Versanis Bio
Versanis Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing bimagrumab, an anti-ActRII monoclonal antibody for muscle preservation during obesity treatment, now operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly following a $1.93B acquisition.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersOakland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Versanis Bio does
Versanis Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2021 and headquartered in Oakland, California, focused on developing medicines for cardiometabolic diseases, with particular emphasis on obesity in older adults. The company's lead asset is bimagrumab, a proprietary monoclonal antibody targeting activin receptor type II (ActRII), designed to reduce body fat while preserving lean muscle mass during weight loss therapy. Bimagrumab is being developed both as a standalone therapy and as a combination treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide; the Phase 2 BELIEVE study demonstrated 22.1% average weight loss over 72 weeks with 92.8% of loss attributable to fat mass, alongside reductions in inflammation markers and full reversion to normoglycemia in prediabetic participants.
Versanis Bio was founded by Mark Fishman and Joe Jimenez with leadership from Chairman and CEO Mark Pruzanski and CSO Lloyd Klickstein. The company raised $70 million in Series 2 venture funding in 2021 from Atlas Venture, Medicxi, Aditum Bio, and TCG Crossover. In July 2023 (with completion in 2024), Eli Lilly and Company acquired Versanis Bio for up to $1.93 billion, gaining full ownership of bimagrumab and integrating the muscle-preservation obesity program into its broader metabolic disease pipeline. Versanis now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly, with ongoing clinical development funded through the parent company's resources.
The business model is pre-commercial clinical development: Versanis had no products on market, no pricing structure, and no independent distribution prior to acquisition. Revenue, if any, was limited to collaboration or grant income and is not publicly disclosed. Following acquisition, the bimagrumab program continues to advance within Eli Lilly's portfolio, positioned as a complementary therapy to GLP-1-based obesity treatments addressing the significant muscle loss observed with drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Versanis Bio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Versanis Bio
- Legal name
- Versanis Bio
- Website
- https://versanisbio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Versanis Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing bimagrumab, an anti-ActRII monoclonal antibody for muscle preservation during obesity treatment, now operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly following a $1.93B acquisition.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Versanis Bio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cardiometabolic Biopharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cardiology & Vascular Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAG)
Keywords
Where Versanis Bio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Versanis Bio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations
Versanis Bio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Versanis Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing monoclonal antibody therapies for cardiometabolic diseases, with a focus on obesity treatment. Its lead asset, bimagrumab, is an antibody that blocks activin receptor type II (ActRII) to promote fat loss while preserving lean muscle mass, and is being developed both as a monotherapy and in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide.
Product overview
Versanis Bio is a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new medicines for cardiometabolic diseases, particularly obesity treatments. The company's lead asset is bimagrumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting activin receptor type II (ActRII), which was being developed both as a standalone therapy and in combination with GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide. The combination therapy program demonstrated significant weight loss with muscle preservation in the Phase 2 BELIEVE study. Versanis Bio was acquired by Eli Lilly and operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bimagrumab A monoclonal antibody being developed for cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity treatment. It works by blocking activin receptor type II (ActRII) to preserve muscle mass during weight loss, intended for adults with obesity and related metabolic conditions.
- Semaglutide + Bimagrumab Combination Therapy Combination clinical program pairing semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonist) with bimagrumab, designed to achieve significant fat-mass loss while preserving lean muscle mass. The Phase 2 BELIEVE study showed 22.1% average weight loss over 72 weeks with 92.8% of loss from fat mass, targeting adults with obesity requiring improved body composition.
Quantifiable outcome
- 22.1% average weight loss over 72 weeks with combination therapy (semaglutide + bimagrumab)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Versanis Bio
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Versanis Bio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Versanis Bio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Eli Lilly and CompanycoreEli Lilly acquired Versanis Bio for up to $1.93 billion, expanding into cardiovascular and metabolic inflammatory diseases tied to obesity. The acquisition gave Lilly access to Versanis's key asset bimagrumab and the company's muscle-preservation obesity treatment pipeline. The deal was likely linked to milestone achievements in clinical progress.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Versanis Bio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Eli Lilly and Company: Versanis Bio's parent company and the leading GLP-1 obesity franchise owner (Mounjaro/Zepbound). Comparable as the acquirer/integrator and as the natural combination partner for bimagrumab in cardiometabolic disease.
- Novo Nordisk: Global GLP-1 obesity leader (Ozempic/Wegovy). Comparable as the dominant obesity therapeutics franchise where muscle preservation will become a key differentiator and combination opportunity.
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals: Large biopharmaceutical company with obesity pipeline assets and strong antibody development capabilities. Comparable as a competitor developing next-generation obesity and metabolic disease therapeutics.
- Amgen: Large biopharma developing MariTide (AMG 133), a GLP-1/GIP obesity candidate with muscle-sparing properties under evaluation. Comparable as a competitor in the muscle-preserving obesity space.
- Pfizer: Major pharmaceutical company with oral GLP-1 (danuglipron) and broader cardiometabolic pipeline efforts. Comparable as a large incumbent investing in next-generation obesity and muscle-sparing therapeutics.
Direct peers
- Scholar Rock: Clinical-stage biotech developing apitegromab (anti-myostatin) for muscle preservation in spinal muscular atrophy, with broader muscle-sparing programs. Directly comparable mechanism (TGF-beta superfamily blockade) targeting muscle preservation.
- BioAge Labs: Clinical-stage company developing therapeutics that target the molecular mechanisms of aging, with a focus on muscle biology and obesity. Directly comparable target patient population and biology focus.
Emerging players
- Structure Therapeutics: Clinical-stage company developing oral GLP-1 agonists and other metabolic disease therapies. Comparable as an emerging player addressing the same obesity/cardiometabolic patient population.
- Keros Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing therapeutics targeting TGF-beta family proteins (including activin receptor modulators) for hematologic and musculoskeletal disorders. Comparable mechanism overlap (TGF-beta/ActRII signaling) relevant to muscle biology.
- Lexicon Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage biopharma developing sotagliflozin and other cardiometabolic therapies including work on obesity-related heart failure. Comparable as a smaller company focused on adjacent cardiometabolic indications.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Versanis Bio social profiles
Digital presenceVersanis Bio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Versanis Bio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Versanis Bio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Versanis Bio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Versanis Bio
What does Versanis Bio do?
Versanis Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing monoclonal antibody therapies for cardiometabolic diseases, with a focus on obesity treatment. Its lead asset, bimagrumab, is an antibody that blocks activin receptor type II (ActRII) to promote fat loss while preserving lean muscle mass, and is being developed both as a monotherapy and in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide.
Is Versanis Bio a public or private company?
Versanis Bio is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Versanis Bio founded?
Versanis Bio was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Versanis Bio based?
Versanis Bio is headquartered in Oakland, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Versanis Bio's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Amgen and Pfizer. Direct peers are Scholar Rock and BioAge Labs. Emerging players are Structure Therapeutics, Keros Therapeutics and Lexicon Pharmaceuticals.
Does Versanis Bio have an API?
No public API is recorded for Versanis Bio.
What industry is Versanis Bio in?
Versanis Bio's product category is Cardiometabolic Biopharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIACAG, Cardiology & Vascular Specialty Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2834.