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Ventyx Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: VTYX) experienced a dramatic surge on October 23, 2025, with shares rocketing over 105% following the announcement of positive Phase 2 clinical trial results for VTX3232, an experimental oral therapy targeting cardiovascular disease. The stock opened at $7.50, up from a previous close of $3.86, and reached an intraday high of $7.82 during intense trading that saw over 85 million shares change hands—roughly 68 times the normal daily volume.

The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company’s announcement represents a potential breakthrough in addressing inflammation-driven cardiovascular risk, a condition affecting millions of patients worldwide.

Phase 2 Trial Demonstrates 80% Inflammation Reduction in One Week

The 175-participant Phase 2 study evaluated VTX3232 as both a standalone treatment and in combination with semaglutide (a diabetes/weight-loss medication) against placebo in patients with obesity and elevated cardiovascular risk factors.

The trial specifically targeted patients with high levels of hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), a marker of inflammation that strongly predicts future cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. Think of hsCRP as a warning signal in the blood that indicates dangerous inflammation in the body’s blood vessels.

The results were striking: patients taking VTX3232 alone saw their hsCRP levels drop by approximately 78-80% within the first week of treatment, and these reductions were maintained throughout the full 12-week study period. In contrast, placebo patients actually saw a slight 3% increase in inflammation markers.

Additionally, 69% of patients achieved target hsCRP levels below 2mg/L—the critical threshold doctors use to assess cardiovascular risk. The drug also significantly reduced other inflammation markers including IL-6, lipoprotein(a), fibrinogen, and liver inflammation, all of which contribute to heart disease risk.

Importantly, VTX3232 was safe and well-tolerated, with adverse events comparable to placebo. However, the treatment did not result in weight loss either alone or when combined with semaglutide. According to CEO Raju Mohan, PhD, “VTX3232 holds promise for a new generation of oral anti-inflammatory therapies that, orthogonal to lipid lowering, may further reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.” The drug works by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key component of the body’s inflammatory response system.

Stock Climbs to $6.99 Amid Bullish Wall Street Outlook

As of 11:32 AM EDT on October 23, 2025, VTYX stock was trading at $6.99, representing an 81.09% gain for the day. The stock has demonstrated remarkable momentum in 2025, climbing 213.24% year-to-date and over 210% in the past 12 months. The company’s market capitalization expanded to approximately $489.5 million following the announcement, reflecting renewed investor confidence in the drug’s commercial potential.

Wall Street analysts maintain a “Strong Buy” consensus rating on Ventyx Biosciences, with five Buy ratings and one Hold rating issued over the past three months. The average price target of $13.75 suggests substantial upside potential of approximately 256% from pre-announcement levels, though analysts will likely reassess these targets following today’s data release. The stock’s 52-week range of $0.78 to $7.82 illustrates the volatility typical of clinical-stage biotech companies, where trial results can dramatically shift valuations.

The company plans to provide updates on continued development plans for VTX3232 in future disclosures and will present additional data at upcoming medical conferences. With cardiovascular disease remaining the leading cause of death globally, and growing evidence that targeting inflammation—separate from cholesterol management—can reduce heart attack and stroke risk, VTX3232 represents a potentially transformative opportunity.

Ventyx’s portfolio also includes VTX2735 (in Phase 2 for recurrent pericarditis), tamuzimod for ulcerative colitis, and cenacitinib for inflammatory bowel disease, providing multiple potential value drivers beyond the cardiovascular indication.

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