This week's roundup includes appointments by Merck KGaA, C4X Discovery Holdings, Paragon Bioservices and board appointments by Scholar Rock, Myovant Sciences and Gamida Cell.

Summarizing the month in European dealmaking.

Cell immortalization has become a fundamental tool for drug researchers seeking to test compounds in animal or human models. But the immortalization process can alter cell physiology, producing cells whose characteristics differ markedly from those of the primary cells from which they were derived. Xcellsyz's solution to that problem is its technology for conditionally immortalizing cells, which it plans to use both as part of a service business and in its internal drug discovery program.

In Vivo summarizes the technologies of these recently founded companies: Aviva Antibody Corp. will produce monoclonal antibodies for the post-genomics research efforts of future corporate partners. Corus Pharma Inc. will focus on the rapid clinical development and regulatory approval of small-molecule drugs for sleep disorders and respiratory diseases. Isogenica Ltd.'s Covalent Display, is an in vitro library technology for rapidly identifying polypeptides with high affinity and specificity for any given target. Liposonix Inc. will use high-intensity ultrasound to remove unwanted subcutaneous fat. Scienion AG will develop "future-oriented" biochips for use in genomics and proteomics research, DNA diagnostics and the drug discovery and development. Xcellsyz Ltd.'s platform for drug discovery and development is based on conditionally immortalized cell lines that retain many of the properties of primary cells.