National Resilience, Parker Institute team to incubate cancer startups. Metropolitan AntiViral Drug Accelerator will focus on eight molecular features of SARS-CoV-2 to create novel oral antivirals.

Biopharma start-ups finally had an increase in financing activity, following three sequential quarters with a decrease. A review of biopharma start-up dealmaking and financing activity from January through March 2018, based on data from Strategic Transactions.

Celularity launched with $250m to develop cell therapies with technology licensed from Celgene and others, while mRNA specialist Moderna brought in another $500m mega round and Generation Bio closed a $100m Series B to fund ongoing gene therapy programs.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’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. This month’s column covers deals announced in January 2018.