A host of former Novartis AG connections came together in a pair of transactions on 31 August, with start-up Versanis Bio preparing to take a stalled muscle-growth antibody into Phase II development as an obesity therapy that potentially could reduce body fat while increasing lean muscle mass.
Versanis, With $70m Series A, To Advance Abandoned Novartis Drug In Obesity
The failed muscle-adding antibody could offer a superior profile in obesity by reducing body fat composition while increasing lean mass, the firm believes.

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It might be the beginning of the end for the orphan drugs party but there is still sales growth enjoyment to be had for the sector, whose star performers are now looking increasingly like mainstream drugs.