The average return for companies that went public in the US through the end of September was 49.4% as of 5 October. The fourth quarter started with four additional initial public offerings on 1 October.

However, Vaccinex sees possible efficacy for SEMA4D inhibition in later-stage Huntington’s as well as Alzheimer’s disease. Pepinemab is also being studied with Keytruda in head-and-neck cancer.

Bluebird bio’s gene therapy Zynteglo, Akcea’s antisense drug Waylivra and BioMarin’s enzyme substitution therapy Palynziq were among the novel innovative medicines that were approved in Europe in 2019. 

Seven new drug applications got the thumbs up this week from the EMA's drug evaluation committee, the CHMP.  Their EU approval should now be a formality. Two new Shionogi treatments are set for approval, as are two orphan products – one from Medac, the other from AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals. Pfizer got the OK for one biosimilar but has withdrawn an application for another.