ImmPACT Bio is advancing three CAR-T technology platforms that aim to address problems such as antigen escape, off-target toxicities and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. 

Flagship Pioneering raised $1.1bn to fund life science companies emerging from Flagship Labs. ARCH, another frequent start-up co-founder, raised two funds totaling $1.46bn to back early-stage biotech.

Public Company Edition: Grossing $276m, Gossamer would have been the third-largest biopharma IPO in the US if it had launched last year. Also, recent public company financings include debt and follow-on offerings; and two more firms cut jobs – Capricor and Seres.

Gossamer took an infrequently used path to go public during a US government shutdown that's kept the SEC from processing new offerings. Also, IPO filings (and withdrawals) and follow-on offerings continued during the shutdown, while VC deals keep up a brisk pace.