8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

May1, 2014

VITAL THERAPIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-36201	56-2358443
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

15010 Avenue of Science, Suite 200

San Diego, CA 92128

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(858) 673-6840

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01. Other Information.

On May 1, 2014, Vital Therapies, Inc. issued a press release announcing that the 100^th subject in its VTI-208 Phase 3 randomized, controlled clinical trial of 200 subjects with alcohol-induced liver decompensation, or AILD. A copy of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release of Vital Therapies, Inc., dated May 1, 2014.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	VITAL THERAPIES, INC.
By:	/s/ Michael V. Swanson
	Michael V. Swanson Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 1, 2014

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release of Vital Therapies, Inc., dated May 1, 2014.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

VITAL THERAPIES, INC. REACHES MIDPOINT FOR ENROLLMENT IN VTI-208

SAN DIEGO, CA—(Marketwire – May 1, 2014)— Vital Therapies, Inc., a biotherapeutic company developing a cell-based therapy targeting the treatment of acute liver failure, today announced that the 100^th subject has been enrolled in VTI-208, a Phase 3 randomized, controlled clinical trial in 200 subjects with alcohol-induced liver decompensation, or AILD.

The 100^th subject was enrolled in late April of 2014, and 50 clinical sites in the United States, Europe and Australia are currently open for enrollment. The company continues to anticipate the release of preliminary data from VTI-208 in the first half of 2015.

About Vital Therapies, Inc.

Vital Therapies, Inc. is a biotherapeutic company developing a cell-based therapy targeting the treatment of all forms of acute liver failure. The company’s lead product-candidate, ELAD, is an extracorporeal bio-artificial liver currently in Phase 3 clinical trials. Vital Therapies, Inc. is based in San Diego, California. Vital Therapies^® and ELAD^® are trademarks of Vital Therapies, Inc.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding Vital Therapies, Inc.‘s current clinical study and anticipated timelines for the release of preliminary data. These statements relate to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements are only predictions based on the company’s current expectations and projections about future events. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Many factors or events may cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Vital Therapies, Inc. does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements. In addition, note historic clinical trial enrollment rates are not necessarily indicative of future enrollment rates. Subject enrollment is affected by numerous factors, many of which fall outside the company’s control.

CONTACT:

Terry Winters

Co-Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Duane Nash

Chief Business Officer

Vital Therapies, Inc.

858-673-6840

15010 Avenue of Science, San Diego, California, USA 92128

Tel 858.673.6840 — Fax 858-673-6843

www.vitaltherapies.com