Evotec and Takeda aim to develop at least five drug candidates by leveraging the German group’s discovery platform.

Evotec upped its full-year guidance after a strong second quarter that saw an important strategic expansion into the biologics space through the acquisition of Just Biotherapeutics Inc.

European firms Amryt and Evotec have signed agreements to acquire two companies based across the Atlantic – Aegerion and Just Biotherapeutics, respectively. 

Freeline Therapeutics, I-Mab Biopharma, Kaleido Biosciences and Precision BioSciences raised more than $100m each, but Chinese start-ups continue to bring in some of this year's largest venture capital mega rounds, with $220m in Series C cash to fund development of immuno-oncology and inflammatory disease drug candidates.