asthma at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference in San Diego on May 22, 2024.

The presentation, scheduled for 8:15 A.M. PT, will be titled "A Multiple Ascending Dose Study with Verekitug, a Novel Antibody to the Human Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Receptor, in Adults with Asthma." Dr. Dave Singh will present the findings, and the session will focus on airway inflammation and immune response in asthma.

Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in the inflammatory response associated with major allergic and inflammatory conditions, including asthma. Disrupting TSLP signaling has been clinically validated as an effective treatment strategy. TSLP activation triggers a cascade of inflammatory responses, making it a prime target for intervention. Blocking the TSLP receptor (TSLPR) could potentially mitigate multiple inflammatory pathways involved in various diseases.

Verekitug is a recombinant fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds to TSLPR, inhibiting the signaling initiated by TSLP. Currently, verekitug is under evaluation in two Phase 2 clinical trials: the VALIANT trial for severe asthma (NCT06196879) and the VIBRANT trial for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) (NCT06164704). Preclinical studies have demonstrated that verekitug effectively occupies the TSLP receptor and inhibits TSLP signaling. It has shown the ability to inhibit cytokine production from both CD4+ T cells and ILC2 cells and completely suppressed skin allergic reactions in non-human primates, indicating its potential efficacy in various inflammatory conditions.

Three clinical trials have been completed for verekitug, including a Phase 1 single-ascending dose (SAD) trial and a Phase 1b multiple-ascending dose (MAD) trial. These trials revealed that verekitug was well tolerated, exhibited no significant immunogenicity, and had predictable and consistent pharmacokinetic properties with high subcutaneous bioavailability.

Upstream Bio is committed to realizing the full potential of verekitug as a first-in-class TSLP receptor antagonist. The company believes that verekitug can offer best-in-class efficacy for individuals with severe asthma, CRSwNP, and other related diseases. Beyond these initial indications, the company is optimistic about verekitug's broader potential in other inflammatory conditions where TSLP signaling is a key factor. Upstream Bio aims to leverage the unique attributes of verekitug to develop it as a therapeutic option for various diseases influenced by TSLP signaling.