Takeda continues to expand its interests in the gastrointestinal area through a joint research and development agreement with a small US venture for novel nanoparticle immune modulating therapies for celiac disease.

START-UP's monthly comprehensive review of emerging life science companies that have received venture funding during the month, including companies in in vitro diagnostics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and research/analytical equipment & supplies.

Recent executive-level hires and director appointments at venture capital firms and biopharma and medtech start-ups.

Laureate Pharma has signed a contract manufacturing agreement for Tolera Therapeutics' TOL101 monoclonal antibody under cGMP conditions to be used in clinical trials. TOL101 has demonstrated safety and efficacy in Phase I and II trails for treating episodes of rejection or as a means of preventing rejection in kidney and other solid organ transplants. Laureate, a biopharmaceutical development and protein production company, and Tolera, a biotechnology company, are both based in the US.