A long-anticipated pruning back of the ev vivo gene therapy pipeline for sickle cell disease has arrived with Novartis, Graphite Bio and Sangamo each dropping projects, but some challengers are looking ahead to a future of in vivo approaches to the condition.

Shoreline picks up technology platform rights and access from Editas, which recently reduced staff. Hyloris out-licenses commercial rights to Maxigesic in nine EU markets to Salus.

Investors, advisors and CEOs at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and Biotech Showcase were somewhat optimistic about fundraising this year, but noted certain companies may have to call it quits.

Timing big M&A transactions to coincide with the biggest investor conference of the year is difficult. But getting it right can boost stocks across the sector.