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

With an unusually strong fundraising trajectory, Paris-based Bionyra Pharma emerged from stealth today with financing that marks the largest life sciences biopharma Series A round in Europe this year and the largest of all time in France. The company develops next-generation biologics for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and atopic dermatitis.

A restart from within: Molecular Health is becoming Lucera. After years of shifting corporate fortunes, a substantial part of Heidelberg-based Molecular Health is continuing in a new form. An investor consortium has acquired the company’s pharma technology business and relaunched it as Lucera GmbH. Dr Friedrich von Bohlen remains at the helm, while Dr Stephan Brock, the mind behind the Dataome data engine, also stays on board as CTO.