Denmark’s biotech Genmab has dropped the AXL targeted antibody-drug conjugate, enapotamab vedotin from early clinical development, and is focusing its resources on other therapeutic programs.

Public Company Edition: Three companies postponed or withdrew their offerings, but drug developers continue to pursue IPOs. Also, Biocon, BMS and Epizyme raised money through new debt, Five Prime capitalized on positive data and Synthetic Biologic engaged a strategic advisor.

Plus deals involving BioAtla/BeiGene, OliX/Thea, Chugai/Argenx, Shionogi/HanaVax, TaiGen/Luminairie, Novartis/1Yao.com, Sperogenix/Minoryx, Quantum/Orient EuroPharma and AtomWise/GC Pharma.

Private Company Edition: The average exit from biopharma investments rose from $356.8m in 2019 to $520.6m in 2020, explaining the staggering $12bn invested in the industry during the first half of this year versus $17bn for all of last year. In recent VC deals, VelosBio’s $137m series B was the largest.