Public Company Edition: Instil Bio, Connect Biopharma, Finch Therapeutics, Gain Therapeutics and four heath care-focused SPACs launched initial public offerings; Endo raised $1.3bn via note sale; and Rubius Therapeutics, Solid Biosciences and others priced follow-on offerings.

Public Company Edition: Benefitting from hope that biopharma interventions will help the coronavirus pandemic, the industry is faring better than others in the stock market, including the ability to launch IPOs. Also, BridgeBio leads recent financings and PDL is on track to dissolve by year-end.

Private Company Edition: The VC firm and start-up factory Flagship Pioneering brings in new cash for existing investments, tapping into investors eager to back "big, bold platform ideas" in the life sciences. Also, new financings include $100m-plus deals for Harmony and Beam.

Investor appetite for cell and gene therapy companies has skyrocketed during the past year. However, storm clouds may gather as manufacturing and reimbursement challenges remain.