The curtain is coming down on one of Europe’s longest-established biopharmas, with Novartis AG announcing it is to shut Morphosys AG’s facilities, following its 2024 acquisition of the one-time antibody pioneer for $2.9 billion. The closure of sites in the U.S. and Germany by the end of 2025 will affect 330 employees.

Dimerix Ltd. and Fuso Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. signed a license agreement for the development and commercialization of Dimerix’s phase III candidate, DMX-200, for the treatment of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in Japan for ¥10.5 billion (US$66.5 million) plus royalties.

The antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) arena continues to ring up deals, as Avenzo Therapeutics Inc. signed an exclusive license agreement with Duality Biotherapeutics Inc., whereby Avenzo will develop, manufacture and commercialize AVZO-1418/DB-1418, described as a potential best-in-class EGFR/HER3 bispecific ADC, globally (excluding greater China).

Biopharma happenings, including deals and partnerships, grants, preclinical data and other news in brief: I-Mab, JCR, Lpoxy, Modalis, Naya, Portage, Rakovina, Xortx, Xeno.

New hires and promotions in the biopharma industry, including: Al Proteins, Alzheon, Aro, Bright Minds, City, Crispr, Eccogene, Harrow, Kura Oncology, Mannkind, Paradox, Renovaro, Rycarma, Sling.

Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Oculis, Quoin, Technoderma.

Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Acurx, Amgen, Ars, Astellas, Cyprium, NMD, Nuvation Bio, Sentynl, Star, Tempest.

Biopharmas raising money in public or private financings, including: Aeon, Biolinerx, Orbis, Senti.