Entries by Georg Kääb

Bold UK-Strategy in Life Sciences

The UK Government launched a ten-year Life Sciences Sector Plan to drive innovation and health reform within the NHS. This Life Sciences Sector Plan is part of its broader Industrial Strategy.

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Clinical data meet preclinical validation: Axxam´s partnership with Molecular Health

That deserves a closer look: The recently announced partnership between Axxam S.p.A., a leading provider of integrated early discovery services, and Molecular Health GmbH, a pioneer in AI-powered data solutions for pharmaceutical R&D, is more than a standard collaboration. It exemplifies the convergence of consolidated in-vitro biology-led drug discovery with modern, data-intelligent drug development methodologies. As an example for breaking the silos of clinical and preclinical target validation.

Oncomatryx Secures EU Funding to Advance Antibody-Drug Conjugate Platform

Spanish biotechnology company Oncomatryx Biopharma has been selected for funding under the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, part of the EU’s Horizon Europe 2021–2027 Research and Innovation Programme. The award includes a €2.5 million grant and a €10 million equity investment, to be deployed in the company’s next financing round to proceed with the proprietary ADC platform.

Verona Pharma: A Transatlantic Success Story in the Biotech Landscape

The planned US$10 billion acquisition of UK-based Verona Pharma by US pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. underscores several key dynamics reshaping the global biotech industry. Not only does the deal reflect Merck’s strategic push to diversify in anticipation of the looming patent expiry of its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda, but it also highlights the growing appeal of European biotech for US investors.

Nuclidium fuels next radiopharma wave

Basel-based NUCLIDIUM AG has successfully closed a Series B financing round of CHF 79 million (EUR 84 million) to advance the development of its copper-based radiopharmaceutical platform. The round was led by Kurma Growth Opportunities Fund, Angelini Ventures, Wellington Partners, and Neva SGR, a company of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group.

Actithera: Radiopharma Funding Gathers Huge Momentum

The biotech company Actithera, with locations in Cambridge, USA, and Oslo, Norway, has successfully closed a major Series A round, raising US $75.5 million. Its isotope-agnostic platform — designed with a specific focus on the interaction between linker and target molecule — has attracted strong interest from a wide range of investors. However, the path to this achievement was not as straightforward as anticipated, CEO Andreas Goutopoulos told European Biotech News.

French Afyren starts production of bio-acids – CEO in interview

AFYREN’s first biorefinery, AFYREN NEOXY, has reached continuous production, marking a key step toward large-scale commercialisation of its bio-based acids. The plant will now ramp up output and fulfill long-term contracts across key sectors like nutrition, cosmetics, and life sciences. European Biotech News talked to CEO Nicolas Sordet about the long and winding road to sucess.

NLS and Kadimastem: Swiss-israeli merger in ALS

NLS Pharmaceutics secures US$2m equity funding and signs US$25m equity facility to support merger with Kadimastem (Israel) to combine expertise in aiming to become a leader in regenerative medicine in neurodegenerative disorders.

Zürich, 31 March 2025 –

Antimicrobial resistance: Q&A with CARB-X about the fight against AMR

Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) is an industry alliance to support research and development projects in AMR. Since its inception in 2016, CARB-X has supported 114 R&D projects across 14 countries, leading to 18 projects advancing into or completing clinical trials. EBM talked to CARB-X Executive Director Kevin Outterson.