Phase III data for the novel echinocandin demonstrated non-inferiority to caspofungin for all-cause mortality at day 30 and for global cure at day 14. Regulatory filings are planned for 2022.

Also, two more health care-focused SPACs went public, Centessa obtained up to $300m in debt, three new venture capital funds launched and Intergalactic debuted with a $75m series A round.

Biotech says rezafungin should best existing echinocandin agents in treatment of Candida pathogen infections, while also offering needed prophylaxis improvements for leukemia and lymphoma patients.

Cidara partners its antiviral conjugate platform for seasonal and pandemic influenza with Janssen, which also gets option rights to an AVC candidate for respiratory syncytial virus.