The current coronavirus vaccines focus on the spike protein but the UK's Scancell believes it has a candidate that also targets the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein which could help tackle existing and future variants.

Merck pays undisclosed upfront fees and promises up to $500m for milestones under licensing and collaboration agreement. Meanwhile, Tetraphase and Xerava are being acquired by La Jolla, after previous bids by Melinta and AcelRx.

Pharma pays $100m up front and makes $20m equity investment for rights to three preclinical cancer programs. Plus more than 20 deal summaries, including COVID-19-related transactions.

An industry consortium will drive forward new manufacturing processes in parallel with the Oxford group’s COVID-19 vaccine clinical studies; these studies could produce Phase III efficacy results by this autumn.