Finance Watch has noted $1.1bn worth of venture capital deals so far in 2019. Meanwhile, public offerings continue to be muted by the US government shutdown, though Revance and others sold shares. Also, Five Prime and others reveal layoffs and strategic shifts.

Bluebird has been an active deal maker as it looks to add tools, targets and technological capabilities to its R&D engine. A pair of August TCR-focused deals, including the latest with Gritstone, continue that strategy.

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.