Hundreds of executives showed up at an inaugural biotech summit organized by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, setting the stage for a showdown between the territory and the most popular destination for biotech IPOs, Nasdaq in the US. Despite recent rule changes to allow pre-revenue biotechs to gain a listing more easily, executives still see hurdles that are associated with Hong Kong's close proximity to the very market it is trying to allure, mainland China.

The latest biopharma industry personnel moves include a new executive hires at Roche, Lilly Oncology, Ipsen and Syros, a resignation at Five Prime, plus new board appointments at EUSA, Autolus and Forendo. 

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Dealmaking column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment – In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced in January 2018.

Moderna raised $500m to fund its growing pipeline, choosing once again to stay private rather than pursue an IPO. Also, AvroBio closed a $60m Series B round to advance its gene therapies for lysosomal storage disorders, Seattle Genetics led recent public company financings, and Vical is restructuring.