CSL and Alentis Therapeutics have entered into an exclusive global collaboration agreement to co-develop and co-promote lixudebart, which has the potential to become a first-in-class therapy targeting claudin-1 across a range of kidney, liver and other diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, Alentis will receive a… Read More
The results of a new study show AI/ML investment jumping after three flat years, with three quarters (76%) of respondents planning to increase spending on technology in the next two years, up from 60% in 2023, 62% in 2024, and 63% in 2025. However, the leading barrier… Read More
Alector has granted Genentech worldwide rights to develop and commercialise its AL050 programme, a brain-penetrant engineered glucocerebrosidase (GCase) enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). As part of the deal, Alector will receive a $100 million upfront payment, with potential for up to $1.17 billion in additional milestone payments, as… Read More
Shionogi has announced plans to acquire IntraBio, a biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, for $2 billion. The transaction will add Aqneursa (levacetylleucine) and IntraBio’s capabilities in the rare disease area to Shionogi’s growing portfolio. Aqneursa was approved by the FDA in September 2024… Read More
Eli Lilly and Gate Bioscience have expanded their collaboration to discover, develop, and commercialise molecular gate therapeutics. The expanded collaboration adds one target, with the opportunity to add a second target, to the companies’ existing work. The programmes leverage Gate’s Molecular Gate drug discovery engine… Read More
Ahead of the Budget, UK life sciences groups have called on the Chancellor to prioritise investment in new medicines. The UK government has set out bold targets for the UK’s life sciences sector. By 2030, it wants the UK to lead Europe in commercial research and development… Read More
Biopharma dealmaking confidence is strengthening, a new survey has revealed, but access to capital remains the defining challenge. BIO-Europe’s Biopharma C-Suite Agenda Survey 2026 surveyed 81 senior biopharma executives, including 50 CEOs. The survey results demonstrate that 75% expect partnering and M&A appetite to increase… Read More
SciBrunch Therapeutics and MSD (or Merck & Co) have entered into an exclusive global license agreement for SPR2015, an investigational preclinical oral KRAS G12D (ON) inhibitor. Under the agreement, SciBrunch has granted MSD exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialise SPR2015 worldwide. SciBrunch will receive… Read More
In his editorial comment for the Fall 2026 issue of DDW, Editor Reece Armstrong discusses innovation, investment, and how these come together in the Drug Discovery Innovators & Investors (DDII) event series. In my time with DDW, I’ve learned first-hand about the challenges drug discovery and development… Read More
Australian radiopharmaceuticals spinout, Skopos Bio, has launched with an AUD$12 million (US$8.3 million) seed round, led by a global investor syndicate. The company was founded by three clinical and translational scientists from Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac), who continue to treat patients and lead research:… Read More
Breye Therapeutics has closed an over-subscribed €67.5 million Series A financing round. The round was co-led by new investor Mission BioCapital and existing investor Novo Holdings, with participation from existing investor Sound Bioventures and additional new investors including the Ljungström family office, Innovestor Life Science, EIFO, Catalyze… Read More
Scarlet Therapeutics has entered into an agreement with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to advance the development of smart red blood cells (SRBCs). Scarlet will lead a multidisciplinary consortium to develop SRBCs in a programme worth up to $14 million. The agreement builds… Read More
An open letter from the chairs of AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi Group, Ipsen, GSK, Novo, Novartis, Roche, and Sanofi has urged European governments to create conditions that attract investment in next-generation medicines. They argue that Europe is losing ground to global competition, with over $600 billion in… Read More
A new agreement grants Novo a global exclusive license to Nanexa’s PharmaShell atomic layer deposition (ALD) drug delivery technology platform for certain therapeutic peptide drugs in indications including obesity, type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases. The collaboration includes development of long-acting injectable formulations with different administration-frequency… Read More
Palomar Labs (formerly Negev Labs), a venture studio that builds companies around neuropsychiatric drug development programmes with prior human validation, has announced the spinout of Ariadne Bio, its first portfolio company. Ariadne Bio launches with lead programme AB-300, a clinical-stage-ready, non-hallucinogenic serotonin 2A receptor agonist in development… Read More
Novo Nordisk and Orbis Medicines have announced a strategic collaboration and license agreement to discover and develop oral macrocycle therapeutics for cardiometabolic diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, Orbis Medicines is eligible to receive up to $1.4 billion in upfront and potential development and commercial milestone… Read More
