Drug discovery depends on more than breakthrough science alone. Progress increasingly emerges from connected ecosystems where academia, biotech, pharma, CROs and technology providers can openly exchange ideas, challenge assumptions and accelerate innovation together.

liver organ

ProQR has reported the first clinical target-engagement data for its Axiomer RNA editing platform, while pricing a share offering and concurrent private placement that includes existing partner Eli Lilly.

Europe network market

Italian pharma Recordati has entered into a license agreement with Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for exclusive development and marketing rights to zilganersen, an investigational RNA-targeted medicine for the treatment of Alexander disease (AxD), in all countries outside the U.S.

axe

ADC Therapeutics will cut about 17% of its global workforce as it tries to preserve cash and keep Zynlonta’s regulatory strategy on track after a difficult Phase III readout.

red star

Novartis has signed a multi-target oncology discovery deal with Antares Therapeutics, paying $105m upfront for access to the Boston biotech’s small-molecule discovery engine. The agreement could bring Antares up to $1.8bn more in option, development, regulatory and commercial milestones, plus tiered royalties on global net sales that could reach the low double-digit range.

nasal spray

Dutch biotech Leyden Labs has raised €40m from a group of investors to advance its nasal spray approach for protection against influenza and other respiratory viruses.

influenza virus shot

London’s RQ Bio, a private biotech developing long-acting antibody therapeutics to prevent flu, has raised $115 million (£85.5 million/€101 million) in its Series A financing.

Pacman eating

Thalia Therapeutics is acquiring Sanmirna Therapeutics for an initial £3.675 million and up to £13 million in milestone payments, adding the clinical-stage acute myeloid leukemia (AML) candidate miRisten and transforming the company from a preclinical platform into a clinical-stage RNA therapeutics company.

Saturn

Merck KGaA has partnered with Versant Ventures to launch Saturnus Bio, a new biotech developing precision medicines for rare genetic cardiomyopathies.

target darts

UK-based TRIMTECH Therapeutics has raised an additional $14 million, bringing its total seed financing to $47 million.