Chemspec Europe returned to Cologne between 6-7 May 2026, drawing 4,238 attendees from 60 nations and 454 exhibitors from 28 countries, an increase from last year’s event.

a bridge over the water

French immunotherapy developer OSE Immunotherapeutics has signed a term sheet for a flexible bridge equity financing with IRIS Capital Investment, giving the Nantes- and Paris-based biotech access to up to €19.3m in gross proceeds over 24 months.

Basel-based Nuclidium AG has secured an additional tranche for its ongoing Series B financing round, bringing the total to approximately €115 million. The theranostics company is developing copper-based radiopharmaceuticals that are used both for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications.

liver hepatitis B

GSK has linked its chronic hepatitis B drug candidate to a 19% functional cure rate across a pair of Phase III trials, clearing the bar it set for clinical relevance.

kidney disease

Swedish rare immunology specialist Hansa Biopharma AB has reported positive topline results from a European post-authorisation efficacy study of Idefirix, strengthening its case to convert the kidney transplant drug’s conditional EU approval into full marketing authorisation.

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Perceptic has raised a $12 million (€10.3 million) seed round to advance an AI operating system used by companies including CSL.

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Adcendo has struck a Keytruda supply agreement with MSD, positioning the Danish biotech to study an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) with the blockbuster checkpoint inhibitor.

Shopping spree at Eli Lilly? The US pharma giant is acquiring no fewer than three companies, all active in infectious diseases. Among them is Swiss biotech LimmaTech Biologics AG, led by former CureVac CEO Franz-Werner Haas. Yet Lilly’s ambitions extend well beyond classical infectious disease markets, targeting areas ranging from autoimmune disorders and antimicrobial resistance to chronic immune dysfunction and even cancer.

Europe continues to play a pivotal role in the global biologics landscape, combining scientific excellence, regulatory maturity and a strong industrial foundation.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping biotechnology, diagnostics and drug discovery. At the same time, Europe is competing globally for capital, talent and technological leadership. Bio:cap aims to strengthen this ecosystem by connecting investors, startups, researchers and policymakers in a new international investival in Berlin.