More C-Suite level pharma executives are lending their domain expertise to private equity firms, which then use their skills for commercial due diligence on targets or in an operating partner role in portfolio companies once a deal is sealed. PEs are also increasingly opting for control deals, at least in India, with an aim to run the acquired firm professionally thereon.

Takeda has started off the new year by continuing down the path of partnerships to strengthen its core therapeutic areas, this time linking up with a US academic spin-out for a potential oral therapy for celiac disease.

Takeda continues to expand its interests in the gastrointestinal area through a joint research and development agreement with a small US venture for novel nanoparticle immune modulating therapies for celiac disease.

While not as high-profile as some other venture raises over the last year, Novimmune has pulled in CHF 200.5 million in Series B financing over 16 years. Plus, news on raises by Pronutria, Melinta, Argos and Arrowhead.