As agency observers wonder whether and how political considerations will impact the timing of a COVID-19 vaccine approval or authorization, the Pink Sheet looks at instances through the years where agency staffers found themselves operating under precedents with which they disagreed or that didn’t work out as expected.

The company isn't relaying any details about its drug targets, but will use the mega-round to take its first candidates into the clinic. Also, RiverVest raises a $184.4m VC fund, Annexon closes a $75m Series C, Takeda lists its stock in the US, and Aptorum goes public.

China-focused Brii Biosciences, formed earlier this year, unveils plans to take its first projects into the clinic by way of deals with VBI and Vir for hepatitis B, and builds other alliances and operations in the country.

Pascal and Oblato separately license therapeutic candidates for glioblastoma multiforme, while Cabaletta emerges from UPenn with novel program for CAAR-T therapies in B-cell mediated autoimmune disease.