Turku, Finland-based Forendo Pharma has entered into a license and collaboration deal with Novartis involving the identification of novel drugs to treat chronic liver diseases.

A PFS benefit and favorable tolerability profile associated with AstraZeneca’s BTK inhibitor acalabrutinib used first-line in CLL, when given alone or combined with obinutuzumab, may serve it well against entrenched competitors and BTK inhibitors in clinical development.

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