Upstream Bio reports 56% asthma reduction

• Upstream Bio reported Phase 2 VALIANT trial results showing verekitug reduced annualized asthma exacerbation rates by 56% versus placebo in adults with severe asthma.
• The 478-patient trial also showed improvements in lung function, inflammation markers, and asthma symptom control at week 24.
• Upstream Bio plans to begin Phase 3 trials for severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in Q1 2027.

Upstream Bio (NASDAQ:UPB) reported Phase 2 VALIANT trial results showing its verekitug treatment reduced annualized asthma exacerbation rates by 56% versus placebo in adults with severe asthma.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 478 patients globally and evaluated multiple verekitug dose levels regardless of baseline type-2 biomarker status.

The company reported that the 100 mg dose given every 12 weeks achieved the primary endpoint with a statistically significant reduction in exacerbations, while other dose groups also showed significant reductions and improvements in FEV1, FeNO, and ACQ-6 scores at week 24.

Upstream Bio said it plans to begin Phase 3 trials for severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in the first quarter of 2027 using a 400 mg every-12-week dosing schedule.

Upstream Bio develops treatments targeting immune system pathways involved in inflammatory diseases, with verekitug being evaluated for respiratory conditions including severe asthma.