For years, Portugal sat just outside Europe’s main biotech conversation: scientifically credible, strong in research, but too small, too fragmented and too thinly financed to compete with the established hubs in Switzerland, the UK, France, Germany or the Nordics. That view is becoming harder to defend. Portugal still does not have the scale of Europe’s top biotech markets, but it is building something more durable than a collection of isolated startups.
Basilea lands US$6m CARB X boost for novel antibiotic
Latest NewsAmid chronic under-investments in new antibacterial weapons, Basilea Pharmaceutica has secured an additional US$6 million from CARB‑X to fund the first‑in‑human Phase I trial of a novel Gram‑negative antibiotic now entering early clinical development. The compound BAL2420 targets LptA, part of the lipopolysaccharide transport bridge that Gram negative bacteria rely on to build their outer membrane.
SLAS Announces the Cohort for Innovation AveNEW at SLAS Europe 2026
BackgroundTwelve emerging life science startups to showcase enabling technologies at the SLAS European Conference and Exhibition in Vienna, 19-21 May 2026
Jeito Capital raises record US$1.2bn to bankroll European biopharma’s next generation
Latest NewsJeito Capital has closed its second dedicated biopharma fund, Jeito II, on a record US$1.2 billion (€1 billion), making it the largest fund ever raised by a fully independent European biopharma-focused private equity firm. The move firmly places Jeito among the leading global backers of clinical stage innovation.
Gilead acquires German ADC specialist Tubulis in US$5bn deal
Latest NewsFor Tubulis, the time for an exit has arrived: US based pharma group Gilead is set to pay up to US$5bn for the biotech’s ADC expertise.
Portugal’s biotech industry is growing up
Background, Latest NewsFor years, Portugal sat just outside Europe’s main biotech conversation: scientifically credible, strong in research, but too small, too fragmented and too thinly financed to compete with the established hubs in Switzerland, the UK, France, Germany or the Nordics. That view is becoming harder to defend. Portugal still does not have the scale of Europe’s top biotech markets, but it is building something more durable than a collection of isolated startups.
The rollercoaster ride stopps and danish IO Biotech goes bust
Latest NewsThe Copenhagen-based cancer immunotherapy company IO Biotech has come to an abrupt end, marking one of the more sobering recent failures in Europe’s mid-cap biotech segment. Founded in 2019, the company had sought to position itself at the forefront of therapeutic cancer vaccines, but a decisive clinical and regulatory setback ultimately proved insurmountable.
French AI: 20 million funding for Generare to find better data in nature
Latest NewsFrench Generare, founded in 2023, is positioning itself at the intersection of synthetic biology and artificial intelligence by tackling what many in the sector now see as a fundamental bottleneck: the lack of genuinely novel molecular data.
Lilly moves deeper into sleep medicine with up to $7.8 billion Centessa deal
Latest NewsEli Lilly has agreed to acquire UK-based Centessa Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth up to $7.8 billion, giving the pharma giant a high-profile entry into one of biotech’s most closely watched neuroscience fields: orexin biology. The companies announced a definitive agreement on March 31, 2026.
Where Life Science Scales in Basel
Sponsored PublicationsThe Basel region is one of the world’s leading life-science clusters. Pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms and research institutions benefit from a unique combination of talent, infrastructure and international collaboration. As the industry continues to grow, the demand for scalable laboratory and office environments within this innovation ecosystem is increasing.
Something of a shopping spree: Novartis to acquire US-based Excellergy for up to $2bn
Latest NewsNovartis is back on the acquisition trail, agreeing to buy California-based Excellergy for up to $2bn. The antibody Exl-111 is intended to strengthen its allergy pipeline and go beyond the current standard of care. The deal is part of a broader string of acquisitions aimed at systematically expanding the group’s innovation base.