A long-anticipated pruning back of the ev vivo gene therapy pipeline for sickle cell disease has arrived with Novartis, Graphite Bio and Sangamo each dropping projects, but some challengers are looking ahead to a future of in vivo approaches to the condition.

With the planned $487m acquisition of sensorineural-focused Akouos, Lilly makes its second gene therapy M&A play in two years, on top of partnering/financing activity in the space.

SpringWorks is on course to bring nirogacestat to market by next year – and could play a pivotal role in making BCMA-targeting drugs a success.

During Q2, biopharma merger and acquisition value reached $25.4bn and drew in $27.3bn in potential deal value from alliances. Device company M&A values reached $2.7bn, while in vitro diagnostic firms and research tools players completed M&A activity that totaled $534.3m.