Two bioventures in China have jettisoned immuno-oncology assets, including PD-1/L1- and CD47-targeting agents, while four other firms have disclosed shifts in R&D priorities and employee lay-offs as they deal with challenging conditions.

The US- and China-based biotech is expanding three oncology-centered clinical studies of two TGF-1/COX-2-targeted siRNA drug candidates from the US into China.

Public Company Edition: Mergers with special purpose acquisition corporations also continue to take companies public, with three new SPAC offerings in late 2021. Also, Xeris raised $30m in a private placement of stock to support its recently approved drug and Sirnaomics went public in Hong Kong.

Private Company Edition: Sirnaomics planned to go public after its series D, but its new venture capital does not prevent it from doing so in the near term. Also, Vida Ventures and Novalis Biotech raised new VC funds to back start-ups and ArriVent launched with up to $150m in series A cash.