Verdiva Bio, a London, UK-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, raised over $410M in Series A Funding.
The round was led by Forbion and General Atlantic, with participation from RA Capital Management, OrbiMed, Logos Capital, Lilly Asia Ventures, and LYFE Capital.
The company intends to use the funds to advance the development of new therapies via a mix of monotherapy and combination programs, including:
- A phase 2-ready, potential first-in-class, 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
- A long-acting, subcutaneous amylin agonist for use as monotherapy or in combination with a proprietary GLP-1 peptide
Led by CEO Khurem Farooq, Verdiva Bio develops new therapies to help people living with obesity, cardiometabolic disorders, and related complications achieve better outcomes via more patient-friendly therapeutic options. Its most advanced therapy is VRB-101, an oral GLP-1 peptide in clinical development that has demonstrated best-in-class efficacy potential in a phase 1 study in Australia, which also confirmed the viability of once-weekly dosing.
The company is also developing a portfolio of amylin molecules, including oral and subcutaneous agonists, and other undisclosed programs that offer the potential for enhanced efficacy, improved tolerability, and healthier weight loss.
In addition, Verdiva Bio announced the appointment of several other leadership positions, including:
- Dr. Jane Hughes, Chief Scientific Officer, formerly CSO of Aiolos Bio and Gyroscope Therapeutics
- Dr. Tapan Maniar, Chief Business Officer, formerly CBO of Aiolos Bio and Principal at Bain Capital Life Sciences
- Ashley Taylor, Chief Technology Officer, formerly CTO of Aiolos Bio and Head of Network Strategy at Roche/Genentech
FinSMEs
13/01/2025