Astellas’ chief strategy officer, Adam Pearson, talks to Scrip about the company’s launch execution thrust for key therapies ahead of the loss of exclusivity for Xtandi and also deal-making appetite and choices, including the Iveric Bio buyout and walking away from the collaboration with Cartesian Therapeutics.

The last quarter of 2023 was an exciting one for the cell and gene therapy sector – with the first-ever approval for a CRISPR-based therapeutic in the US and an increase in Phase III trials in the overall CGT pipeline. 

Plus deals involving Abliva/Owl, Selecta/Cartesian, Novo Nordisk/Genevant, AbbVie/Aldeyra and more.

Public Company Edition: Cancer-focused Adlai Nortye launched a concurrent initial public offering and private placement, while four other drug developers announced or completed SPAC mergers. Also, Sobi grossed $540m in a rights issue and Immunovant followed early data with a $450m FOPO.