The Phase 1 results support progression of VTX2735 into Phase 2 clinical trials. The initial Phase 2 trial is being planned in cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), a rare autoinflammatory condition characterized by IL-1b-mediated inflammation. This trial is intended to establish that VTX2735 can inhibit IL-1b in a similar fashion as IL-1b-targeted antibody therapy and other related IL-1b-antagonists, which have established clinical efficacy in CAPS and other inflammatory diseases, while further characterizing the profile of VTX2735 and its impact on IL-1b and IL-18, along with pyroptosis. It is expected that this trial will initiate in the fourth quarter of 2022. The profile of VTX2735 offers the opportunity to exploit the full therapeutic potential of systemic NLRP3 inhibition across a number of chronic inflammatory conditions, including atherosclerosis and cardiometabolic diseases.
VTX2735 is the first of Ventyx’s two NLRP3 development candidates to enter the clinic. The second candidate, VTX3232, is an orally bioavailable, CNS-penetrant NLRP3 inhibitor and belongs to a structurally distinct chemical series than VTX2735. VTX3232 is currently in IND-enabling studies and is expected to start Phase 1 trials in the first quarter of 2023. True CNS-penetrant NLRP3 inhibitors, such as VTX3232, offer potential therapeutic utility in a broad range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease.
“I am very excited about the progress the Ventyx team has made on our NLRP3 inhibitor portfolio and the emerging clinical profile of VTX2735,” said Raju Mohan, PhD, Chief Executive Officer. “Today’s update marks the first of two clinical updates expected this summer as we continue to advance our differentiated portfolio of clinical candidates across multiple immune-mediated diseases. We look forward to sharing data from the Phase 1 trial of VTX958, our oral, selective TYK2 inhibitor, in the third quarter.”
About the NLRP3 Inflammasome
Activated NLRP3 acts as a ‘danger sensor’ in the body to release the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1b, IL-18 and induce uncontrolled, lytic cell death (pyroptosis). These processes lead to chronic inflammation, and as such, NLRP3 has been implicated in a large number of diseases.
About Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes
Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), also called cryopyrin-associated autoinflammatory syndromes, are three diseases related to a defect in the NLRP3 gene. CAPS encompasses neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID), Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS) and familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS). The differences in these diseases lie in their severity and the organs involved.
About Ventyx Biosciences
Ventyx is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative oral medicines for patients living with autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. We believe our ability to efficiently discover and develop differentiated drug candidates will allow us to address important unmet medical need with novel oral therapies that can shift immunology markets from injectable to oral drugs. Our current pipeline includes three clinical-stage programs targeting TYK2, S1P1R and NLRP3, positioning us to become a leader in the development of oral immunology therapies. Ventyx is headquartered in Encinitas, California. For more information about Ventyx, please visit www.ventyxbio.com.
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