Leading US biotech Alexion is to collaborate with two European biotechs, Affibody and Zealand, on early-stage products for rare diseases, involving bivalent antibody-mimetic scaffolds and novel peptides.

Alexion thinks Dicerna’s RNAi technology could address complement-mediated conditions further upstream from antibodies like Soliris. AbbVie takes over CF collaboration with Galapagos, paying $45m up front.

Alexion’s third deal this year brings privately held Syntimmune and its Phase Ib/IIa candidate for three IgG-mediated rare disorders, including warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia, for a $400m upfront price tag.

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.