Novartis aims to build a leading role in multiple sclerosis by developing new agents now in Phase III, progressing promising early stage assets and by using new technologies to measure the disease.

The newly relocated biotech is shifting its focus from science to business development as it moves its third compound into the clinic and begins looking for partners for its other programs.

A series of recent and anticipated events is drawing attention to interleukin-17 and related cytokines – a set of immunological drug targets of long-standing interest to large and small companies. The current crop of big-company candidates are biologics and may prove too harsh for all but the most severe immunological conditions, leaving room for start-ups developing small molecules.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Elsevier Business Intelligence’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Dealmaking column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment – In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing.