A new biotech company focused on developing novel treatments for obesity has been backed by US$410m in investment.
According to the company, it will advance a portfolio of next-generation oral and injectable treatments plans to advance through a mix of monotherapy and combination programmes.
These include a Phase 2-ready, once-weekly oral GLP-1 receptor agonist; a potential first-in-class, once-weekly oral amylin agonist for use as monotherapy or in combination with an oral GLP-1 agonist; and a long-acting, subcutaneous amylin agonist for use as monotherapy or in combination with a proprietary GLP-1 peptide.
Khurem Farooq, formerly the CEO of Aiolos Bio and Gyroscope Therapeutics, who will serve as CEO, said: “People living with obesity and its complications deserve better options at each stage of their treatment journey, including oral therapies with less frequent dosing regimens, the potential for improved efficacy and tolerability, and innovative combination therapies in pursuit of healthier weight loss and, equally importantly, maintenance of metabolically healthy weight.
“We created Verdiva Bio to accelerate the development of differentiated medicines that address these significant unmet medical needs.
“Our most mature programme has the potential to be a first-in-class, once-weekly oral treatment for obesity and weight loss maintenance that could dramatically improve patient access and affordability.”
Dr. Mohamed Eid will join Verdiva Bio as CMO from Boehringer Ingelheim, where he was head of clinical development and medical affairs for cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic medicines in the US. Previously, Dr. Eid held senior clinical, medical, and regulatory roles at Novo Nordisk.
Dr. Eid said: “We are excited by the potential of our innovative, investigational medicines. These programs represent next-generation potential against multiple targets and are anticipated to improve treatment adherence and offer a more sustainable solution for maintaining weight loss.
“Furthermore, by applying our clinically validated, oral delivery technology, we are confident that we can deliver highly efficacious and well tolerated therapies at markedly lower doses.”
“This significant Series A financing will be used to progress the clinical development of our existing assets as well as to expand our industry-leading cardiometabolic portfolio, and we are grateful to this top-tier investor syndicate for their support,” said Dr. Mark Pruzanski, chairman of the board.
“We are thrilled to co-lead Verdiva’s Series A financing and support its mission of transforming lives by accelerating innovation in cardiometabolic health,” said Wouter Joustra, General Partner at Forbion, and Brett Zbar, Managing Director and Global Head of Life Sciences at General Atlantic, which led the financing.
“With a proven leadership team, a pipeline of potential next-generation oral therapies, and a clear vision for tackling some of the most pressing global health challenges, we both believe Verdiva Bio is well-positioned to deliver groundbreaking innovations and advance these promising therapies through clinical development and beyond.”
