Verdiva Bio launches with $411M Series A raise for next-gen oral and injectable treatments for obesity

Pharmatech company Verdiva Bio launched this week with an eye-watering  $411 million Series A. 
Focused on developing innovative therapies for obesity and other cardiometabolic disorders, Verdiva Bio is creating next-generation oral and injectable treatments with first-in-class or best-in-class potential.

Verdiva’s most advanced therapy is VRB-101, an oral GLP-1 peptide in clinical development that 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.

The Verdiva team will harness the emerging science in gut-brain biology and leverage their history of successful drug development to advance novel therapeutic options aiming to transform the lives of millions living with obesity worldwide. 

The Series A financing was co-led by Forbion and General Atlantic. “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. 

“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.” 

Khurram Farooq, formerly the CEO of Aiolos Bio and Gyroscope Therapeutics, will serve as  CEO, leading an experienced team of drug developers and biotech company builders. He shared:

“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.” 

Lead image: Freepik.