Genfit pads liver disease pipeline with Versantis takeout

By acquiring Swiss biotech Versantis in a structured deal, Genfit will augment its liver disease pipeline by adding a Phase II-ready therapy for acute-on-chronic liver failure.

For CHF40 million ($41.3 million) up front, Genfit S.A. (Euronext:GNFT; NASDAQ:GNFT) will add VS-01-ACLF, a liposomal-based peritoneal dialysis fluid that acts as a clearance enhancer of toxic metabolites accumulated during liver and kidney failures. In a Phase Ib study, that therapy reduced biomarkers associated with organ failure in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) patients; Versantis AG said it had no dose-limiting toxicities or other unexpected safety signals...