Restructuring Updates: Homology implemented modest job cuts as it ended a gene therapy trial, while ProQR revealed its second round of layoffs this year and Synthetic Biologics shifted focus to oncolytic virus pipeline. Also, Bolt, MacroGenics and others deprioritized programs in their Q2 updates.

The major will use funds from the sale of its male hypogonadism product to invest in future innovation, which is likely to focus on high-risk high-reward cell and gene drug candidates.

Investors and most analysts were not impressed with a much-anticipated Phase II update on Atara’s allogeneic T-cell immunotherapy which could be transformational as a treatment for multiple sclerosis, but some observers believe the slump in the firm’s stock was not merited.

Private Company Edition: Biomedtracker found that 53% of financings during the first quarter were venture capital deals versus 32% in Q1 of last year. Also, Qiming closed a $260m fund, Transition Bio raised a $50m series A round, ProfoundBio completed a $70m series A+ and MycoMedica raised $60m.