In this week's podcast edition of Five Must-Know Things: GSK’s R&D head departs; Bayer’s pharma R&D chief prioritizes assets; new US launches in atopic dermatitis; is Abivax an M&A target; and China’s gene therapy developers rush to the clinic.

Now that AbiVax's novel anti-inflammatory ABX464 has demonstrated solid safety and efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis, the French biotech is exploring additional programs in chronic inflammatory indications – and looking for a partner.

Q2 promises to be ‘transformational’ for AbiVax, propelled by key readouts for investigational anti-inflammatory, ABX464, and cancer agent, ABX196, but more funds will be needed by year end.

Roche’s etrolizumab missed primary endpoints in its Phase III study program evaluating it as maintenance therapy in moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, a new therapeutic area for the firm.