Former Medivation CEO David Hung launched stealthy oncology start-up Nuvation with $275m in series A venture capital, while Tenaya's series B brought in $92m for small molecules as well as cell and gene therapies to treat cardiovascular diseases.

VC deals totaled $8.3bn in the first half of 2019, but the year's total rose to just $11.5bn at the end of September, reflecting only a $3.2bn third quarter gain. Among recent financings, Cygnal emerged from stealth mode with $65m invested to date.

Partnership will test Mustang’s MB-101 with a second-generation oncolytic HSV-1 virus for potential in treating brain cancer. Canadian biotech launched by CCAB to fight the same cancer.

The summer slowdown finally seems to have hit the US biopharma IPO market; after a hot July with nine offerings, there were just two during the first half of August. Also, Zogenix leads recent follow-ons with a $312m offering; venture capital planted in UK biotechs – Orchard and Blueberry.