Funding

Six $1bn+ alliances were penned in November, and three exceeded $2bn.

Data provided by Biomedtracker show that data-driven methodologies within R&D are propelling life sciences to unprecedented advancements. It is making drug development faster, more efficient and more personalized.

Attrition among biotechs and VCs holding onto their reserve capital for existing investments may have reduced the capital available for new life sciences funding, but UK-based LifeArc Ventures believes its recent activity is indicative of a general upswing.

The company’s CD40 agonist mitazalimab has impressed in Phase II trials as a potential treatment for pancreatic cancer but with no partner in place yet and a lack of funds, Alligator has to cut 70% of its staff to keep going.

The Carlyle-backed venture capital group is said to be working on a new fund to help finance up to eight late-stage clinical studies through potential partnerships with big pharma for a share of royalties. The move would be in keeping with its recent investment activities.

Emerging Company Profile: Resalis will soon start human trials of an oligonucleotide targeting a microRNA that is overexpressed in obese mice, but much remains to be proven in humans.

Medtech Insight was on the ground at HLTH looking for innovative companies. Learn about seven start-ups using AI to help physicians detect conditions including prostate and breast cancers, seizures and heart failure; assess patients for cognitive decline validate and deploy algorithms, and monitor patients in and out of the hospital.