Alligator Bioscience AB reported that Orion Corp. has selected the lead bispecific antibodies from the companies’ second development program, and is exercising its option to develop these molecules under the existing 2021 research collaboration and license agreement.

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has entered into a drug discovery collaboration agreement with Prism Biolab Co. Ltd. to generate novel oncology drug candidates.

Ochre Bio Ltd. has established a partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG focused on the discovery and development of novel first-in-class regenerative treatments for chronic liver diseases, such as late-stage metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) cirrhosis.

Ipsen SA and Skyhawk Therapeutics Inc. have entered an exclusive worldwide collaboration to discover and develop small molecules that modulate RNA for rare neurological diseases. Skyhawk has a unique platform that accelerates building RNA-targeting small molecules across several therapeutic areas.

Curevac NV and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have entered into a co-development and licensing agreement to develop novel mRNA-based cancer vaccines.

Spikimm SAS has signed an exclusive collaboration and license option agreement with SATT Conectus Alsace SAS for monoclonal antibodies targeting the BK virus. Reactivation of the BK virus (BKV) in patients receiving kidney transplant, bone marrow or stem cell grafts has potential serious consequences.

Vernalis (R&D) Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitgen Inc., and C4x Discovery Holdings plc have entered into a collaboration to identify modulators of an undisclosed, hard-to-drug, high-value target involved in inflammatory disease.

Mina Therapeutics Ltd. has announced a research collaboration and licensing agreement option with Nippon Shinyaku Co. Ltd. for the discovery and potential development and commercialization of small activating RNA (RNAa) therapeutic candidates targeting rare neurodegenerative diseases for which there are currently no treatment options.

Caris Discovery, the therapeutic research arm of Caris Life Sciences Inc., has established a multiyear strategic partnership with Merck KGaA to accelerate the discovery and development of first-in-class antibody-drug conjugates for cancer patients.