Young Verastem Files for an IPO

Verastem, a Cambridge, Mass.-based biopharmaceutical company focused on developing cancer-fighting drugs, has filed a registration statement with the SEC to go public. The number of shares and price range have not yet been determined.

The 15-month-old company has raised $48 million in venture financing since its founding, including from Advanced Technology Ventures, MPM Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Cardinal Partners, and Longwood Founders Fund.

PRESS RELEASE:

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov 03, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Verastem, Inc. a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing drugs to treat breast and other cancers by targeting cancer stem cells, today announced that it has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. All of the shares in the proposed offering will be sold by Verastem.

UBS Investment Bank and Leerink Swann LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the proposed offering. Lazard Capital Markets LLC, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and Rodman & Renshaw, LLC are co-managers for the proposed offering.

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time that the registration statement becomes effective.

When available, copies of the preliminary prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained by contacting UBS Investment Bank, Attention: Prospectus Department, 299 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10171, (888) 827-7275, or Leerink Swann LLC, Attention: Syndicate Department, One Federal Street, 37th Floor, Boston, MA 02110, (800) 808-7525, ext. 4814.