Novel therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s disease have brought a renewed sense of optimism to those researching this neurodegenerative disorder. Numerous treatment avenues are being explored, including small molecules, gene therapy, cell therapy and medical devices to stimulate nerves deep in the brain. Digital also gets a look-in, being useful for analyzing gait and other symptoms, and addressing both mental and physical issues.

While the proposed Bristol/Celgene merger nears an April vote, Celgene continues a recent spate of deal-making, paying $25m up front to Exscientia to discover small molecule candidates for cancer and autoimmune disease.

A couple of years after Ipsen returned the rights to an LRRK2 Parkinson's program, Oncodesign has bagged a new partner in Servier and stands to bank up to €320m if all goes well.

J&J Innovation's spate of deals led a busy week of deal-making involving many big pharmas. Sanofi exited its inhaled insulin partnership with MannKind, Merck collaborated with Quartet and Complix, Roche partnered with and helped finance C4, and Pfizer signed an immuno-oncology combo trial agreement with Syndax.