Investors, advisors and CEOs at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and Biotech Showcase were somewhat optimistic about fundraising this year, but noted certain companies may have to call it quits.

Timing big M&A transactions to coincide with the biggest investor conference of the year is difficult. But getting it right can boost stocks across the sector.

Public Company Edition: Also, Johnson & Johnson’s consumer health spin-out Kenvue filed paperwork to get the ball rolling on an initial public offering. In addition, Geron raised $198m and Madrigal accessed more than $300m after positive trial readouts, but layoffs were revealed by Editas, Elevation, Nabriva and others.

Calithera’s most advanced oncological asset, telaglenastat, has failed in yet another indication, prompting the company to fall back on candidates in-licensed from Takeda just last month.