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Verekitug

Phase 2

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Small molecule | Respiratory |Upstream Bio, Inc.|Last Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Target and mechanism

Molecular targetTSLPR
ModalitySmall molecule

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

RandomizedDouble-BlindPLACEBO_CONTROLLEDDMC
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment666

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

Verekitug · 4 trials · 3 indications

Phase 2 4
NCT06981078A Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Verekitug in Participants With COPDChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING666 Analytics
NCT06966479A Long-Term Safety and Efficacy Study of Verekitug (UPB-101) in Adult Participants With Severe Asthma (VALOUR)Severe Asthma
ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING396 Analytics
NCT06196879A Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Verekitug (UPB-101) in Adult Participants With Severe Asthma (VALIANT)Severe Asthma
COMPLETED479 Analytics
NCT06164704A Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Verekitug (UPB-101) in Participants With Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal PolypsChronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
COMPLETED81 Analytics
PHASE2ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING
A Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Verekitug in Participants With COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseUnlock trial analytics
PHASE2ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING
A Long-Term Safety and Efficacy Study of Verekitug (UPB-101) in Adult Participants With Severe Asthma (VALOUR)
Severe AsthmaUnlock trial analytics
PHASE2COMPLETED
A Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Verekitug (UPB-101) in Adult Participants With Severe Asthma (VALIANT)
Severe AsthmaUnlock trial analytics
PHASE2COMPLETED
A Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Verekitug (UPB-101) in Participants With Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal PolypsUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Annualized rate of moderate or severe COPD exacerbation events
From Day 1 (Baseline) up to Week 108
Number of Participants with Adverse Events (AEs) and Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)
From VALOUR baseline up to Week 64

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant who received study drug without regard to possibility of causal relationship. SAE is an AE resulting in any of the following outcomes or deemed significant for any other reason: death; initial or prolonged inpatient hospitalization; life-threatening experience (immediate risk of dying); persistent or significant disability/incapacity; congenital anomaly.

Annual Asthma Exacerbation Rate (AAER)
Baseline up to Week 60

An asthma exacerbation is defined as a worsening of asthma that required treatment with systemic (oral or intravenous) corticosteroids for at least three consecutive days or a single depo-injectable dose of corticosteroids or an emergency room (ER) or urgent care visit that required systemic corticosteroids or an admission to an inpatient facility and/or evaluation and treatment in a healthcare facility for greater than or equal to 24 hours.

Change From Baseline in Nasal Polyp Score (NPS) at Week 24
At Week 24

Bilateral endoscopic NPS is a physician-reported scoring system to estimate the extent or severity of nasal polyps (NPs) based on assessments by nasal endoscopy. Each nostril is scored on a categorical scale of 0 to 4. The total score is the sum of the right and left scores (0-8). A higher score means severe disease.

Secondary Endpoints

Change in pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory capacity in 1 second (FEV1)
From Day 1 (Baseline) to Week 60
Annualized rate of severe COPD exacerbation events
From Day 1 (Baseline) up to Week 108
Change in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score
From Day 1 (Baseline) to Week 60
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingQUADRUPLE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
Verekitug (UPB-101) 100 mg and PlaceboEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 0.5 milliliter (mL) of the formulated solution (containing 100 milligrams \[mg\] of verekitug \[UPB-101\]) and 2.0 mL of matching placebo subcutaneously in two separate injections every 12 weeks up to Week 96.
Verekitug (UPB-101) 400 mg and PlaceboEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 2.0 mL of the formulated solution (containing 400 mg of verekitug \[UPB-101\]) and 0.5 mL of matching placebo subcutaneously in two separate injections every 24 weeks up to Week 96. Participants will also receive 2.0 mL and 0.5 mL of matching placebo subcutaneously in two separate injections at Weeks 12, 36, 60 and 84 visits.
PlaceboPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants will receive 0.5 mL of matching placebo and 2.0 mL of matching placebo subcutaneously in two separate injections every 12 weeks up to Week 96.
Verekitug 100 mg Q12W and PlaceboEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 0.5 mL of verekitug (100 mg) and 2.0 mL of matching placebo, subcutaneous (SC) injections, every 12 weeks (Q12W) for up to 48 weeks.
Verekitug 400 mg Q24W and PlaceboEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 2.0 mL of verekitug (400 mg) and 0.5 mL of matching placebo, SC injections, at Weeks 24 and 48 visits. Participants will also receive 2.0 mL and 0.5 mL of placebo subcutaneously in two separate injections at Weeks 12 and 36 visits.
Verekitug (UPB-101): 100 mg Q12W / PlaceboEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 0.5 milliliter (mL) of verekitug (UPB-101) formulated solution (containing 100 milligrams \[mg\] of verekitug \[UPB-101\]) and 2.0 mL of placebo subcutaneously in two separate injections every 12 weeks up to Week 48.
Verekitug (UPB-101): 400 mg Q24W / PlaceboEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 2.0 mL of verekitug (UPB-101) formulated solution (containing 400 mg of verekitug \[UPB-101\]) and 0.5 mL of placebo subcutaneously in two separate injections every 24 weeks up to Week 48. Participants will also receive 2 mL and 0.5 mL of placebo subcutaneously in two separate injections at Weeks 12 and 36 visits.
Verekitug (UPB-101): 100 mg Q24W / PlaceboEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 0.5 mL of verekitug (UPB-101) formulated solution (containing 100 mg of verekitug \[UPB-101\]) and 2.0 mL of placebo subcutaneously in two separate injections every 24 weeks up to Week 48. Participants will also receive 2 mL and 0.5 mL of placebo subcutaneously in two separate injections at Weeks 12 and 36 visits.
Verekitug (UPB-101)EXPERIMENTALParticipants will be administered 0.5 milliliter (mL) of verekitug (UPB-101) formulated solution (containing 100 milligrams \[mg\] of verekitug \[UPB-101\]) subcutaneously, every 12 weeks for 24 weeks.
Matching placeboPLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants will be administered verekitug (UPB-101) matching placebo solution, subcutaneously, every 12 weeks for 24 weeks.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
VerekitugDRUGVerekitug (UPB-101) formulated solution
PlaceboOTHERMatching Placebo to Verekitug (UPB-101)
Verekitug (UPB-101)DRUGVerekitug (UPB-101) formulated solution
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range40 Years to 85 Years
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites242

Inclusion Criteria: * Physician diagnosis of COPD for \>12 months. * Current or former smokers with a smoking history of 10 pack-years or more. * Post-bronchodilator FEV1/ Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) ratio \<0.70 and predicted post-bronchodilator FEV1 \>30% and ≤80%. * Modified Medical Research Cou...

Countries:United StatesArgentinaBulgariaChileCzechiaGeorgiaGermanyHungaryIndiaIrelandLatviaLithuaniaMalaysiaPhilippinesPolandRomaniaSerbiaSlovakiaSouth KoreaSpainTaiwanUkraineUnited KingdomCanadaItalyJapanSouth Africa
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Recent Changes (Last 90 Days)

LOWJul 20, 2026NCT06981078primaryCompletionDate: changed
LOWJul 20, 2026NCT06981078primaryCompletionDate: changed

Frequently asked questions about Verekitug

What is Verekitug used for?

Verekitug is an investigational small molecule being developed for respiratory conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and severe asthma. It is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for these indications.

What does Verekitug target?

Verekitug targets TSLPR, the thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor. By targeting this receptor, the drug is designed to modulate pathways involved in respiratory inflammation. It is being studied in conditions such as severe asthma and COPD.

Who makes Verekitug?

Verekitug is being developed by Upstream Bio, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company. The company's stock is traded under the ticker symbol UPB.

What phase is Verekitug in?

Verekitug is in Phase 2 clinical development. It is an investigational drug and has not been approved by regulatory authorities. Clinical trials are ongoing or completed for severe asthma, COPD, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

What clinical trials is Verekitug in?

Verekitug is being studied in several Phase 2 trials. NCT06981078 evaluates it in COPD, NCT06966479 (VALOUR) and NCT06196879 (VALIANT) assess it in severe asthma, and NCT06164704 investigates it for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. These trials are placebo-controlled and double-blind.

Is Verekitug the same as UPB-101?

Yes, Verekitug is also known as UPB-101. Clinical trial titles refer to the drug as Verekitug (UPB-101), confirming that both names identify the same investigational therapy.