New Orleans, LA – June 5, 2009 – Versartis, Inc., a new company developing novel biologics with enhanced properties for patients with metabolic diseases, published abstracts for preclinical data on its two product candidates, VRS-859 (exenatide-rPEG) and VRS-808 (glucagon-rPEG), at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions annual meeting beginning today in New Orleans.
Versartis, through a unique licensing agreement with Amunix, Inc., uses the proprietary Amunix recombinant PEGylation (rPEG) technology to extend the half life of established biologics. The Versartis compounds in development have the potential for significantly less frequent dosing and fewer side effects than those products currently on the market or in development.
"With VRS-859, we have a product candidate that may become a 'best in class' GLP-1 analog for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. This compound has similar preclinical efficacy to exenatide in animal models; and the pharmacokinetics in four species support monthly dosing in humans. VRS-859 can also be administered in a small volume with a small gauge needle," said Jeffrey L. Cleland, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Versartis.
"VRS-808 has the potential to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes, an unmet medical need," Dr. Cleland continued. "VRS-859 and VRS-808 did not have significant toxicology at very high doses in preclinical studies, including a lack of immunogenicity in all studies. We look forward to moving these products rapidly into human clinical trials to benefit diabetes patients."
ABSTRACTS
Exenatide: 1994-PO – "An Extended Half-life Exenatide Construct for Weekly Administration in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus"
Glucagon: 2001-PO – "An Extended Half-life Glucagon Construct for the Prevention of Nocturnal Hypoglycemia"
About Versartis
Versartis, Inc., a Redwood City, California biotechnology company, is developing therapeutics for the treatment of metabolic diseases and endocrine disorders. Versartis is pursuing the development of new therapeutic proteins utilizing the Amunix Inc. novel half-life extension recombinant PEGylation (rPEG) technology. Versartis, a joint venture company between Amunix, Inc. and Index Ventures, owns and develops the novel drug candidates in metabolic diseases and endocrinology that it has licensed from Amunix. Versartis has preclinical proof-of-concept for three product candidates in its pipeline: exenatide and IL-1ra for diabetes, and hGH for growth hormone deficiency. Further information on Versartis can be found at www.versartis.com.