M&A edition: Mergers by Century/Clade, Eliem/Tenet, Kintara/TuHURA, Aditxt/Appili, Onconova/Traws and Apotex/Searchlight follow other companies joining forces in a tight cash environment.

Global research and development for preventative vaccines and therapeutics to treat COVID-19 have progressed at a rapid pace. Still, key issues remain and to the dampen the effects of virus in 2022, even greater collaboration is needed.

Appili brings in AiPharma to help with US/Canadian development of Fujifilm’s potential COVID-19 preventative/therapeutic. Other recent tie-ups include CinFina/Janssen, Bone/Impant, Bayer/Gubra, Novartis/Theragnostics, Grifols/Biotest and more.

Most roads led to India in 2020 when it came to deals to expand access to COVID-19 therapies, but the challenging year also saw significant private equity interest and there are expectations of more action ahead in the new year.