Sino Biopharm's $161m all-cash acquisition of F-star has finally closed amid heightening US-China tensions and following completion the Chinese firm, through its UK subsidiary invoX, plans to expand its operations and presence at F-star’s UK headquarters.

During Q2, biopharma merger and acquisition value reached $25.4bn and drew in $27.3bn in potential deal value from alliances. Device company M&A values reached $2.7bn, while in vitro diagnostic firms and research tools players completed M&A activity that totaled $534.3m.

Public Company Edition: William Blair analysts note that stock prices are rising due to a Q2 boost in dealmaking after a lull in Q1. Nevertheless, layoffs and portfolio prioritizations are ongoing, including at X4 Pharmaceuticals, but others have raised cash following good news, like Revolution Medicines.