Ventyx Biosciences Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Highlights Recent Corporate Progress

Rhea-AI Summary

Ventyx Biosciences (VTYX) reported Q3 2024 financial results and pipeline updates. The company maintains a strong cash position of $274.8 million, expected to fund operations into H2 2026. Net loss decreased to $35.2 million from $54.0 million in Q3 2023, while R&D expenses reduced to $30.6 million from $49.8 million.

Key pipeline developments include planned Phase 2 trials for VTX2735 in recurrent pericarditis and VTX3232 in obesity, both expected to initiate by year-end. Topline results from VTX3232's Phase 2a trial in early Parkinson's disease are anticipated in H1 2025. The company seeks partnership for tamuzimod's Phase 3 trial in ulcerative colitis.

Positive

• Strong cash position of $274.8M sufficient until H2 2026
• Reduced net loss by 35% YoY to $35.2M
• R&D expenses decreased by 39% YoY to $30.6M
• Positive Phase 1 results for VTX3232 showing dose-dependent efficacy

Negative

• VTX958 failed to meet primary endpoint in Crohn's disease Phase 2 trial
• Seeking external funding/partnership for tamuzimod Phase 3 trial indicates potential financial constraints
• Halting internal resource allocation to VTX958 development

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 results reveal a significant improvement in financial efficiency. $274.8M cash position provides a robust runway into H2 2026, while net loss decreased by $18.8M to $35.2M compared to Q3 2023. R&D expenses dropped 38.6% to $30.6M, indicating more focused resource allocation.

The pipeline strategy shift, particularly stepping back from VTX958 development and seeking partnership for tamuzimod, suggests prudent capital management. The company's focus on NLRP3 inhibitors (VTX3232 and VTX2735) with multiple Phase 2 trials starting by year-end represents a strategic pivot toward potentially more promising therapeutic areas.

However, investors should note that with multiple Phase 2 trials upcoming, cash burn could accelerate in 2025, though current reserves appear adequate for planned operations.

Medical Research Analyst

The strategic focus on NLRP3 inhibitors is particularly noteworthy. VTX3232's dual development path in Parkinson's and obesity/cardiometabolic conditions represents an innovative approach to targeting inflammation-driven diseases. The Phase 1 data showing CNS penetration and IL-1β inhibition supports its potential as a best-in-class candidate.

The decision to advance VTX2735 into recurrent pericarditis is well-supported by positive CAPS trial results, potentially addressing an unmet need in autoinflammatory diseases. The shift away from VTX958 in Crohn's disease, despite showing some biomarker improvements, reflects a pragmatic approach to pipeline prioritization.

Topline results from the Phase 2a trial of VTX3232 in patients with early Parkinson’s disease expected in H1 2025

Phase 2 trial of VTX3232 in subjects with obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors expected to initiate by year-end, with topline results anticipated in H2 2025

Phase 2 trial of VTX2735 in patients with recurrent pericarditis expected to initiate by year-end, with topline results anticipated in H2 2025

Cash balance of $274.8M as of September 30, 2024 expected to fund operations into at least H2 2026

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ventyx Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: VTYX) (“Ventyx”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing novel oral therapies that address a broad range of inflammatory diseases with significant unmet medical need, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and highlighted recent pipeline and business progress.

“Thanks to the continued execution of our team, we are on track to initiate a Phase 2 trial of VTX2735 in recurrent pericarditis and a Phase 2 obesity and cardiometabolic trial of VTX3232 by the end of this year, in addition to advancing enrollment in the ongoing Phase 2a trial of VTX3232 in patients with early Parkinson’s disease,” said Raju Mohan, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer. “With our potential best-in-class NLRP3 inhibitors, we believe we are well positioned to unlock the vast therapeutic potential of the inflammasome pathway.”

Pipeline Updates

NLRP3 Portfolio

• VTX3232 (CNS-penetrant NLRP3 Inhibitor): We initiated a Phase 2a trial of VTX3232 in participants with early Parkinson’s disease during the third quarter of 2024, with the primary goal of evaluating safety and key inflammatory biomarkers in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The trial also includes an exploratory endpoint of PET-tracer imaging as an assessment of microglial activation. We also expect to initiate a 12-week Phase 2 trial of VTX3232 in participants with obesity and additional cardiovascular and cardiometabolic risk factors by year-end. This trial will evaluate the effect of VTX3232 on key inflammatory and cardiometabolic biomarkers as well as on weight change, when dosed as a monotherapy and in combination with a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
  
  These Phase 2 trials follow positive topline results from the Phase 1 single- and multiple-ascending dose (SAD, MAD) trial of VTX3232 in adult healthy volunteers. In the Phase 1 trial, VTX3232 exhibited a dose-dependent and dose-linear pharmacokinetic profile with repeat once-daily doses of VTX3232 exceeding steady-state IL-1β IC₉₀ coverage in both plasma and CSF. We believe these data support the potential for VTX3232 as a best-in-class CNS-penetrant NLRP3 inhibitor for the treatment of neuroinflammatory and cardiometabolic diseases.

• VTX2735 (Peripheral NLRP3 Inhibitor): We expect to initiate a Phase 2 trial of VTX2735 in participants with recurrent pericarditis by year-end, with the goal of evaluating safety and the effect of VTX2735 on disease-relevant biomarkers and pain scores. We believe that by treating and preventing disease recurrence, VTX2735 has the potential to become the first approved oral therapy for recurrent pericarditis, a debilitating autoinflammatory disease associated with activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.
  
  We previously announced data from a Phase 2 trial of VTX2735 in participants with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), a group of rare autoinflammatory conditions caused by gain-of-function mutations in the NLRP3 gene. These proof-of-concept data demonstrated the therapeutic benefit of targeting NLRP3 in humans with evidence of strong efficacy and a favorable safety profile. We believe these results support the therapeutic potential of VTX2735 in recurrent pericarditis and numerous additional chronic peripheral inflammatory diseases.

IBD Portfolio

• Tamuzimod (formerly VTX002, S1P1R Modulator): We recently presented new long-term extension (LTE) data from the tamuzimod Phase 2 trial in patients with ulcerative colitis at the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week meeting in Vienna, Austria. These 52-week data continue to reinforce the potential best-in-class profile of tamuzimod in ulcerative colitis (UC) including a potential best-in-disease safety profile amongst all the oral options for UC therapy. We believe the high rates of clinical remission and endoscopic remission position tamuzimod as the backbone of future combination therapies. We intend to identify a partner or other source of non-dilutive financing to support the pivotal Phase 3 trial of tamuzimod in UC.
  
  
• VTX958 (TYK2 Inhibitor): As previously announced, VTX958 did not meet the primary endpoint of change from baseline in CDAI (symptomatic outcome) in a Phase 2 trial in patients with Crohn’s disease, due to abnormally high placebo response. VTX958 did demonstrate robust, dose-dependent, nominally statistically significant endoscopic response rates at Week 12, as measured by SES-CD (an objective endpoint), and showed a greater magnitude of decrease compared to placebo in two key biomarkers of inflammation, C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin. Recognizing the opportunity for a safe and effective oral TYK2 inhibitor as early-line therapy in Crohn’s disease, we are continuing the analysis of the Phase 2 data including data from the 52-week treat-through long-term extension phase to better understand the path forward for VTX958. At this time, we do not plan to commit significant internal resources to further development of VTX958.
  

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results:

• Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $274.8 million as of September 30, 2024. We believe our current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are sufficient to fund our planned operations into at least the second half of 2026.
• Research and Development (R&D) expenses: R&D expenses were $30.6 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $49.8 million for the third quarter of 2023.
• General and Administrative (G&A) expenses: G&A expenses were $7.9 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $8.2 million for the third quarter of 2023.
• Net loss: Net loss was $35.2 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared to $54.0 million for the third quarter of 2023.

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 needs with novel oral therapies that can shift inflammation and immunology markets from injectable to oral drugs. Our current pipeline includes internally discovered clinical programs targeting NLRP3, S1P1R and TYK2, positioning us to become a leader in the development of oral immunology therapies for peripheral and neuroinflammatory diseases. Ventyx is headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information about Ventyx, please visit www.ventyxbio.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Ventyx cautions you that statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on Ventyx’s current beliefs and expectations. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the potential of Ventyx’s product candidates, including the potential of VTX3232 and VTX2735, to emerge as a best-in-class NLRP3 inhibitor for the treatment of inflammatory, neuroinflammatory and cardiometabolic diseases and conditions, the potential of tamuzimod as a best-in-disease oral agent in Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and best-in-disease safety profile, and the potential of VTX2735 to be the first approved oral therapy for recurrent pericarditis and to have therapeutic potential in additional chronic peripheral inflammatory diseases; the design of clinical studies to be conducted by the Company; the anticipated timing for the initiation of a Phase 2 trial of VTX3232 subjects with obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors by year-end 2024, and the initiation of a Phase 2 trial of VTX2735 in recurrent pericarditis by year-end 2024; the timing of clinical updates for all three Phase 2 studies of VTX3232 and VTX2735, including the publication of any clinical data from these studies in 2025; the continued analysis of the Phase 2 data from the study of VTX958 in subjects with Crohn’s disease; management’s plans with respect to a potential pivotal Phase 3 trial for tamuzimod in UC, supported by a partner or other source of non-dilutive financing; management’s plans with respect to the commitment of internal resources toward development of VTX958; and the expected timeframe for funding Ventyx’s operating plan with current cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Ventyx that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Ventyx’s business, including, without limitation: potential delays in the commencement, enrollment and completion of clinical trials; Ventyx’s dependence on third parties in connection with product manufacturing, research and preclinical and clinical testing; disruptions in the supply chain, including raw materials needed for manufacturing and animals used in research, delays in site activations and enrollment of clinical trials; the results of preclinical studies and clinical trials; early clinical trials not necessarily being predictive of future results; interim results not necessarily being predictive of final results; the potential of one or more outcomes to materially change as a trial continues and more patient data become available and following more comprehensive audit and verification procedures; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate efficacy of Ventyx’s product candidates that may limit their development, regulatory approval and/or commercialization, or may result in recalls or product liability claims; Ventyx’s ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for its product candidates; the use of capital resources by Ventyx sooner than expected; and other risks described in Ventyx’s prior press releases and Ventyx’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including in Part II, Item 1A (Risk Factors) of Ventyx’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, filed on or about November 7, 2024, and Ventyx’s subsequent filings with the SEC.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Ventyx undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Investor Relations Contact
Joyce Allaire
Managing Director
LifeSci Advisors
IR@ventyxbio.com

Ventyx Biosciences, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(unaudited)
		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
			2024				2023				2024				2023
Operating expenses:
Research and development		$	30,629			$	49,750			$	92,181			$	133,747
General and administrative			7,923				8,201				23,851				23,901
Total operating expenses			38,552				57,951				116,032				157,648
Loss from operations			(38,552	)			(57,951	)			(116,032	)			(157,648	)
Other (income) expense:
Interest income			(3,350	)			(3,932	)			(10,360	)			(11,453	)
Other expense			47				8				99				14
Total other (income) expense			(3,303	)			(3,924	)			(10,261	)			(11,439	)
Net loss		$	(35,249	)		$	(54,027	)		$	(105,771	)		$	(146,209	)
Unrealized gain on marketable securities			922				192				741				544
Foreign currency translation			199				11				182				72
Comprehensive loss		$	(34,128	)		$	(53,824	)		$	(104,848	)		$	(145,593	)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted		$	(0.50	)		$	(0.92	)		$	(1.56	)		$	(2.51	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted			70,667,570				58,880,427				67,694,970				58,363,174

Ventyx Biosciences, Inc.
Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
		September 30,				December 31,
			2024				2023
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities		$	274,825			$	252,220
Working capital			277,105				242,080
Total assets			301,100				277,693
Total liabilities			22,328				33,770
Accumulated deficit			(524,958	)			(419,187	)
Total stockholders' equity			278,772				243,923

FAQ

What were Ventyx Biosciences (VTYX) Q3 2024 financial results?

VTYX reported a net loss of $35.2M, R&D expenses of $30.6M, and G&A expenses of $7.9M. The company had $274.8M in cash and equivalents as of September 30, 2024.

When will VTYX report topline results for VTX3232 in Parkinson's disease?

Ventyx expects to report topline results from the Phase 2a trial of VTX3232 in early Parkinson's disease in H1 2025.

What happened with VTYX's VTX958 drug trial?

VTX958 failed to meet the primary endpoint in the Phase 2 Crohn's disease trial due to high placebo response, though it showed dose-dependent endoscopic response rates at Week 12.