Second quarter performance was better than expected, but commercial weaknesses show the need for R&D wins and M&A deals as Tecfidera generics and aducanumab uncertainty weigh on the company.

The company told its Q2 call it plans to talk to regulators about a filing strategy for the amyloid-targeting antibody based on Phase II data. Spinraza had a strong quarter, but Biogen’s SMA gene therapy is on clinical hold. 

Cipla expands on its in-licensing strategy in India with Lilly’s insulin glargine product, while Aptose signs second agreement with CrystalGenomics to add Chinese rights for leukemia candidate CG-806, and Yakult gains Japanese rights to Verastem's duvelisib.

Sanofi completes the transition of its infectious disease unit to Evotec. Perhaps not yet done with virology, Gilead licenses technology for HIV/hep B vaccines from Hookipa.