Executives share their expectations and hopes around the multi-faceted topic of patient access to medicines. From health inequities to value assessment and reimbursement trends, expectations for change abound.

Roche will obtain options to license candidates discovered and optimized by Rheos under the collaboration. Jazz acquires US rights to PharmaMar SCLC candidate, while Biogen teams with both Ionis and Catalyst.

Public Company Edition: Bellus launched the first biopharma IPO in the US since mid-July and Vir Biotechnology, run by former Biogen CEO George Scangos, wants to raise $100m. Also, Turning Point's $202.5m offering and Zafgen's strategic review.

The VC firm known for its new company formation efforts will launch 10-12 biopharma, device and diagnostic ventures with its fifth fund. Also, EpimAb raises a $74m series B round, three more drug developers join the IPO queue and Amicus leads recent follow-on offerings.