Controlling the epigenetics of a patient, figuring out what genes are expressed and understanding their level of expression, is at the center of Epic Bio, a new company founded by Stanley Qi, co-inventor on the CRISPR patent held by the University of California.

Xilis Inc. added $19 million to its series A financing round, bringing the total amount raised to over $89 million. FPV Ventures led the extension, with participation from Alexandria Venture Investments and EQT Life Sciences, Mubadala Capital Management, Pear Ventures, GV, the Duke Angel Network, Catalio Capital Management, Two Sigma Ventures, Felicis Ventures and Alix Ventures.

Precision Autoimmune Therapeutics Co. Ltd. has raised ¥140 million (US$21 million) in its first financing round to speed up its pipeline development and improve its drug development platform. Emerging Technology Partners LLC, Redhill Capital and CASI Pharmaceuticals Inc. participated in the round.

Theravance Biopharma Inc. inked a definitive agreement with Royalty Pharma potentially worth more than $1.5 billion to sell through a subsidiary, Theravance Respiratory Co. LLC, its 85% interest in royalty rights to Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol, GSK plc), a once-daily, single-inhaler triple therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.