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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With $70m in series A cash, Versanis hopes to develop obesity drug to take on semaglutide

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.

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Samsung Bioepis Reevaluating Approach To Biosimilars

 

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AZ’s Oncology R&D Head On China’s Scientific Promise And True Innovation

 

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Amgen’s Rare Disease Portfolio Grows With Second Approved Uplizna Indication

 
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The US FDA approved anti-CD19 antibody Uplizna, from Amgen’s $27.8bn purchase of Horizon in 2023, for IgG4-related disease – a larger market than its original NMOSD indication.

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BeiGene Ends Anti-TIGIT Development In Lung Cancer

 
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Orphans Cling On To Growth Advantage As Market Share Heads Towards 20%

 

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.