CMS final rule for hospital payment in 2021 includes enhanced payment for six novel antibiotics – including one that is not yet approved by FDA. New policies to encourage antibiotic innovation are clearly having an impact in the context of Medicare payments.

After buying BlueRock Therapeutics outright last year, the Leverkusen-headquartered group has put down $2bn up front to acquire another cell and gene therapy specialist in Asklepios BioPharmaceutical.

Curon thinks tenalisib can offer a differentiated and safe new therapy for hematologic cancers such as multiple forms of lymphoma. Axis and PharmaEssentia team up on TCR therapy R&D in Taiwan.

Recent moves show Chinese biotech firms are increasingly looking to go global by recruiting world-class development talent, and J&J names new APAC pharma head.