The US biotech’s RSV treatment candidate has failed a Phase II study in low-risk patients leaving some experts skeptical of its hopes for potential improved performance in a high-risk setting.

In a surprise move, China has conditionally approved Pfizer’s oral COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid, a development that may have far-reaching consequences for the country's pandemic policies and domestic drug developers. 

Renaissance Capital expects an initial public offering surge in September; Biomedtracker data show financings for COVID-19 programs fell from Q1 to Q2; Revelation will merge with a special purpose acquisition corporation; Ascendis netted $379.3m in a follow-on offering; and Disc Medicine raised $90m in venture capital.

BioMed X teams with J&J on inflammation, drug delivery research. Stem cell firm Calidi inks licensing deals with U. of Chicago, City of Hope and Northwestern. MD Anderson teams with Blueprint and Hummingbird.