Deals Of The Week Ponders Project Financing
Executive Summary
GSK has been out ahead of other big pharmas when it comes to investing in venture funds. Its deal with Avalon Ventures adds a new twist – investing as a partner rather than an LP and creating single-asset companies. Plus other notable deals involving Merck, AstraZeneca, Opko Health and more . . .
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GSK Will Be A Limited Partner In Sanderling Ventures’ New Fund
The pharma pledges $50 million to the California firm’s new seventh round, which it anticipates closing more than eight years after its sixth. For GSK, it’s the latest tie-up with a VC firm as part of a regional investment strategy.
Backing New Index Fund, GSK, J&J Buy Into Asset-Centric Vision Of Biotech Future
Index Life VI is the first life-sciences-only fund for Index; GSK’s Moncef Slaoui and J&J’s Paul Stoffels are on scientific advisory board.
Xalkori And The Art Of Modern Drug Development
Pfizer developed crizotinib and its companion diagnostic in just four years after identifying an aberrant ALK gene as the target, spanning a corporate restructuring, the Wyeth integration, and the departure of senior staff in the R&D organization and oncology BU. The next year or so will tell whether Xalkori was a flash in the pan, or whether it marks the long awaited turnaround for Pfizer’s oncology business and a model for nimble drug development.