In yet another China antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) deal, Astellas Pharma Inc. is inlicensing a phase I/II ADC targeting Claudin 18.2 from Evopoint Biosciences Co. Ltd. for up to $1.34 billion.
The EU is having another go at improving access to capital for biotechs and science-based startups, in a bid to enable them to remain anchored in Europe. The Startup and Scaleup strategy, announced on May 28, is a response to the long-running problem that although Europe has strong foundations in its academic research, the innovative companies this science spawns often end up being acquired by U.S. companies, or moving to the U.S. to list on Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange.
CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. on May 30 disclosed that the company was engaged in ongoing negotiations with unnamed, independent third parties regarding three license deals and collaborations that could total up to $5 billion combined.
Nibec Co. Ltd. announced May 28 the signing of a potential $435 million license deal for NP-201, its phase II-ready peptide-based pulmonary fibrosis therapy candidate, with an undisclosed U.S.-based biotech company.
Epimab Biotherapeutics Inc. licensed out a development-ready KLK2/CD3 bispecific T-cell engager (TCE) for advanced prostate cancer to Juri Biosciences Inc. through a potential $210 million deal.
Four months after Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s U.S. FDA nod for Journavx (suzetrigine) as the first drug targeting NaV1.8 for treating pain, Eli Lilly and Co. is joining the potential competition via a buyout of Siteone Therapeutics Inc., a privately held firm developing small-molecule sodium channel inhibitors, including a phase II-ready NaV1.8 inhibitor.
A new version of a drug candidate that failed in a phase II for neuropathic pain 15 years ago has attracted $140 million in series D funds, plus an ex-North American deal worth up to $570 million, for Grin Therapeutics Inc.
A development deal with Biogen Inc. could eventually bring City Therapeutics Inc. about $1 billion in milestone payments. It’s a step in the direction the company had been going: looking for the right partners, including those from big pharma. Privately held City Therapeutics is getting $46 million in the deal. That includes $16 million as an up-front payment and an investment of $30 million in exchange for a City Therapeutics convertible note.
Cinclus Pharma Holding AB has chosen Zentiva k.s. to handle manufacturing and commercialization duties in Europe for linaprazan glurate, which is being developed to treat severe erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Alteogen Inc. completed a merger between two subsidiaries – Altos Biologics Inc. and Alteogen Healthcare Inc. – branding the new entity as Alteogen Biologics Inc.