One year after the inauguration of Bayer Co.Lab — the open workspace for start-ups in Berlin — it is time to take stock. European Biotechnology News Magazine
spoke with tenants and with Dr Ruth Shah, Head of Bayer Co.Lab Berlin, about the concept, the offering, and the feedback Bayer has received so far.

© Zealand Pharma

Danish Zealand Pharma A/S partners with Chinese start-up OTR Therapeutics Co. Ltd to expand oral obesity pipeline in US$30m upfront deal.

Lilly’s triple weight loss combination therapy retatrutide has shown 28.7% weight loss in Phase 3, but higher discontinuations vs. tirzepatide and semaglutide.

Pfizer’s Tukysa improves progression-free survival in first-line HER2-positive breast cancer, especially in HR-negative patients, with manageable safety. Data were shown at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Roche has unveiled detailed data for its oral selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), giredestrant, at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Cologne-based Disco Pharmaceuticals GmbH has closed its seed financing at €36m. The company will use the proceeds to advance its surfaceome-mapping platform, developing bispecific ADCs and T-Cell Engagers for hard-to-treat cancers.

Spanish Tetraneuron secures financing to advance its E2F4DN-based Alzheimer’s gene therapy, restoring neuronal homeostasis and halting disease progression in Europe.

This article examines the critical success factors for PEGylated therapies and the decision-making process for when a custom PEG may be warranted rather than an off-the-shelf solution. The essential role of a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with deep expertise in activated PEG chemistry is highlighted.
Authors: Raymond Behrendt, Silvia Kaden-Vagt, Lotfi Bouchekioua, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

UK-bad Cellular Origins Ltd raised $40m to scale global CGT manufacturing with robotic automation, boosting access to cell therapies and enabling commercial growth.

The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) has unveiled the Ignite Award finalists: eight pioneering lab automation and drug discovery start-ups competing for $5,000 at SLAS 2026 in Boston, 7-11 February 2026.