More than 100 biopharma executives and experts told Scrip their predictions for therapeutic area advances in the coming year. The recent commercial success of GLP-1s in diabetes and obesity and their potential in further disease areas fuelled excitement around the metabolic space. Expectations were also positive in neurology following the launch of Leqembi for Alzheimer’s disease in 2023, while the multiple opportunities to improve cancer treatment kept oncology top of the pile overall.

In Canada, an impressive roster of machine learning companies and institutions highlights the research being conducted there. However, a paucity of VC funding and few experienced C-suite leaders has stunted the commercialization of great ideas. 

Plus deals involving Lipocine/Verity, Vivtex/AI Proteins, Windtree/Lee’s Pharmaceutical, Biogen/Ji Xing, Sermonix/Henlius and news from the world of technology transfer.

Private Company Edition: Playground’s third fund has $410m for tech, including biotech, Pivotal Life Sciences closed its second fund with $389m and Chugai will invest $200m through its new fund. Also, Tome launched with $213m, Sudo raised a $116m series B and Odyssey closed a $101m in series C.