The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress is one of the biggest events on the cancer research calendar, where clinical results can reshape treatment decisions and drug developers’ prospects. This year, Immatics presented new data for its PRAME-targeting therapies, BioNTech expanded the evidence for its bispecific antibody pumitamig, and AstraZeneca reported survival gains across several cancers. Here’s our roundup of the most important announcements from European biopharma.
Exogenus secures €13M EU consortium backing for secretome therapy in osteoarthritis
Latest NewsPortugal-based Exogenus Therapeutics will lead a five-year, €13 million Horizon Europe project to advance its osteoarthritis candidate EXO-101 into clinical testing.
Beyond monoclonals: Multispecific antibodies
slider, Sponsored PublicationsNew biologic logic – Multispecific antibodies extend targeted therapy beyond one antigen or pathway. By combining binding sites, cell recruitment and defined valencies within one molecule, they enable mechanisms that conventional monoclonal antibodies or their combinations cannot reproduce with the same spatial and pharmacological control.
Idorsia launches redesigned Fabry disease trial with Nxera backing
Latest NewsSwitzerland-based Idorsia has launched a new pivotal Phase 3 trial of lucerastat in Fabry disease, targeting kidney deposits after its first late-stage study failed to reduce nerve pain. The company also signed a development and commercialization agreement with Japan’s Nxera Pharma, which will help fund the program.
Atlas Bio launches with $12.5M to eliminate animal testing and simulate Phase 2 trials
Latest NewsSwitzerland-based Atlas Bio has emerged from stealth with $12.5 million in funding to develop AI simulations that predict drug responses, with the ambition of replacing parts of clinical development and animal testing.
Ferring to buy fertility biotech Gameto for up to $1.38 billion
Latest NewsSwiss pharma group Ferring Pharmaceuticals has agreed to acquire New York-based Gameto for up to $1.3825 billion (€1.24 billion), gaining a cell-based approach designed to shorten the hormone treatment needed for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg freezing.
Novartis drops Alzheimer’s program; Windward files for IPO; GSK wins hepatitis B approval
Latest NewsBeyond the main headlines, European biotech kept moving this week. This edition of Meanwhile in Biotech covers an Alzheimer’s program dropped from Novartis’ pipeline, a Swiss biotech’s Nasdaq ambitions, a hepatitis B approval and new directions in RNA medicines and neuroscience.
New CEO for the next level
AppointmentsThe Belgian biotech company Spica Therapeutics, specialist for Macrophages biology, appointed Jeff Abbey as new Chief Executive Officer in October.
ESMO 2026: The biggest announcements from European biopharma
Latest NewsThe European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress is one of the biggest events on the cancer research calendar, where clinical results can reshape treatment decisions and drug developers’ prospects. This year, Immatics presented new data for its PRAME-targeting therapies, BioNTech expanded the evidence for its bispecific antibody pumitamig, and AstraZeneca reported survival gains across several cancers. Here’s our roundup of the most important announcements from European biopharma.
Immatics shows off its PRAME bispecific data at ESMO 2026
Latest NewsGermany-based cancer immunotherapy specialist Immatics presented updated clinical data for two PRAME-targeted drug candidates at the ESMO Congress 2026 in Madrid. Particularly striking is the survival signal for the bispecific T-cell engager IMA402: In a subgroup of patients with advanced melanoma and high PRAME expression, 91% were still alive after one year. Median overall survival had not yet been reached at the time of analysis.
Spago Nanomedical seeks delisting to finance cancer drug development
Latest NewsSweden’s Spago Nanomedical will ask shareholders on Nov. 19 to approve delisting from Nasdaq First North, arguing that its listing obstructs financing on acceptable terms for Phase 2a development of its Tumorad radiopharmaceutical in head and neck cancer.