Public Company Edition: Direct Biologics, YishengBio and Estrella Biopharma will go public by merging with special purpose acquisition corporations. Also, Vir lands a government contract worth up to $1bn, Idorsia raises CHF164m ($167.4m) in a real estate deal and Adamis reviews alternatives.

Pharma will partner with SyntheX on targeted protein degradation, with Autolus on cell therapy safety. Novo Nordisk gets rights to Ventus’s lead compound in NASH and chronic kidney disease.

Many gene therapies companies have faced R&D and financial problems this year but the longer term potential of the field and low prices might tempt big pharma into deals.

Sio Gene, Genocea, Solid Biosciences, Saniona and Black Diamond join First Wave, Zosano, Vallon, Finch, Magenta, ProQR and Imara on the growing list of biopharma firms reducing headcount to make their cash last until valuations return to a level that may support new fundraising.