Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has entered into an agreement to expand its drug discovery collaboration agreement with Congruence Therapeutics Inc. for the discovery of novel small-molecule modulators against multiple protein targets in the areas of neurology and immunology.

Cure Rare Disease has entered into a multiyear partnership with the LGMD2L Foundation to develop a gene replacement therapy for anoctamin 5 (ANO5)-related disease, a rare genetic disorder.

Angelini Pharma SpA and Quiver Bioscience Inc. have entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement to advance novel therapeutics for genetic epilepsies. Under the multiyear collaboration, Angelini Pharma will leverage Quiver’s technology platform to gain deeper understanding of a broad set of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies.

Gelmedix Inc. has completed a $13 million seed financing to support progression of the company’s lead program, GMX-101, a retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell therapy to treat late-stage geographic atrophy.

Nektar Therapeutics Inc. has established an academic research collaboration with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to explore the role of tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) agonism in models of multiple sclerosis (MS) with the aim of supporting progression of NKTR-0165, Nektar’s first-in-class TNFR2 agonist antibody.

Teijin Pharma Ltd. has entered into a joint research agreement with Aska Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. to jointly develop novel small-molecule drug candidates for gynecological diseases.

Advancell Pty Ltd. has entered into a collaboration and exclusive licensing agreement with 48Hour Discovery Inc. to develop a novel peptide-based lead-212 (212Pb) radiotherapeutic with an initial focus on a gastrointestinal cancer with significant medical need.

Astrazeneca plc has signed a new strategic collaboration agreement with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. to advance the development of next-generation therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes across eight programs.

Wuxi Biologics Co. Ltd. and Sinorda Biomedicine have established a strategic collaboration for the development and manufacturing of SND-006, a novel bispecific antibody, for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and other autoimmune diseases.

The SCN2A Foundation has entered into a research collaboration with Unravel Biosciences Inc. to advance preclinical research for SCN2A-related disorders caused by loss-of-function mutations, a subset of SCN2A conditions driven by insufficient functional protein.