Ventus Therapeutics Named a “Fierce 15” Biotech Company of 2023

WALTHAM, Mass. & MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ventus Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company utilizing structural biology and a proprietary computational chemistry platform to develop a robust pipeline of novel medicines in immunology, inflammation, and neurology, today announced that it has been named a “Fierce 15” company in Fierce Biotech’s 2023 annual report featuring the most innovative and promising biotechnology companies in the industry.

Earlier this month, Ventus initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of its most advanced program, VENT-02, an oral, brain-penetrant NLRP3 inhibitor with best-in-class potential across multiple neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and refractory epilepsy. In addition to VENT-02, Ventus is also rapidly advancing its first-in-class cGAS inhibitor, VENT-03, towards the clinic for development in lupus, systemic sclerosis, and other inflammatory disorders. Despite significant efforts across the industry over the past decade to develop cGAS inhibitors, VENT-03 will be the first to enter the clinic, thereby demonstrating Ventus’ ability to drug challenging targets and create important new treatment options for patients.

“We are honored by Fierce Biotech’s recognition of the accomplishments of the Ventus team,” said Ventus President and CEO Marcelo Bigal, M.D., Ph.D. “Our scientific development has consistently translated into value. In addition to rapidly advancing VENT-02 and VENT-03, we recently entered into a high-value partnership with Novo Nordisk to develop VENT-01 in systemic inflammatory diseases, and we continue to leverage ReSOLVE^TM, our proprietary drug discovery platform, to further expand our pipeline with first-in-class and best-in-class programs for diseases of high unmet need.”

“For the past 21 years, we have assessed hundreds of early-stage companies for inclusion in the ‘Fierce 15' special report. To curate this list, we consider a diverse range of factors, including the robustness of their technology, partnerships, venture support, and their competitive positioning within the market,” said Ayla Ellison, Editor-in-Chief, Fierce Life Sciences and Healthcare. “Our special report celebrates innovation and creativity in the face of intense competition.”

About Fierce Biotech

Fierce Biotech is the biotech industry’s daily monitor, providing the latest news, articles, and resources related to clinical trials, drug discovery, FDA approval, FDA regulation, patent news, pharma news, biotech company news and more. More than 300,000 top biotech professionals rely on Fierce Biotech for an insider briefing on the day’s top stories.

About Ventus Therapeutics

Ventus Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company deploying leading-edge structural biology and computational chemistry tools to create novel small molecule medicines for challenging targets in immunology, inflammation, and neurology. The company’s proprietary drug discovery platform, ReSOLVE^TM, gives it the ability to discover and develop medicines through unique insights into protein targets and to create dynamic blueprints that can guide the development of differentiated therapies at a fast pace. Ventus’ first target screen was conducted in 2020, which led to the nomination of three development candidates in 2022, including: VENT-03, a potential first-in-class cGAS inhibitor; VENT-02, a brain-penetrant NLRP3 inhibitor; and VENT-01, a peripherally restricted NLRP3 inhibitor. Ventus entered the clinic with its most advanced program, VENT-02, in 2023, and the Phase 1 clinical trial is ongoing. These programs exemplify Ventus’ unique discovery capabilities and focus on first- and best-in-class programs for multi-indication immunology targets with franchise potential. For more information, please visit www.ventustx.com and engage with Ventus on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements about future expectations, plans, and prospects, including, but not limited to, statements related to the anticipated benefits of Ventus’ business strategy, pipeline programs, drug discovery platform, and financial position. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Ventus’ business, which include, without limitation, the timing, progress, and results of preclinical and clinical studies involving its development programs; the results of its earlier studies not being predictive of future results; its ability to enhance the ReSOLVE^TM platform; its ability to continue to obtain funding for its operations and to implement its business strategy; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business; anticipated developments related to its competitors and its industry; the performance of third-party service providers, including suppliers, manufacturers, and CROs; and its ability to obtain, maintain, and protect its intellectual property. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Ventus undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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