Phase II/III studies are underway for Mesoblast’s remestemcel-L and Athersys’ Multistem, followed by a pack of earlier-stage stem cell candidates from Pluristem, Hope Bioscience and Celltex – with an interactive chart of the COVID-19 cell therapy pipeline.

CAR-T therapies from Janssen, Celgene and others will get a lot of attention at the annual hematology meeting, including candidates with novel constructs and targets. 

Once expected to be absorbed by Sanofi, US biotech Warp Drive Bio now will become part of California’s Revolution Medicines in a stock transaction. Sosei elects against its option to acquire MiNA Therapeutics; MeiraGTX follows its June IPO with takeout of Vector Neurosciences. Other recent mergers and acquisitions... 

Biopharma start-ups finally had an increase in financing activity, following three sequential quarters with a decrease. A review of biopharma start-up dealmaking and financing activity from January through March 2018, based on data from Strategic Transactions.