HiFiBiO raises series D funds to advance immuno-oncology candidates

HiFiBiO Therapeutics has raised $75m in a Series D funding round, led by Mirae Asset Financial Group, to expedite its pipeline with two immuno-oncology programmes. The financing round was joined by other new investors B Capital Group, Sherpa, Maison Capital, Trinity Innovation Fund, Grand Mount and HKSTP Venture Fund.

Indivior and Aelis enter $130m deal for cannabis addiction therapy

Indivior has entered a strategic partnership and an exclusive option and licence agreement with France-based Aelis Farma for worldwide rights to the latter’s lead compound, AEF0117. AEF0117 is a synthetic signaling specific inhibitor designed to hinder the cannabinoid type 1 receptor. It could become the first therapy for cannabis-related disorders, the company noted.

Dermavant raises $200m to support tapinarof launch

Dermavant Sciences has signed a $160m revenue interest purchase and sale agreement for tapinarof with Marathon Asset Management, NovaQuest Capital Management and a third unnamed institutional investor in the US. A Roivant Sciences subsidiary, Dermavant focuses on developing and marketing treatments in immuno-dermatology areas with unmet medical needs.

Merck completes spinoff of women’s health company Organon

Merck has completed the spinoff of Organon to boost its focus on growth areas, realise higher revenue and earnings per share growth rates. Merck obtained a distribution of nearly $9bn from Organon as part of the spinoff. As a separate company, Organon will now focus on enhancing women’s health and currently has a portfolio of approximately 60 treatments and products.

MorphoSys to acquire Constellation Pharmaceuticals for $1.7bn

MorphoSys has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Constellation Pharmaceuticals for a total equity value of $1.7bn or $34 per share, in cash. Constellation’s lead product candidates, pelabresib (CPI-0610), a BET inhibitor, and CPI-0209, an EZH2 inhibitor, are currently in mid to late-stage clinical trials.

Nordic Capital acquires Advanz Pharma for $846m 

Nordic Capital subsidiary Cidron Aida Bidco has acquired all issued and to-be-issued limited voting share capital of UK-based speciality pharmaceutical company, Advanz Pharma, for a total value of nearly $846m. According to the deal, each Advanz Pharma shareholder will get $17.26 in cash per share of the company.