The diuretic bumetanide had shown potential to improve the core symptoms of children and adolescents with autism in small studies but has failed to demonstrate any sign of effectiveness in two late-stage trials.

New VC deals include a $60m series C-1 round for DiCE Molecules a day before it filed paperwork to support a $100m IPO and a $100m financing for China’s IONOVA Life Science. Also, RenovoRx was the 84th company to go public in the US this year and ADC Therapeutics executed a $325m royalty deal. 

GentiBio closed a $157m series A venture capital round, while clinical trial innovator Reify Health raised a $220m series C and Neurelis secured $150m. Also, IPOs slowed in August, but Adagio and Eliem grossed $309.4m and $80m, respectively, and RNA firm Greenlight will go public in a $282m SPAC deal. 

FDA’s external advisory committee process is under increasing scrutiny within the agency and by the public – and the agency is continuing to be very sparing in convening actual reviews.