Deals involving Hoth/Voltron, Vir/Xencor, Akers/Premas, WPD/CNS address coronavirus outbreak. Separately, Roche and Forge hope to develop a novel antibiotic for Gram-negative infections using the LpxC enzyme.

In an exclusive interview, Barbara Lueckel, global head of research technologies at Roche Pharma Partnering, talks about the rationale behind the 2020 deals with Bicycle Therapeutics and Nimble Therapeutics. She gives insight into how deal makers are shifting gears to make deals happen in the challenging environment of the global coronavirus pandemic.

Genentech pays $30m up front in a collaboration with Bicycle in a deal that could bring the UK biotech roughly $1.7bn in total. Also, deals involving Nimble, Seattle Genetics, Five Prime, Fresenius, Vifor, Yuhan, Imnewrun, Paratek, Almirall, MBD, AzothBio, Norgine, Faes, Aspen Pharmacare, Swixx.

Co-developers gain nod for novel antibody-drug conjugate that provides new option for patients with advanced form of bladder cancer.