Virobay

The company's core business was the discovery and development of novel drugs targeting a class of enzymes known as cysteine proteases. Its primary therapeutic areas included neuropathic pain, autoimmune diseases like Crohn's disease, fibrosis, and certain cancers. Virobay's strategy involved creating small molecule inhibitors to regulate cathepsins, which are implicated in various disease processes. The business model focused on advancing its proprietary drug candidates through clinical trials, with the ultimate goal of commercialization. This involved partnerships and licensing agreements, such as a global licensing deal with LEO Pharma for its cathepsin S inhibitor, VBY-891, for dermatological conditions.

Virobay's product pipeline included several candidates that reached the clinical trial phase. VBY-036, a cathepsin S inhibitor, was its lead candidate for treating neuropathic pain and Crohn's disease. Other candidates like VBY-376 targeted liver fibrosis (NASH), and VBY-825 was being investigated for Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). The company utilized biomarkers as companion diagnostics to optimize dosing and identify specific patient populations for more efficient trials. Virobay was venture-backed, raising $30 million in a Series A round in 2006 and a total of $18 million in a Series B round by 2014 from investors including TPG Biotechnology Partners, Sutter Hill Ventures, and Alta Partners. Despite filing for a $50 million IPO in September 2014, the company withdrew the offering shortly after.