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

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). ad-hoc-news.dead-hoc-news.dead-hoc-news.deOpen source ↗

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

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. 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.

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. ad-hoc-news.dead-hoc-news.dead-hoc-news.deOpen source ↗

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

Biomarker-based selection and next steps

To identify an HFpEF endotype with pronounced fibroinflammation, Vasa Therapeutics used serum endotrophin, measured with the NordicProC6 assay. 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.

For early 2027 the company plans exploratory analyses focused on markers of fibroinflammation and of extracellular matrix and collagen turnover. ad-hoc-news.dead-hoc-news.dead-hoc-news.deOpen source ↗

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

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. Larger later-phase studies will show whether the lower wall-stress marker translates into better exercise capacity and fewer hospital admissions.