Carmine Therapeutics Inc. said Tuesday that Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has engaged it in a research collaboration aimed at the discovery, development and commercialization of new nonviral gene therapies for two rare disease targets.

CSL Behring has licensed global rights to Uniqure NV's late-stage hemophilia B gene therapy candidate, AMT-061, for $450 million up front, plus up to $1.6 billion in potential milestone payments and royalties. Uniqure positioned the deal as a boon for its broader gene therapies pipeline, anchored by a Huntington's disease (HD) program. But the move appeared to sour investors hoping for a rumored near-term M&A takeout, sending company shares (NASDAQ:QURE) falling 21.8% to $49.22 on June 25.

HONG KONG – Korea’s Celltrion Inc. aims to wrap up its first major M&A deal with Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceutical Inc. by the end of 2020, pending approvals.

HONG KONG – Two Chinese biotech companies, Hutchison China Meditech Ltd. (Chi-Med) and Beigene Ltd., are teaming up to evaluate their therapies as combination treatments for several cancers and in different key markets.

BEIJING – Suzhou, China-based Innovent Biologics Inc. is known in China as one of the first drugmakers to launch a PD-1 monoclonal antibody. Now, the company is moving to expand its product portfolio and enhance efforts in developing bispecific antibodies and cell therapies in a potential multibillion-dollar deal with pharma giant Roche Holding AG.

Prescient Therapeutics Pty Ltd. is poised to develop next-generation CAR T therapies after signing a deal with the University of Pennsylvania for a universal immune receptor technology platform.

SUZHOU, China – Genome editing startup Edigene Inc. and CAR T developer Immunochina Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., both from Beijing, have unveiled joint efforts to develop an allogeneic CAR T therapy for cancer. Terms remain undisclosed.

BEIJING – Five-year-old Jacobio Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., of Beijing, has found itself a strong global partner to help advance its two SHP2 inhibitors, JAB-3068 and JAB-3312, both financially and later in the regulatory process. The Chinese startup will work with pharma giant Abbvie Inc., of North Chicago, to develop and commercialize the programs.