The Company is initially developing somavaratan (VRS-317), its novel long-acting recombinant human growth hormone, for the treatment of pediatric growth hormone deficiency. Somavaratan is intended to reduce the burden of daily injection therapy by requiring significantly fewer injections, potentially improving compliance and yielding better treatment outcomes. The Company has recently initiated a Phase 3 clinical study of somavaratan in pediatric growth hormone deficient patients.
Somavaratan is a fusion protein consisting of rhGH and a proprietary half-life extension technology known as XTEN, which is in-licensed from Amunix Operating, Inc. Amunix has granted Versartis a worldwide exclusive license under its patents and know-how related to the XTEN technology to develop and commercialize somavaratan as well as another undisclosed XTEN-based product.
