Upstream Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ:UPB) shares were trading higher during Wednesday’s premarket session following positive results from the Phase 2 VALIANT trial of verekitug, a treatment for severe asthma.
The stock gave up its gains and is falling, probably on profit booking.
Asthma Trial Data
The VALIANT trial demonstrated statistically significant reductions in the annualized asthma exacerbation rate (AAER) of 56% for the 100 mg every 12 weeks (quarterly) dosing and 39% for the 400 mg every 24 weeks (six months) dosing compared to placebo.
Additionally, verekitug showed clinically meaningful improvements in lung function and was well-tolerated, with over 90% of eligible patients transitioning to the long-term extension study.
At week 60, verekitug also suppressed exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) compared to placebo by 20.4 ppb (p<0.0003) when dosed at 100 mg quarterly, and by 26.3 ppb (p<0.0001) when dosed at 400 mg biannually.
These data represented a mean 43.5% reduction from baseline in the 100 mg quarterly group and a mean 44.9% reduction from baseline in the 400 mg biannual group.
A third low-dose treatment group, 100 mg biannual, demonstrated a statistically significant effect on AAER, but did not provide consistent improvements in other endpoints.
Additional pre-specified analyses of secondary outcomes at week 24 revealed statistically significant placebo-adjusted improvements compared to baseline in both FEV1 and FeNO with the 100 mg quarterly and 400 mg biannual dose regimens.
The company plans to initiate registrational trials in severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) following regulatory interactions.
In September 2025, Upstream Bio shared topline results from the Phase 2 VIBRANT trial of verekitug for CRSwNP.
Verekitug, dosed at 100mg every 12 weeks, met the primary endpoint and key secondary endpoints, demonstrating statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in both endoscopic nasal polyp score (NPS) and nasal congestion score (NCS), with a generally well-tolerated safety profile consistent with previous studies.
Upstream Bio Technical Analysis
Currently, the stock is trading 10.2% above its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) and 30.5% above its 100-day SMA, indicating strong short-term momentum. Over the past 12 months, shares have surged 292.24%, and they are currently positioned closer to their 52-week highs than lows.
The RSI is at 45.37, which is considered neutral territory, while the MACD is below its signal line, indicating bearish pressure on the stock. The combination of neutral RSI and bearish MACD suggests mixed momentum.
- Key Resistance: $33.50
- Key Support: $29.00
Analyst Consensus & Recent Actions: The stock carries an Outperform Rating with an average price forecast of $49.00. Recent analyst moves include:
- Mizuho: Initiated with Outperform (Target $51.00) (Dec. 18, 2025)
- LifeSci Capital: Initiated with Outperform (Target $43.00) (Dec. 2, 2025)
- Evercore ISI Group: Initiated with Outperform (Target $40.00) (Nov. 18, 2025)
UPB Price Action: Upstream Bio shares were up 15.07% at $32 during premarket trading on Wednesday when the news broke. The shares were down 25.39% at $20.75 as of last check on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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