Public Company Edition: Five biopharma firms went public in the US in recent weeks, but Inhibrx withdrew its IPO and Monopar postponed its offering. Also, Tot Biopharm launched an IPO in Hong Kong, while Epizyme sold royalties and issued debt to raise up to $270m.

CF-focused Vertex will buy Exonics and expand a collaboration with CRISPR Therapeutics, with plans to develop therapies for DMD and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Merck acquires TGFβ-focused Tilos, while Achaogen offloads most of its assets at auction.

AgomAb, CinCor and Confo Therapeutics secure Series A financing, while AlloVir closes a $121m Series B and more venture financing in April and May.

The VC firm known for its new company formation efforts will launch 10-12 biopharma, device and diagnostic ventures with its fifth fund. Also, EpimAb raises a $74m series B round, three more drug developers join the IPO queue and Amicus leads recent follow-on offerings.