While the SVB and wider banking crisis has shaken VCs and bioventures in the US and Europe, Japan has mixed view on its impact and the government is keeping an eye on the situation. But one biotech has nevertheless cautiously decided to withdraw from a market listing despite Tokyo Exchange Market approval.

Global CEOs of J&J, Pfizer, AbbVie and Takeda were among the top pharma executives attending the China Development Forum in its first in-person meeting in three years, and highlighted a number of pharma-related policy changes they would like to see in China. Meanwhile, a Japanese employee of Astellas has been detained in the country for alleged espionage.

Vertex and CRISPR look beyond beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Also, Bicycle gets $50m up front in Novartis deal, Regeneron commits $75m initially under a Treg collaboration with Sonoma, and Jounce gets a better deal from Concentra to wave off Redx merger.

The Swiss major’s CDK4/6 inhibitor has met the primary endpoint in a pivotal breast cancer trial earlier than expected, with success in the intermediate risk group representing a $4bn opportunity untapped by rival Eli Lilly.

The first ever approval for ultra-rare immunodeficiency disease APDS gives Pharming its second product on the market but patient diagnosis will be a major challenge.

Acquisitions usually depress the stock price of the buyer to reflect the dilution and propel the shares of the acquired to reflect the premium. But not always.

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

The US firm’s Zynyz has won accelerated approval for the treatment of first-line Merkel cell carcinoma, bouncing back from a prior regulatory setback, but its third-to-market status leaves it with the crumbs under the table in this orphan indication.

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

The acceleration of efforts to increase diversity among clinical trial subjects is expected to continue in 2023. Furthermore, many executives hope for greater inclusivity within companies, from new recruits to leadership.

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

The US firm’s lead program has flunked a mid-stage trial in early Parkinson’s disease and, despite a promising efficacy signal in a younger patient cohort, its future remains uncertain.