Versartis Inc. lassoed its first commercial partner, Teijin Pharma Ltd., to develop and market its long-acting recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) candidate, somavaratan (VRS-317), in Japan. The deal, which includes both pediatric and adult growth hormone deficiency (GHD) indications, called for Versartis to receive $40 million up front and up to $125 million in potential development, regulatory and sales milestones while retaining exclusive rights to the asset in the rest of the world.