Verve Therapeutics has halted new patient enrollment in its Heart-1 trial due to a single patient experiencing liver and platelet abnormalities after treatment with VERVE-101.

The affected patient showed no symptoms from these abnormalities, which resolved within days, leading Verve to shift focus to developing VERVE-102.

VERVE-102, employing a different delivery mechanism, is cleared for the Heart-2 trial targeting familial hypercholesterolemia or premature coronary artery disease, launching in the second quarter of 2024.

In related biotech industry news, Roivant's successful Phase 2 autoimmune drug trial, Ipsen's new licensing deal, Otsuka's FDA-approved digital depression treatment, and legislative concerns over Chinese biotech companies are highlighted.

Gritstone bio reported disappointing preliminary Phase 2 cancer vaccine results, with no progression-free survival benefit observed.

Anticipated second quarter updates in biotech include potential breakthroughs in treatments for obesity, Parkinson's, Huntington's, essential tremor, and colorectal cancer, as well as the effects of healthcare cost inflation on Medicare.