VectivBio
VectivBio was a Basel-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing apraglutide, a GLP-2 analog, for rare gastrointestinal conditions including short bowel syndrome and intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Acquired by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals in May 2023 for over $1 billion.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersBasel, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What VectivBio does
VectivBio Holding AG was a Swiss clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in Basel, focused on developing therapeutics for severe rare gastrointestinal diseases. The company's lead product candidate was apraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection and evaluated in the Phase 3 STARS program for short bowel syndrome (SBS) with intestinal failure (including colon-in-continuity) and for chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO). Apraglutide targeted high-unmet-need indications with the goal of reducing parenteral support dependence in SBS patients. In August 2021, VectivBio acquired Comet Therapeutics to add programs addressing inherited metabolic diseases, broadening the pipeline beyond GI indications.
VectivBio's business model was that of a clinical-stage biotech: it generated no commercial product revenue and financed operations through a series of equity rounds, a public offering, private placements, and non-dilutive debt. Between 2020 and 2022 the company raised approximately $35M (Series 2, 2020), $110M (2020 follow-on), $54M via public offering/private placement with Forbion (June 2022), $125M in an October 2022 share offering, and up to $75M in structured debt from Kreos Capital (March 2022), alongside a Japan-focused licensing deal with Asahi Kasei Pharma. Following positive early nine-patient data and Phase 3 progression, VectivBio was acquired by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals in May 2023 for over $1 billion, becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary. Post-acquisition, the Swiss operating entity VectivBio AG continued advancing the apraglutide program and, in December 2025, settled long-running litigation with Ferring International Center S.A. via a $12.5M payment plus royalty terms.
VectivBio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VectivBio
- Legal name
- VectivBio Holding AG
- Website
- https://vectivbio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- VectivBio was a Basel-based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing apraglutide, a GLP-2 analog, for rare gastrointestinal conditions including short bowel syndrome and intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Acquired by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals in May 2023 for over $1 billion.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VectivBio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rare Disease Biopharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Rare Gastroenterology & Hepatology Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Enzyme Replacement & Metabolic Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAB)
Keywords
Where VectivBio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Basel
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
VectivBio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations
VectivBio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VectivBio was a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing apraglutide, a GLP-2 analog for rare gastrointestinal conditions including short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure and intestinal pseudo-obstruction. The company also pursued inherited metabolic disease programs acquired through the Comet Therapeutics acquisition. Its products were investigational therapies in Phase 3 clinical trials, intended for rare disease patient populations with significant unmet medical need.
Product overview
VectivBio was a Swiss clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for severe rare conditions, particularly gastrointestinal diseases. The company's core product was apraglutide (a GLP-2 analog), which was in Phase 3 clinical trials for short bowel syndrome. The company also acquired Comet Therapeutics to expand its pipeline into inherited metabolic diseases. In May 2023, VectivBio was acquired by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals to enhance Ironwood's innovation pipeline and GI disease treatment capabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Apraglutide Apraglutide is a GLP-2 (glucagon-like peptide-2) analog in clinical development for rare gastrointestinal conditions including short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure associated with colon-in-continuity and intestinal pseudo-obstruction. It is intended for patients with severe rare GI disorders and significant unmet medical need.
- Comet Therapeutics Pipeline The Comet Therapeutics pipeline consists of programs acquired by VectivBio focusing on treatments for inherited metabolic diseases, expanding VectivBio's rare disease pipeline with multiple programs potentially entering clinical development.
Quantifiable outcome
- Phase 3 trial STARS-2 for apraglutide designed with site initiations expected Q2 2026
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use VectivBio
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
VectivBio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
VectivBio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- Asahi Kasei Pharma CorporationcoreVectivBio entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Asahi Kasei Pharma for the development and commercialization of apraglutide in Japan. This partnership leveraged Asahi Kasei Pharma's local regulatory expertise and commercial infrastructure in the Japanese market for rare disease therapeutics.
- Comet TherapeuticsstrategicVectivBio acquired Comet Therapeutics, a company developing treatments for inherited metabolic diseases. The acquisition significantly expanded VectivBio's rare disease pipeline and brought multiple new programs into clinical development. The acquisition involved equity and cash payments.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
VectivBio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Takeda Pharmaceutical: Markets Gattex/Revestive (teduglutide), the first approved GLP-2 analog for short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure — the direct therapeutic competitor to VectivBio's apraglutide.
- Zealand Pharma: Developing glepaglutide, a long-acting GLP-2 analog for short bowel syndrome, directly competing with apraglutide in the same rare GI indication.
Broad incumbents
- Ironwood Pharmaceuticals: Acquirer of VectivBio and a leading GI-focused pharmaceutical company with Linzess; now the strategic owner commercializing apraglutide and overlapping in SBS/IPO therapeutic focus.
- Ferring Pharmaceuticals: Original developer/licensor of teduglutide in certain territories and a counterparty to VectivBio's license/settlement; overlapping in SBS/rare GI therapeutics and adjacent commercial footprint.
- AbbVie: Owns Linzess/linaclotide via the Allergan acquisition, a leading IBS-C/CIC therapy, and competes broadly in the GI therapeutics market that VectivBio targets.
- Bausch Health (Salix): Markets plecanatide (Trulance) for IBS-C and CIC and operates a specialty GI franchise, overlapping the broader gastroenterology commercial landscape VectivBio addresses.
Emerging players
- Hanmi Pharmaceutical: Developing HM15912, a long-acting GLP-2 analog for short bowel syndrome, positioning it as an emerging competitor in the same rare GI therapeutic class.
- Ardelyx: GI-focused biotech with tenapanor approved for IBS-C and in development for CKD; shares the rare/specialty GI therapeutic focus with VectivBio's apraglutide pipeline.
- 9 Meters Biopharma: Rare GI-focused clinical-stage biotech developing therapies for short bowel syndrome and other GI disorders, addressing overlapping rare disease patient populations.
- Seres Therapeutics: Clinical-stage microbiome therapeutics company developing treatments for GI and inflammatory diseases; comparable as a rare/specialty GI biotech with a similarly targeted rare disease development model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
VectivBio social profiles
Digital presenceVectivBio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VectivBio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
VectivBio subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
VectivBio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors19 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VectivBio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about VectivBio
What does VectivBio do?
VectivBio was a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing apraglutide, a GLP-2 analog for rare gastrointestinal conditions including short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure and intestinal pseudo-obstruction. The company also pursued inherited metabolic disease programs acquired through the Comet Therapeutics acquisition. Its products were investigational therapies in Phase 3 clinical trials, intended for rare disease patient populations with significant unmet medical need.
Is VectivBio a public or private company?
VectivBio is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently acquired.
When was VectivBio founded?
VectivBio was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is VectivBio based?
VectivBio is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
Who are VectivBio's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Takeda Pharmaceutical and Zealand Pharma. Broad incumbents are Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, AbbVie and Bausch Health (Salix). Emerging players are Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Ardelyx, 9 Meters Biopharma and Seres Therapeutics.
Does VectivBio have an API?
No public API is recorded for VectivBio.
What industry is VectivBio in?
VectivBio's product category is Rare Disease Biopharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAIAL, Rare Gastroenterology & Hepatology Disorder Therapies, with a secondary code of HLAIAIAB, Enzyme Replacement & Metabolic Disorder Therapies. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2835.