When the Swiss company files RBX2660 in the US later this year to reduce recurrences of Clostridioides difficile infection, it will be the first time any firm has tried to get a non-antibiotic product approved to address an infectious disease. Ferring president Per Falk tells Scrip about the 35-year journey to get to this stage and why standardization is key when it comes to microbiome-based therapy.

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.

Private Company Edition: Also, Medicxi’s new €200m fund will be reinvested in a portfolio of six life science companies and Silverback more than doubled its 2020 money with an $85m series C round.

Competing with several other firms to bring the first microbiome-derived therapy to market, Seres says the magnitude of its Phase III efficacy compared to placebo may enough for registrational filing.