Ventyx Biosciences stock rating upgraded to Buy by H.C. Wainwright

Investing.com - H.C. Wainwright upgraded Ventyx Biosciences Inc (NASDAQ:VTYX) from Neutral to Buy on Wednesday, assigning a price target of $18.00. The stock has shown remarkable momentum, with InvestingPro data revealing a 486% price return over the past six months and nearly 10% in just the last week.

The upgrade follows promising Phase 2 trial results for Ventyx’s VTX3232 treatment for obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. H.C. Wainwright noted the data closely resembles results from IL-6 inhibitor pacibekitug, which Novartis acquired for $1.4 billion in September 2025. According to InvestingPro data, analysts are increasingly optimistic about Ventyx, with six analysts recently revising earnings upward and a consensus recommendation of 1.43 (strong buy).

VTX3232 demonstrated a 78% reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) from baseline compared to a 3% increase for placebo, with 69% of patients achieving target hsCRP levels below 2mg/L. This performance is comparable to pacibekitug’s 85% hsCRP reduction in its TRANQUILITY trial.

H.C. Wainwright highlighted VTX3232’s safety profile, noting no serious or opportunistic infections were reported in Phase 2 trials. The firm explained that VTX3232 takes a different approach by reducing IL-1β production via the NLRP3 inflammasome rather than directly targeting IL-1β.

The research firm also pointed to VTX3232’s potential convenience advantage as an oral once-daily medication compared to injectable IL-1β and IL-6 inhibitors, and mentioned upcoming data for Ventyx’s peripheral NLRP3 inhibitor VTX2735 in recurrent pericarditis expected in Q4 2025.

In other recent news, Ventyx Biosciences announced positive topline results from its Phase 2 study of VTX3232, targeting patients with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. The study, involving 175 participants, revealed that VTX3232, an oral NLRP3 inhibitor, led to significant reductions in key cardiovascular risk markers. Specifically, patients treated with VTX3232 monotherapy experienced a 78% reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein at week 12, contrasting with a 3% increase in the placebo group. Despite these promising results, H.C. Wainwright maintained its Neutral rating on Ventyx Biosciences. Meanwhile, Clear Street initiated coverage of Ventyx with a Buy rating and a price target of $11.00, citing potential future catalysts for NLRP3 inhibitors expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. These developments underscore the growing interest and potential opportunities surrounding Ventyx’s research in inflammation and cardiovascular risk management.

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