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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001280776-09-000003.txt : 20091007
<SEC-HEADER>0001280776-09-000003.hdr.sgml : 20091007
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091007134157
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001280776-09-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	D
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
ITEM INFORMATION:		Rule 506
ITEM INFORMATION:		Securities Act Section 4(6)
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091007
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091007
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20091007

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VITAL THERAPIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001280776
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		D
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	021-63094
		FILM NUMBER:		091109821

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15222 AVENUE OF SCIENCE, SUITE B
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92128
		BUSINESS PHONE:		858-673-6840

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15222 AVENUE OF SCIENCE, SUITE B
		CITY:			SAN DIEGO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92128
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>D
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<TEXT>
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<?xml version="1.0"?>
<edgarSubmission>

    <schemaVersion>X0603</schemaVersion>

    <submissionType>D</submissionType>

    <testOrLive>LIVE</testOrLive>

    <primaryIssuer>
        <cik>0001280776</cik>
        <entityName>VITAL THERAPIES INC</entityName>
        <issuerAddress>
            <street1>15222 AVENUE OF SCIENCE, SUITE B</street1>
            <city>SAN DIEGO</city>
            <stateOrCountry>CA</stateOrCountry>
            <zipCode>92128</zipCode>
        </issuerAddress>
        <issuerPhoneNumber>858-673-6840</issuerPhoneNumber>
        <jurisdictionOfInc>DELAWARE</jurisdictionOfInc>
        <issuerPreviousNameList>
            <value>None</value>
        </issuerPreviousNameList>
        <edgarPreviousNameList>
            <value>None</value>
        </edgarPreviousNameList>
        <entityType>Corporation</entityType>
        <yearOfInc>
            <overFiveYears>true</overFiveYears>
        </yearOfInc>
    </primaryIssuer>

    <relatedPersonsList>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Terry</firstName>
                <lastName>Winters</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>15222 Avenue of Science, Suite B</street1>
                <city>San Diego</city>
                <stateOrCountry>CA</stateOrCountry>
                <zipCode>92128</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Executive Officer</relationship>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Charles</firstName>
                <lastName>Liamos</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>15222 Avenue of Science, Suite B</street1>
                <city>San Diego</city>
                <stateOrCountry>CA</stateOrCountry>
                <zipCode>9218</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>J.</firstName>
                <middleName>Michael</middleName>
                <lastName>Millis</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>15222 Avenue of Science, Suite B</street1>
                <city>San Diego</city>
                <stateOrCountry>CA</stateOrCountry>
                <zipCode>92128</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Ross</firstName>
                <middleName>A.</middleName>
                <lastName>Jaffe</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>15222 Avenue of Science, Suite B</street1>
                <city>San Diego</city>
                <stateOrCountry>CA</stateOrCountry>
                <zipCode>92128</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Phillip</firstName>
                <lastName>Croxford</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>15222 Avenue of Science, Suite B</street1>
                <city>San Diego</city>
                <stateOrCountry>CA</stateOrCountry>
                <zipCode>92128</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Randolph</firstName>
                <lastName>Steer</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>15222 Avenue of Science, Suite B</street1>
                <city>San Diego</city>
                <stateOrCountry>CA</stateOrCountry>
                <zipCode>92128</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Director</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Aron</firstName>
                <lastName>Stern</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>15222 Avenue of Science, Suite B</street1>
                <city>San Diego</city>
                <stateOrCountry>CA</stateOrCountry>
                <zipCode>92128</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Executive Officer</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
        <relatedPersonInfo>
            <relatedPersonName>
                <firstName>Robert</firstName>
                <lastName>Ashley</lastName>
            </relatedPersonName>
            <relatedPersonAddress>
                <street1>15222 Avenue of Science, Suite B</street1>
                <city>San Diego</city>
                <stateOrCountry>CA</stateOrCountry>
                <zipCode>92128</zipCode>
            </relatedPersonAddress>
            <relatedPersonRelationshipList>
                <relationship>Executive Officer</relationship>
            </relatedPersonRelationshipList>
            <relationshipClarification></relationshipClarification>
        </relatedPersonInfo>
    </relatedPersonsList>

    <offeringData>
        <industryGroup>
            <industryGroupType>Biotechnology</industryGroupType>
        </industryGroup>
        <issuerSize>
            <revenueRange>Decline to Disclose</revenueRange>
        </issuerSize>
        <federalExemptionsExclusions>
            <item>06</item>
            <item>46</item>
        </federalExemptionsExclusions>
        <typeOfFiling>
            <newOrAmendment>
                <isAmendment>false</isAmendment>
            </newOrAmendment>
            <dateOfFirstSale>
                <value>2009-09-25</value>
            </dateOfFirstSale>
        </typeOfFiling>
        <durationOfOffering>
            <moreThanOneYear>false</moreThanOneYear>
        </durationOfOffering>
        <typesOfSecuritiesOffered>
            <isOtherType>true</isOtherType>
            <descriptionOfOtherType>Convertible Promissory Note and Warrants to purchase new securities of Vital Therapies, Inc.</descriptionOfOtherType>
        </typesOfSecuritiesOffered>
        <businessCombinationTransaction>
            <isBusinessCombinationTransaction>false</isBusinessCombinationTransaction>
            <clarificationOfResponse></clarificationOfResponse>
        </businessCombinationTransaction>
        <minimumInvestmentAccepted>350</minimumInvestmentAccepted>
        <salesCompensationList></salesCompensationList>
        <offeringSalesAmounts>
            <totalOfferingAmount>5000000</totalOfferingAmount>
            <totalAmountSold>1158255</totalAmountSold>
            <totalRemaining>3841745</totalRemaining>
            <clarificationOfResponse></clarificationOfResponse>
        </offeringSalesAmounts>
        <investors>
            <hasNonAccreditedInvestors>false</hasNonAccreditedInvestors>
            <totalNumberAlreadyInvested>32</totalNumberAlreadyInvested>
        </investors>
        <salesCommissionsFindersFees>
            <salesCommissions>
                <dollarAmount>0</dollarAmount>
            </salesCommissions>
            <findersFees>
                <dollarAmount>0</dollarAmount>
            </findersFees>
            <clarificationOfResponse></clarificationOfResponse>
        </salesCommissionsFindersFees>
        <useOfProceeds>
            <grossProceedsUsed>
                <dollarAmount>0</dollarAmount>
            </grossProceedsUsed>
            <clarificationOfResponse></clarificationOfResponse>
        </useOfProceeds>
        <signatureBlock>
            <authorizedRepresentative>false</authorizedRepresentative>
            <signature>
                <issuerName>VITAL THERAPIES INC</issuerName>
                <signatureName>Aron Stern</signatureName>
                <nameOfSigner>Aron Stern</nameOfSigner>
                <signatureTitle>Chief Financial Officer</signatureTitle>
                <signatureDate>2009-10-07</signatureDate>
            </signature>
        </signatureBlock>
    </offeringData>
</edgarSubmission>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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