Finance, Grants, Deals

BioNTech AG, a German company with messenger RNA technology suitable for human therapeutics, has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Sanofi SA to discover and develop up to five cancer immunotherapies.

Germany-based CureVac, which is developing vaccines based on messenger RNA technology, has raised $110 million in a private share placement to support development of its pipeline. Concurrently it is changing its legal structure to become a joint stock company.

Shire Plc has announced an agreed takeover of Massachusetts-based Dyax Corp for $5.9 billion upfront while saying that it still has the resources to pursue an unsolicited all-share bid for Baxalta, a recent spin-out of Baxter International.

Infirst Healthcare Ltd, which improves and repackages existing retail drugs, has obtained further funding from its principal investor, Invesco Asset Management Ltd, in order to launch its cold and pain relief products on the UK retail market. 

Ireland-based Allergan Plc has confirmed that it has been approached by Pfizer Inc regarding a potential merger, and that preliminary friendly discussions are underway. The talks come 18 months after Pfizer abandoned an unsolicited bid for AstraZeneca Plc.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc, a pioneer in the field of cystic fibrosis, has turned to gene editing technology to help it advance its portfolio of drugs that target gene-based diseases.

Germany-based Curetis BV has announced the terms of an initial public offering of its shares on the Euronext exchanges in Amsterdam and Brussels which aims to raise €29.3 million for the commercialisation of its molecular diagnostic system for serious infectious diseases.

Symphogen A/S has reached agreement with its investors on a €67.5 million convertible debt facility that will help finance the clinical development of an antibody drug candidate for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The funds will also support development of two preclinical cancer compounds. 

Switzerland-based Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd has filed a registration document with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in preparation for a listing of its shares on the Nasdaq over-the-counter market.

Spain-based Minoryx Therapeutics sl, which is developing drugs for rare diseases, has raised €19.4 million in a Series A funding round to progress its lead candidate into the clinic for multiple disorders of the central nervous system.