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Investing.com -- Shares of Verve Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VERV) surged 45% following the announcement of encouraging initial data from its Heart-2 Phase 1b clinical trial of VERVE-102, a gene-editing therapy aimed at reducing LDL cholesterol levels. The trial’s positive outcomes have heightened investor optimism, as the company revealed substantial LDL-C reductions and a favorable safety profile for the treatment.
Verve Therapeutics, based in Boston, reported on Monday that the Heart-2 trial, which involves patients with familial hypercholesterolemia or premature coronary artery disease, showed no serious adverse events related to the treatment. The most notable results were observed in the highest dose cohort, where a single infusion of VERVE-102 at 0.6 mg/kg led to an average LDL-C reduction of 53%, with a peak reduction of 69%.
The company’s proprietary GalNAc-LNP delivery technology has been highlighted as potentially best-in-class for safety. These findings are significant as they suggest that a single dose of VERVE-102 could provide a long-term solution for managing LDL-C levels, a key factor in the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death globally.
Eugene Braunwald, M.D. from Harvard Medical (TASE:BLWV) School, noted the potential of VERVE-102 to transform cardiovascular disease treatment, moving away from daily medications to a possible single-dose approach for sustained LDL-C lowering.
Verve Therapeutics also outlined its future plans, which include finalizing the Heart-2 dose escalation data and commencing a Phase 2 clinical trial in the second half of 2025. The company expects a decision from Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) regarding the PCSK9 opt-in during the same period.
The stock’s ascent reflects the market’s confidence in Verve’s innovative approach to gene editing for cardiovascular disease treatment. With the company’s capital position deemed sufficient to fund operations into mid-2027, investors appear to be bullish on Verve’s prospects and its potential to disrupt the current treatment paradigm for cardiovascular health management.
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