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Verve Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VERV) is a cutting-edge biotechnology company headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With a mission to protect the world from heart disease, Verve is pioneering a transformative approach in cardiovascular care. The company leverages two major breakthroughs in 21st-century biomedicine—human genetics analysis and gene editing—to create life-changing therapies for coronary heart disease.
Verve Therapeutics is focused on developing single-course gene editing medicines to permanently lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in adults, thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. Their innovative treatments are designed to be administered once in a lifetime, offering a potential shift from chronic disease management to a one-time cure.
Founded by leading experts in cardiovascular medicine, human genetics, and gene editing, Verve has garnered substantial support from top-tier investors, including GV (formerly Google Ventures), Arch Venture Partners, and others. The company was recognized as a '2020 Best Places to Work' by the Boston Business Journal, highlighting its positive workplace culture and innovative environment.
Verve's flagship programs include VERVE-101, VERVE-102, and VERVE-201, each targeting genes validated for their role in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Specifically, VERVE-101 and VERVE-102 aim to permanently deactivate the PCSK9 gene, initially targeting patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) and eventually expanding to treat patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) who have not reached LDL-C goals using traditional therapies. Meanwhile, VERVE-201 targets the ANGPTL3 gene, focusing on patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) and refractory hypercholesterolemia.
Recent milestones for Verve Therapeutics include the first human proof-of-concept data for in vivo base editing from the ongoing heart-1 phase 1b clinical trial of VERVE-101. This study demonstrated dose-dependent reductions in disease-causing LDL-C in patients with HeFH. The company is also progressing with the heart-2 phase 1b clinical trial for VERVE-102 and plans to launch a phase 1b trial for VERVE-201 in the latter half of 2024.
In terms of financial performance, Verve maintains a solid cash position, with $624.0 million in cash and marketable securities as of December 31, 2023. This robust financial standing is augmented by strategic partnerships, including a significant collaboration with Eli Lilly, which involved a private placement and potential milestone payments up to $465 million.
Under the leadership of CEO Sekar Kathiresan, M.D., Verve is pushing the boundaries of cardiovascular disease treatment. The company's relentless commitment to scientific excellence and patient care positions it as a potential game-changer in the field of genetic medicine.
Verve Therapeutics announced the dosing of the first patient in the Heart-2 Phase 1b clinical trial evaluating VERVE-102, an investigational in vivo base editing medicine designed to reduce blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The trial is enrolling patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or premature coronary artery disease. VERVE-102 aims to permanently inactivate the PCSK9 gene in the liver, providing sustained reductions in LDL-C levels after a single treatment.
Verve Therapeutics granted equity awards to ten new employees under the company's 2024 Inducement Stock Incentive Plan. The employees received stock options and restricted stock units, totaling 64,200 shares and 56,100 RSUs. The options have an exercise price of $6.01 per share and will vest over four years, while the RSUs will vest annually over four years.