Growth hormone biotech Ascendis Pharma files for a $86 million IPO

Ascendis Pharma, which is developing long-acting treatments for growth hormone deficiency, filed on Thursday with the SEC to raise up to $86 million in an initial public offering.

Close peer Versartis (VSAR) raised $126 million in its March IPO. Versartis was one of 9 biotechs this year to price above its range and the company gained 49% on its first day, but now trades 9% below the offer price. 

The Hellerup, Denmark-based company, which was founded in 2006, plans to list on the NASDAQ under the symbol ASND. Ascendis Pharma initially filed confidentially on 8/1/2014. BofA Merrill Lynch and Leerink Partners are the joint bookrunners on the deal. No pricing terms were disclosed.