Ahead of the usual flurry of deal-making in January, Roche gets retinal cell therapy candidate from Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Pfizer subsidiary Amplyx licenses antiviral candidate to Vera, and GSK expands neurology tie-up with Ligand.

Roy Jakobs was appointed internally to head connected care at Philips on 28 January, shortly before COVID-19 forced the first of many lockdowns around the world. The disruption prompted a rapid rethink of priorities, which has shown opportunities for lasting health care system change.

Further details of Merck KGaA/Pfizer-funded JAVELIN Bladder 100 study presented at this year’s ASCO confirm avelumab’s survival benefit when used as front-line maintenance therapy in patients with advanced urothelial cancer that has not progressed following initial chemotherapy.

This week's roundup includes CEO appointments by CRISPR Therapeutics and KSQ Therapeutics, in addition to various other board and high-level appointments by Oncorus, Cellectis, BiOasis, Avillion and Revolution Medicines.