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Merck & Co's Viralytics Buy Puts Oncolytic Viruses Back In Spotlight

 
• By Kevin Grogan

The US major is spending $394m to get hold of Cavatak, an immunotherapy that it hopes will work well in combination with the anti-PD-1 blockbuster Keytruda.

Merry-go-round
All aboard: Merck & Co is the latest big pharma to take part in M&A this year • Source: Shutterstock

Merck & Co. Inc. has jumped on the merger and acquisitions merry-go-round to snap up Australia's Viralytics Ltd. and broaden its research efforts in oncolytic virus therapy.

The US giant is paying A$502m ($394m), or A$1.75 per share, which represents a premium of 160% to the Sydney-headquartered...

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Dispatch Uses ‘Flare’ To Send CAR-Ts To Solid Tumors

 
• By Alaric DeArment

With $216m in initial funding, the newly launched company is aiming to develop a cell therapy-based universal immuno-oncology option for solid tumor indications.

Chinese Biotechs Sweep ADC Plus PD-(L)1/VEGF Bispecific Combos Into Phase II

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Chinese firms Junshi, Minghui and RemeGen rank among the world’s few players progressing antibody-drug conjugates combined with PD-(L)1/VEGF bispecific antibodies in Phase II trials for various cancers.

Sino Biopharm Scoops LaNova In Chinese Pharma’s Biggest Biotech Buyout So Far

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Sino Biopharm will pay almost $1bn to acquire what target LaNova’s CEO described as an “exploding” pipeline, which includes six clinical-stage candidates in the oncology area.

Glenmark Chief On IGI’s Landmark Trispecific Deal: Strong Data Excited AbbVie

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

Glenmark’s managing director talks about IGI’s billion dollar-plus deal with AbbVie, ISB-2001’s striking data, the BEAT platform, other "exciting" pipeline assets and the "blood, sweat and tears" to get to this stage.

More from Anticancer

Genentech Gets Columvi Complete Response Following ODAC’s No

 
• By Joseph Haas

Seeking to move Columvi into second-line DLBCL, Genentech got an FDA letter saying the Phase III STARGLO study’s benefits may have been driven by results in Asian enrollees.

BMS’s Reblozyl Misses Primary Endpoint In Myelofibrosis Anemia

 
• By Alaric DeArment

The drugmaker announced topline results from the Phase III INDEPENDENCE trial, which did meet key secondary endpoints.

AI-First, Big Pharma, Chinese Firms In Race - What’s Ahead For PRMT5 Inhibitors

 
• By Vibha Ravi

As AI-driven firms including Insilico, big pharmas J&J, Amgen, GSK and AstraZeneca and Chinese and Indian firms like BeOne and Dr. Reddy’s advance PRMT5 inhibitor candidates, what’s driving interest, what could lead to the first global approval and what are the challenges ahead?