With positive results from a Phase II proof of concept controlled human infection model study evaluating Neumifil under its belt, the Scottish biotech is preparing to put the drug through its paces in a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease trial next year.

Private Company Edition: Former Merck R&D head Roger Perlmutter and his new team have accessed drug candidates in oncology and neurodegenerative diseases from three companies, along with new funding. Also, Carmot raised $150m in series E equity and BenchSci brought in $70m.

Emerging Company Profile: UK biotech Pneumagen expects to enter clinical studies in 2021 with a potential first-in-class glycan-targeted protein for preventing respiratory tract infections.