Two IPOs and 12 venture capital and private equity deals in China raised a combined $1bn in a hectic few weeks of October.

With nearly 3,500 therapies in development globally, and almost $480m in start-up financing in Q1 of 2021 alone, the cell, gene and RNA therapy area is seeing a sharp rise in development and attention. 

Astellas is to close down a small research subsidiary in the US by the end of this year, as it looks to control costs and rationalise its corporate R&D effort.

Regulatory risk and a mature market for some indications have driven Big Pharma players from the gastrointestinal space. That signals possible biotech opportunity. In this issue, we profile Alvine Pharmaceuticals, Genetic Analysis, Meritage Pharma and Ventrus Biosciences.