Last year proved to be another record period for securities class actions, with a 13% increase in cases filed compared with 2018, and a 24% increase in claims brought against life sciences companies compared with 2018, according to a report by Cornerstone Research: Securities Class Action Filings: 2019 Year In Review.

Germany’s Cardior is conducting clinical studies with an antisense oligonucleotide which inhibits a cellular microRNA believed to be involved in the pathology of heart failure, and is attracting attention from other pharma companies interested in the potential of this new mechanism of action.

Public Company Edition: Trevi Therapeutics was the first out of the gate on 7 May, but four more biopharma firms went public in the US on 8 May, while just 13 IPOs launched between January and April. Also, new financings include debt for BMS, Bausch and Intercept.

Emerging Company Profile: Spruce and Neurocrine are both testing CRF-R1 antagonists for the orphan disease congenital adrenal hyperplasia, with Phase II data coming soon.