The year began with an unusually low number of CRLs, but a recent burst of non-approval actions suggests a COVID-19 effect.

Private Company Edition: Several drug developers targeting neurological diseases raised venture capital recently. In addition to Nura Bio, Encoded Therapeutics revealed a $135m series D round. Also, Longwood closed a $170m fund and Flagship launched Omega Therapeutics with $85m.

Weeks after lifting of an FDA clinical hold, CymaBay says it will resume development of its PPAR agonist in primary biliary cholangitis. It will initiate a new Phase III trial but also use data from a terminated Phase III study.

A fuller look at interim Phase III data shows no path forward to accelerated approval in NASH, company says. Genfit turns focus to developing elafibranor for PBC, as well as a NASH diagnostic.