Looking back at the deal landscape of 2020, large-scale deals were overtaken by smaller transactions, though volume was up, driven by pandemic-related business.

CEO Durso says Intercept is aiming to refile its NDA by end of 2021, but several departures in recent months indicate pessimism on NASH prospects to some analysts.

Plus deals involving Sanofi/SIRION, Merck KGAA/Day One, Beijing Tide/Graviton, Vaccinex/Surface Oncology, Athena/Tris, Biomunex/Onward, Cellectis/Cytovia

Otividex did not significantly reduce vertigo three months after treatment, so Otonomy appears to be moving on from Meniere’s disease and focusing on earlier-stage tinnitus and hearing loss candidates.

Anticipating approval this summer of the first drug for PFIC, Albireo hopes to add Alagille syndrome and biliary atresia to odevixibat labeling. Firm has modeled its commercial plans on the success of other rare disease firms.

Plus deals involving Scynexis/Hansoh, Cend/Qilu, Apollomics/Edison, Apollomics/Iterion, Apollomics/Nuance, Aerami/Chance, Antibe/Nuance, Ildong/Arbormed