The mid-stage success is encouraging, but taking on Takeda won’t be easy.

Shionogi licenses US commercial rights for OIC drug to BioDelivery and rights in three EU markets to Sandoz. Tessa will test its T-cell therapy with Merck’s Keytruda in cervical cancer.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Dealmaking column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment – In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced in February 2017.

Otsuka's purchase of Neurovance is part of a larger strategy to replace revenues lost to patent expiration of Abilify. Meanwhile, its Japanese counterpart Takeda is overhauling its R&D engine with help from contract manufacturer Bushu.