Biotech licenses drug composition patents from University of Alaska Fairbanks for study in several disease states. Gilead seeks long-acting HIV therapy or prevention with broadly neutralizing antibodies discovered by Rockefeller U.

In tandem with Roivant, Cincinnati Children’s launches spinout Aruvant focused on hematologic disorders and separately teams with BridgeBio on genetic disease therapies. Roivant spinout Axovant licenses gene therapy candidates from University of Massachusetts.

Cancers, even those that initially respond to treatment, can become resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy; one of the causes behind this is the hypoxia found in some tumors. OncoTherics Ltd. is tackling this by developing non-toxic prodrugs that are activated to potent anticancer drugs in hypoxic conditions, selectively targeting the hard-to-treat cancer cells but sparing healthy tissue.

The Dealmaking column is a survey of recent transactions, including strategic alliances, mergers & acquisitions, and financings, in the life sciences industries. Deals are listed by the following industry sectors: in vitro diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and research/analytical instrumentation and reagents. All transactions are excerpted from Elsevier's Strategic Transactions database, providing comprehensive transaction coverage from 1991 to the present.