GSK takes equity stake in Spero, and global rights to tebipenem except for certain Asian markets. Merck KGaA gets rights to Nerviano’s next-generation PARP inhibitor for cancer.

Zydus has established proof of concept for ZYIL1, a NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor to treat cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, via Phase II trials in Australia. Will the oral drug have an upper hand over injectables like Novartis’ Ilaris?

Private Company Edition: While the tough state of financing for publicly traded drug developers continues, venture capital firms and private biopharma companies revealed billions of dollars in new VC funds and start-up financings, including $100m-plus mega-rounds for Tessa, Alladapt and ImCheck.

The latest drug development news and highlights from the Pink Sheet’s US FDA Performance Tracker