Japan bioventure BioComo was set up around 10 years ago and has since been honing its technology platform. It is now preparing to move into the clinic with a novel vector for immuno-oncology and to raise new funds to support pipeline development.

Several newly repurposed drugs, including a Bayer antimalarial, have shown potential benefits against the new coronavirus, promoting China to add several to its latest revised treatment guidelines.

After two Indian vaccine makers, Serum Institute of India and Cadila Healthcare joined the fight against COVID-19, Bharat Biotech may follow suit. Others like Hilleman have decided against it for the moment while Panacea Biotech is weighing the pros and cons of developing a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine after a sour experience with H1N1.

South Korea’s HLB has begun a new growth phase by taking over US-based clinical stage biotech firm Immunomic Therapeutics. Through the acquisition, it is poised to add new pipeline assets including a Phase II vaccine therapy for glioblastoma and proprietary lysosomal targeting technology.

Novartis’s first digital innovation hub in Asia is launched in India, where the Swiss company hopes to ally with partners to deliver digital solutions for patients at scale.

Glenmark can sell its partnered generic rival to GSK’s Seretide Accuhaler dry powder inhaler in certain European markets following a settlement with the UK company. The Indian firm has also shelved divestment plans for its API business, at least for now.

Germany’s family-controlled big pharma, Merck KGaA, is divesting its allergens business, Allergopharma to the fast-growing Munich healthcare company, Dermapharm Holding.

Vydaqel saw its uptake take off in the US last year. UK’s NICE to pass judgement on cost effectiveness by June.

The Mallorca-based biotech is building a strong data package for SNF472 which the company believes will be an effective treatment for a number of calcification disorders in dialysis patients.

The cost-effectiveness of combination therapies for untreated advanced renal cell carcinoma therapies comes under the spotlight as England's HTA body rejects an immunotherapy/kinase inhibitor combination in draft guidance.

Partnership includes provision for fast-tracked uptake of inclisiran in England, if NICE finds it cost effective.

Genfit will delay unblinding of data from its nearly complete Phase III study of elafibranor to get insight from the FDA on statistical methods in order to optimize its NDA.

South Korea’s HLB has begun a new growth phase by taking over US-based clinical stage biotech firm Immunomic Therapeutics. Through the acquisition, it is poised to add new pipeline assets including a Phase II vaccine therapy for glioblastoma and proprietary lysosomal targeting technology.

After probing pharmacokinetic data flaws in the first US Phase III study for its gene therapy Engensis, Korea's Helixmith concludes that these stemmed from clinical operation issues. As a result, it admits a failure to meet the primary endpoint but is still moving forward with new trials given signals of efficacy and safety in an extended study.

Aimmune has secured approval for the first ever peanut allergy treatment, but safety, cost and administration issues could limit the drug's uptake.

VGXI, a contract manufacturer of plasmid DNA and US subsidiary of Korea’s GeneOne Life Science, joins in the R&D efforts for a DNA vaccine against the new Wuhan coronavirus, using its proprietary manufacturing platform as part of a new agreement with Inovio.