Nektar is hoping the combination of bempegaldesleukin and Opdivo could have better chances in kidney and bladder cancers, but analysts aren’t sure and see other IL-2 therapeutics as having better prospects.

Not only are larger firms acquiring smaller competitors or expanding portfolios by adding brands, private equity and venture capital groups accelerate buying into sector. The latest is New Mountain Capital-owned Aceto acquiring Biotron Laboratories and its Talus Mineral business.

Preliminary data from Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory study suggest famotidine could mitigate inflammatory symptoms of COVID-19 in adults. Research sponsored by Nestle Health Science in Canada also points to remote studies likely to continue after emerging as a pandemic innovation.

Nestle Health Science has expanded its nutritional footprint steadily since 2017 but investing in Orgain, with option to fully acquire in 2024 brings its first business working exclusively with plant-based ingredients.