Genentech acquiring Versant-backed NASH play Jecure

Genentech Inc. is acquiring Jecure Therapeutics Inc. (San Diego, Calif.), giving it a preclinical program targeting NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3; NALP3; CIAS1) to treat inflammatory diseases including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Financial terms are undisclosed.

Jecure’s sole investor was Versant Ventures. The firm seeded the company and invested $20 million in its series A round, announced in February 2017. Versant’s Tom Woiwode declined to characterize the firm’s return, but told BioCentury it would not have done the deal unless it generated "venture-like returns."...