# Vasa Therapeutics: VS-041 lowered NT-proBNP in HFpEF patients after 28 days in a phase 1c trial

- Published: 2026-11-14 05:45 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Medicine
- Tags: HFpEF, VS-041, Vasa Therapeutics, NT-proBNP reduction, MMP inhibitor, phase 1c trial, NCT07219511, endotrophin, fibroinflammation
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-b641b967aa59b59396a7fc5a_vasa_therapeutics_vs/

**Vasa Therapeutics reported topline phase 1c data for oral VS-041 in HFpEF: a significant NT-proBNP reduction after 28 days. The results are unreviewed and do not yet show clinical efficacy.**

![Vasa Therapeutics: VS-041 lowered NT-proBNP in HFpEF patients after 28 days in a phase 1c trial](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/8cbec2125c364d7b.webp)
*ad-hoc-news.de*

Biotech company Vasa Therapeutics reported positive topline results of a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 1c trial of the oral matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor VS-041 in November 2026, according to ad-hoc-news.de. The study (VS-041-102, NCT07219511) tested the drug on top of guideline-based standard therapy in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). [1]

According to the company, about 10 million people worldwide have this form of heart failure, around 3 million of them in the United States. [1]

## Results after 28 days

After 28 days of treatment, the trial showed a statistically significant reduction in NT-proBNP, a biomarker used in clinical practice as an indicator of cardiac wall stress. [1] The company stated that VS-041 was safe and well tolerated at the two doses studied, and that no serious drug-related adverse events occurred. [1]

The preliminary analysis did not disclose the specific doses, the administration schedule, the percentage reduction in NT-proBNP, possible dose-dependent effects or detailed side-effect profiles. [1]

The study was designed to enroll 42 participants at 21 sites in the United States. [1]

## Biomarker-based selection and next steps

To identify an HFpEF endotype with pronounced fibroinflammation, Vasa Therapeutics used serum endotrophin, measured with the NordicProC6 assay. [1] The company says this supports the concept of biomarker-guided patient enrichment, aimed at people who may benefit most from an anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic approach. [1]

For early 2027 the company plans exploratory analyses focused on markers of fibroinflammation and of extracellular matrix and collagen turnover. [1]

Development of the drug is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the Polish National Centre for Research and Development. [1] Besides VS-041, Vasa Therapeutics' pipeline includes four development programs targeting heart failure, arrhythmias, peripheral arterial disease, neuromuscular diseases and sarcopenia. [1]

The data are non-peer-reviewed topline results. Biochemical signals alone do not establish clinical efficacy or a lasting change in the course of the disease. [1] Larger later-phase studies will show whether the lower wall-stress marker translates into better exercise capacity and fewer hospital admissions. [1]

## Sources

1. [ad-hoc-news.de](https://www.ad-hoc-news.de/wissenschaft/hfpef-neuer-wirkstoff-vs-041-senkt-biomarker-nach-28-tagen-behandlung/70505206)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-b641b967aa59b59396a7fc5a_vasa_therapeutics_vs/