Gene therapy developer Kate Therapeutics Inc. (KateTx), which is developing next-generation adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors that target skeletal and cardiac muscle, has unveiled $51 million series A round and a licensing deal with Astellas Pharma Inc.
As it nears the end of its cash runway and its lead antibiotic, Nuzyra, approaches a phase IIb readout, Paratek Pharmaceuticals Inc. agreed to be acquired by Gurnet Point Capital and Novo Holdings A/S for up to $3 per share in a deal that will take the company private.
Lonza Group Ltd. has acquired Synaffix BV, the developer of a widely partnered set of tools for generating antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), for €100 million (US$108 million) up front plus up to €60 million more in milestones.
In a deal potentially worth $392 million, C4 Therapeutics Inc. signed with Betta Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. to develop and market an orally bioavailable BiDAC degrader for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Once weekly vs. once daily injections plus increased potency vs. Gattex (linaclotide) inspired Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc. in its $1 billion takeover of Vectivbio Holding AG, which brings aboard the phase III-stage synthetic glucagon-like peptide-2 analog apraglutide, potentially a best-in-class agent for short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure.
Rona Therapeutics Co. Ltd. and Keymed Biosciences Co. Ltd. formed a collaboration to jointly discover and develop first-in-class siRNA therapeutics for glomerulonephritis, also known as severe kidney diseases.
Biopharma has experienced relatively stable deal value year-over-year, despite a 24% decline in the number of deals through April. M&As, however, have brought in the lowest amount in years.
The U.S. FTC’s unprecedented antitrust challenge to Amgen Inc.’s $27.8 billion acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics plc, could be a disruptor to biotech investment if the agency is victorious, some analysts are warning. “With essentially zero commercial overlap [between the two companies], this deal would seem to be a slam dunk under long-established antitrust considerations,” said Christopher Raymond, a senior research analyst with Piper Sandler Research.
Scribe Therapeutics Inc. is selling exclusive rights to its CRISPR-based technology to Prevail Therapeutics Inc. for a figure that could top $1.6 billion as the firms team up to develop genetic therapies for serious neurological and neuromuscular diseases.
In a deal worth as much as $600 million, Lanova Medicines Ltd. licensed exclusive global rights to Astrazeneca plc for LM-305, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting GPRC5D, for multiple myeloma (MM). Lanova will receive up-front and near-term payments of up to $55 million and development and commercial milestone payments of up to $545 million, as well as tiered royalties on net sales worldwide.
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