Big pharma R&D leaders discuss the confluence of technology and biotech driving insights into biology and how industry is doing in terms of identifying patients earlier in disease.

AbbVie inks collaboration and option deal focused on targeted protein degradation with Plexium. Cend and Calabrius merge in an all-stock transaction.

By hijacking a process that cells use to keep themselves shipshape, targeted protein degradation has become a hot new area of drug development. In Vivo takes an in-depth look at the field ahead of a wave of data expected this year from early candidates that will give some insight into whether this strategy will truly open a new way to combat disease.

Private Company Edition: Panelists at Biocom’s Global Life Science Partnering Conference noted a shift in the types of early-stage drug developers getting venture funding going forward. In recent financings, Synthego closed a $200m series E and Plexium raised $102m.