Drug makers are more enthusiastic than ever about the outlook for developing drugs for Alzheimer's. Scrip reports back on the latest developments at CTAD.

Only 25 more initial public offerings are needed for 2021 to beat 2020’s record-breaking 86 IPOs. However, the average return for this year’s offerings is just 1.1% as of 1 July versus 11% at the end of the first quarter.

Public Company Edition: Almost halfway through the year, initial public offerings equal nearly three-quarters of the 2020 total. Also, Pardes is one of four new SPAC mergers; HUTCHMED launched an IPO in Hong Kong; and Zentalis, Theravance and BioXcel launched follow-on offerings.

New company licenses obicetrapib from Amgen after previous companies’ setbacks in CETP class and works with FDA on a Phase III protocol. BMS buys protein-engineering specialist Forbius.