financeScancell plots reverse-merger path to NasdaqUK immunotherapy developer Scancell has confirmed talks to acquire Nasdaq-listed Neuphoria Therapeutics, in a move that could give the Oxford-based biotech a faster route to US public markets. more ➔
Start-upEMBL spin-off Epitome launches with €4MVienna-based Epitome Therapeutics has launched with €4 million in total financing to advance a new epigenome-editing platform designed to precisely control gene expression. more ➔
Watchlist8 European VC firms to watch in 2026European biotech enters 2026 in a strange, almost contradictory mood. The easy-money years are gone, the post-pandemic correction has done its damage, and investors are no longer rewarding science … more ➔
M&AIpsen buys Kartos in $1.75bn myelofibrosis pushParis-based Ipsen has agreed to acquire US biotech Kartos Therapeutics in a deal worth up to $1.75bn, adding a late-stage blood cancer programme to its growing oncology pipeline. more ➔
clinical dataProQR validates RNA editing platform and raises $59.2mProQR 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 … more ➔
licensingRecordati secures ex-U.S. rights to Ionis’ Alexander disease therapyItalian 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 … more ➔
EmploymentADC Therapeutics cuts 17% of staff after safety setbackADC 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. more ➔
licensingNovartis signs up to $1.9bn deal to tap Antares’ undruggable-target engineNovartis 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 … more ➔
fundraisingLeyden Labs adds €40m for intranasal flu preventionDutch 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. more ➔
fundraisingRQ Bio raises $115m for long-acting flu antibodyLondon’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. more ➔
