Agenus’ recent submission of balstilimab joins novel checkpoint inhibitors from Incyte expecting FDA action this year; Junshi and Coherus’ ongoing rolling BLA for toripalimab is the first from the multiple PD-1/L1 inhibitor candidates developed in China that are vying to enter the US market.

Plus deals involving Takeda/OrigiMed, Amcure/Hinova, AUM/Newsoara, Taiho/Lung Therapeutics, 3D Medicines/Aravive, HitGen/Baiyunshan, Dong-A/Jiangsu Hengrui, and Crescita/Juyou.

Disappointment for the San Diego, CA-based firm as Phase III study of its lead product is deemed futile and it ends clinical research of the product in cancer.

Hua, already considering an IPO in Hong Kong for up to $400m, closed concurrent VC rounds that will fund its late-stage diabetes program in China, but it may still need to go public to enter other markets. Also, Heron raised cash for its next commercial product, among other public company financings.