Athenex expands its portfolio of T-cell receptor therapy technology under NCI license agreement; PDS Biotechnology accesses institute’s TARP tumor antigen technology.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals has reported promising initial data from its first Phase III study of its electrical current-driven DNA plasmid-based immunotherapy, VGX-3100, in virus-associated cervical dysplasia; it is heading a small group of companies evaluating novel therapies in the condition, which often advances to cancer.

Merck pays undisclosed upfront fees and promises up to $500m for milestones under licensing and collaboration agreement. Meanwhile, Tetraphase and Xerava are being acquired by La Jolla, after previous bids by Melinta and AcelRx.

Immunotherapy firms Edge and PDS announce planned merger, while Telix advances its prostate cancer strategy by acquiring ANMI. Kyowa Hakko Kirin is signed up to distribute GlaxoSmithKline's Phase III CKD-associated anemia product daprodustat in Japan.