Suzhou-based immuno-oncology specialist CStone raised a $260m Series B round and Brii launched with $260m in Series A cash to develop drugs for the China market. Also, multiple start-ups launched recently with more than $50m in Series A rounds, including Ansun, Beam, Casma, Celsius and Neurana.

Celgene won the first approval for a drug developed under its aggressive deal-making strategy in 2017 and several potential blockbusters in its partnered pipeline are edging closer to the market. Ozanimod will soon face regulatory approval, but the next-in-line acquired asset GED-0301 had a major setback. Scrip considers the contribution externally derived products have made – and will make – to Celgene’s business.

Israeli firm Insightec appoints former Mako Surgical co-founder and chair as CEO, ACell taps new president and CEO, and more personnel updates from JenaValve Technology, Zeltiq and Reva Medical.

In spite of increasing price pressure, the $9 billion global spine market is projected to see low-single-digit growth in the next few years. Driving growth are the pure-play spine companies targeting high-growth segments such as minimally invasive surgery, expandable interbody cases, cervical discs, and deformity.