Deal snapshot: Akari, which has stayed afloat through small financings in recent years, and Peak Bio, after going public via the SPAC route in 2022, will merge as equals and then prioritize their pipeline.

Elsewhere at the European Respiratory Society meeting, Bristol Myers Squibb will hope that its LPA1 antagonist can add a hit in progressive pulmonary fibrosis to the success it has already posted in the idiopathic form of the disease. 

All-stock merger will create new company owned 75% by Adaptimmune’s shareholders. Grifols, Selagine to explore antibody approach to treating dry eye disease, and other recent deals.

With a 22 June US FDA action date for obeticholic acid in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, Intercept is thinking ahead to launch plans. Madrigal said it plans a Q2 filing for its NASH drug and hopes to find an ex-US commercial partner.