LONDON - Astex Therapeutics Ltd. agreed to a deal with AstraZeneca plc for a range of early stage small-molecule kinase inhibitors, securing an up-front payment of $5 million, to be followed by research and development funding, potential milestones of up to $270 million and double-digit royalties. (BioWorld Today)

LONDON - The venture capital firm Abingworth Management announced the first closing at $53 million of a new fund dedicated for quoted companies. (BioWorld International)