Verekitug Shows Positive Results in Severe Asthma Trial
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 5 days ago
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Should l Buy UPB?
Source: Newsfilter
- Clinical Trial Results: Verekitug demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in annualized asthma exacerbation rate (AAER) of 56% and 39% at doses of 100 mg every 12 weeks and 400 mg every 24 weeks, respectively, indicating its potential in treating severe asthma.
- Lung Function Improvement: At week 60, Verekitug improved forced expiratory volume (FEV1) by 122 mL and 139 mL at the 100 mg q12w and 400 mg q24w doses, respectively, highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing respiratory function in patients.
- High Patient Engagement: Over 90% of eligible patients have transitioned to the VALOUR long-term extension study, reflecting strong patient tolerance and willingness to continue, which further supports its clinical application prospects.
- Future Development Plans: Upstream Bio intends to rapidly advance Verekitug into Phase 3 trials for severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) following regulatory interactions, aiming to provide more effective treatment options for patients.
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Analyst Views on UPB
Wall Street analysts forecast UPB stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 12.800
Low
40.00
Averages
52.25
High
75.00
Current: 12.800
Low
40.00
Averages
52.25
High
75.00
About UPB
Upstream Bio, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for inflammatory diseases, with an initial focus on severe respiratory disorders. The Company is developing verekitug, the only known antagonist in clinical development, that targets the receptor for thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine which is a clinically validated driver of inflammatory response positioned upstream of multiple signaling cascades that affect a variety of immune mediated diseases. It has advanced this highly potent monoclonal antibody into separate phase II trials for the treatment of severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and plans to initiate development in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. TSLP is a member of a class of epithelial cytokines, also including IL-25 and IL-33, commonly referred to as alarmins. TSLP is primarily produced by epithelial cells, especially in the lung, gastrointestinal tract and skin.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Clinical Trial Results: Upstream Bio's VALIANT trial demonstrated a 56% reduction in asthma exacerbation rates with the 100 mg every 12 weeks dosing compared to placebo, yet this positive outcome was overshadowed by a more than 54% drop in stock price, indicating investor concerns about competitive positioning.
- Market Performance Analysis: While the broader healthcare sector remained stable, Upstream Bio's stock fell significantly, currently priced at $12.69, which is 10.2% above its 20-day and 30.5% above its 100-day simple moving averages, suggesting strong short-term momentum despite the decline.
- Analyst Ratings: Despite the stock's downturn, analysts maintain a strong buy rating with an average price target of $49.00, with Mizuho, LifeSci Capital, and Evercore ISI Group initiating outperform ratings at targets of $51.00, $43.00, and $40.00 respectively, reflecting confidence in the company's long-term potential.
- Technical Indicator Analysis: The current relative strength index (RSI) stands at 45.37, indicating a neutral position, while the MACD is below its signal line, suggesting bearish pressure on the stock, which combined with these technical indicators creates a complex market sentiment.
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- Unemployment Rate Decline: The unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to 4.3% in January from 4.4% in December, below market expectations of 4.4%, suggesting improvements in the labor market that could further boost consumption and economic growth.
- Accelerated Wage Growth: Average hourly earnings for private nonfarm employees rose by 0.4% to $37.17, a significant acceleration from December's 0.1% increase and exceeding expectations of 0.3%, which will enhance consumer purchasing power.
- Energy Stocks Outperform: Energy stocks rose by 2.4% on Wednesday, reflecting optimistic market expectations for energy demand, while oil prices increased by 1.3% to $64.80, potentially boosting profitability for related companies.
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- Significant Trial Results: The VALIANT trial demonstrated a 56% reduction in the annualized asthma exacerbation rate (AAER) for the 100 mg every 12 weeks dosing and a 39% reduction for the 400 mg every 24 weeks dosing, indicating the drug's potential in clinical applications.
- Lung Function Improvement: At week 60, the 100 mg quarterly dosing group showed a 20.4 ppb reduction in exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) compared to placebo, while the 400 mg biannual group showed a 26.3 ppb reduction, highlighting the drug's effectiveness in improving lung function.
- Good Patient Tolerance: Over 90% of eligible patients transitioned to the long-term extension study, indicating good drug tolerance, which may facilitate future market promotion and application.
- Future Trial Plans: The company plans to initiate registrational trials for severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps following regulatory interactions, demonstrating its strategic intent to expand in the respiratory disease sector.
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- Clinical Trial Success: Upstream Bio announced that its experimental asthma therapy, verekitug, succeeded in a mid-stage trial, although its stock fell approximately 12% in premarket trading, indicating market skepticism about future development.
- Significant Efficacy: In the Phase 2 VALIANT clinical trial, dosing of 100 mg every 12 weeks and 400 mg every 24 weeks achieved a 56% and 39% reduction in annualized asthma exacerbation rate (AAER), respectively, demonstrating clinical significance.
- Good Patient Tolerance: In the global trial, 90% of patients tolerated the experimental therapy well and advanced to the VALOUR long-term extension study, indicating good safety and tolerability, which will aid in future market adoption.
- Future Plans: Upstream Bio is planning to initiate Phase 3 trials for verekitug in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and severe asthma based on regulatory feedback, reflecting the company's confidence in the drug's future development.
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- Successful Clinical Trial: Upstream Bio's Phase 2 VALIANT trial results for Verekitug demonstrated significant efficacy, with a 56% reduction in annual asthma attacks at 100 mg and a 39% reduction at 400 mg, laying a solid foundation for the company's future market prospects.
- Positive Patient Response: The study involving 478 participants supported Verekitug's safety profile, with most patients showing improved lung function, indicating the drug's strong potential in treating severe asthma.
- Long-Term Study Expansion: More than 90% of eligible participants have enrolled in the VALOUR long-term extension trial to further assess the treatment's durability, providing additional data support for the drug's market launch.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following the encouraging trial results, Upstream Bio's shares surged nearly 20% in pre-market trading, reflecting investor confidence and expectations for the company's future growth.
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- Clinical Trial Results: Verekitug demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in annualized asthma exacerbation rate (AAER) of 56% and 39% at doses of 100 mg every 12 weeks and 400 mg every 24 weeks, respectively, indicating its potential in treating severe asthma.
- Lung Function Improvement: At week 60, Verekitug improved forced expiratory volume (FEV1) by 122 mL and 139 mL at the 100 mg q12w and 400 mg q24w doses, respectively, highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing respiratory function in patients.
- High Patient Engagement: Over 90% of eligible patients have transitioned to the VALOUR long-term extension study, reflecting strong patient tolerance and willingness to continue, which further supports its clinical application prospects.
- Future Development Plans: Upstream Bio intends to rapidly advance Verekitug into Phase 3 trials for severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) following regulatory interactions, aiming to provide more effective treatment options for patients.
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