Verdiva UK launches with $410m and oral GLP-1RA candidate

Verdiva Bio, a newly established clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has set its sights on revolutionizing the treatment landscape for obesity and cardiometabolic disorders. With a substantial funding boost of $410 million from a successful Series A campaign, the UK-based company is well-positioned to make significant strides in the field. This funding round saw leading contributions from Forbion and General Atlantic, alongside investments from prestigious entities like RA Capital Management, OrbiMed, and others.

The primary focus of Verdiva Bio is to develop a portfolio of next-generation oral and injectable treatments, aiming to achieve distinctions such as first-in-class or best-in-class. Their therapeutic pipeline includes innovative assets licensed from Sciwind Biosciences, a Chinese pharmaceutical company. These agreements grant Verdiva exclusive rights to global markets, excluding Greater China and South Korea. Among the promising candidates in their portfolio are ecnoglutide, an oral glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) ready for Phase II trials, a potential oral amylin agonist, and a long-acting subcutaneous amylin agonist.

Verdiva’s therapies are designed to address weight loss and maintenance, with a focus on leveraging proprietary oral delivery technologies. These technologies aim to enhance convenience and accessibility, thereby broadening the reach to diverse patient populations. This strategic approach aligns with the growing demand for more accessible and scalable obesity treatments.

Leading Verdiva’s charge is Khurem Farooq, an industry veteran with previous leadership roles at Aiolos Bio and Gyroscope Therapeutics. Farooq, now CEO of Verdiva, is supported by a seasoned leadership team, including senior executives from Aiolos Bio and Boehringer Ingelheim. Adding to the strength of the company's governance is Mark Pruzanski, who has been appointed as the chairman of the board.

The official announcement on January 8 highlighted Verdiva’s most advanced program, which aims to be a groundbreaking, once-weekly oral treatment for obesity and weight maintenance. This innovation seeks to significantly improve access and affordability for patients worldwide. The company also plans to expand its portfolio through further in-licensing agreements, signaling its ambitious goals in the obesity and cardiometabolic space.

This strategic direction by Verdiva reflects a broader industry trend where Western biopharmaceutical companies are increasingly collaborating with Chinese pharmaceutical companies to acquire and advance promising assets. Verdiva joins a cadre of high-profile partnerships in this domain, with other global entities like MSD and AstraZeneca also engaging in similar deals to enhance their therapeutic offerings in the obesity market.

Verdiva’s emergence is timely, given the burgeoning demand for effective weight-loss treatments. This demand is largely driven by the market success of drugs like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound (tirzepatide). GlobalData forecasts indicate that Wegovy could generate $19.6 billion in sales by 2030, while Zepbound is expected to reach $27.6 billion, underscoring the significant commercial potential in this therapeutic area.

In summary, Verdiva Bio is poised to make notable contributions to the treatment of obesity and cardiometabolic disorders through its innovative pipeline and strategic partnerships. With robust funding and an experienced leadership team, the company is well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the biopharmaceutical landscape and meet the growing global demand for advanced obesity therapies.