Upstream Bio’s verekitug shows prevention of TSLP binding in respiratory disease

Upstream Bio (UPB) presented structural and mechanistic data showing verekitug’s potent pharmacodynamic activity through its approach of targeting the thymic stromal lymphopoietin, or TSLP, receptor. Data were presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress held September 27 – October 1 in Amsterdam. The company expects to continue to build the clinical dataset for verekitug with Phase 2 top-line data in severe asthma anticipated in the Q1 2026. In clinical trials, verekitug has demonstrated rapid, substantial, and sustained TSLP receptor inhibition for up to 24 weeks after the last dose. This unique mechanism of action may translate to a differentiated clinical profile with less frequent dosing as compared to currently approved biologic therapies. Verekitug outcompetes TSLP binding to the TSLP receptor even in the presence of preformed heterodimeric receptor complexes, inhibiting TSLP:TSLP receptor interaction. Lower abundance and slower turnover of the TSLP receptor compared to the TSLP ligand may drive the greater potency of verekitug, observed in vitro and across clinical datasets, compared to published data for tezepelumab. Blocking the TSLP receptor presents an opportunity for a single treatment to impact the drivers of multiple pathological inflammatory processes across a broad set of diseases.