Influence of expedited review pathways and regulatory incentives is on display in 2020’s novel approvals, which have a composition reassuringly consistent with recent years.

The French biotech's chances of competing with Aimmune's Palforzia in the peanut allergy market have been boosted after US regulators decided that a fresh Phase III trial for the Viaskin Peanut patch would not be required for resubmission.

A $70m fund will back prior investments, while a $430m fund will launch new biotech firms. Harper and Seidenberg tapped into their Amgen connections for the CEO who helms new company Acelyrin.

Pfizer’s abrocitinib and Biogen/Eisai’s aducanumab are among a host of new investigational products that are under review by the European Medicines Agency.