Private Company Edition: In recent weeks, 19 companies disclosed venture capital funding of $20m or more, including FogPharma with a $178m series D round and Apogee’s $169m launch. Also, Avalon BioVentures spun out of Avalon Ventures with a $135m fund.

California biotech also notes prior licensing deal with Gilead for mitochondrial candidate. Twentyeight-Seven acquires RNA-splicing cancer candidate from Basilea.

Seattle biotech raised $36m series A in March, now obtains glaucoma and AMD drug candidates along with delivery technology. Alligator, Orion partner on bispecific antibodies for cancer.

Company is ‘anxious to understand’ how to utilize the agency’s views on importance of biomarkers, exec notes in earnings call. Merck & Co. and Pfizer advance COVID-19 therapeutics into Phase III. Pfizer is awaiting FDA risk-benefit assessment of JAK-1 inhibitors Xeljanz and abrocitinib.