Deal Snapshot: VectivBio is expanding its existing focus on rare diseases into inherited metabolic disorders, which affect about one in 800 live births and cause significant mortality in infants and young people.

The privately held company expects five US FDA approvals by 2026 and will focus on big-ticket targets like immune checkpoints and cell therapies, CEO David K. Lee told Scrip.

The preclinical start-up is identifying allosteric binders that can inhibit or activate metabolic proteins. Atavistik will focus on genetically defined diseases then test its candidates in broader populations.

The European Medicines Agency has added nine new products to its latest list of medicines that are under review for potential EU marketing authorization.