Vifor CEO Stefan Schulze tells Scrip that an expanded deal with Korsuva developer Cara Therapeutics means the US biotech will not have to invest in a commercial organization as the Swiss firm will mobilize its well-established sales force to launch the treatment for dialysis patients with CKD-associated pruritus.

Cara Therapeutics and licensee Vifor Pharma have released positive topline data from the KALM-2 study in chronic kidney disease patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus undergoing hemodialysis, using a first-in-class selective kappa opioid receptor agonist which does not enter the CNS.

Bristol-Myers Squibb will partner with the biotech accelerator to fund and launch biotechs, with the pharma getting an option to buy. Novartis signs another agreement with IFM months after buying its IFM Tre affiliate.

Public Company Edition: Two months before the deadline for the company's sNDA, the US FDA has not indicated it will hold an advisory committee meeting for the triglyceride-lowering drug. Also, Seattle Genetics raises $575m, Atara and Ra bring in $150m each and Cara completes $145.5m offering.