Many industry leaders expect broad progress in the field of RNA technologies following the rapid and successful roll-out of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 last year. Genetic medicines of various types, emerging platforms for tackling previously “undruggable” targets and the microbiome were among other areas singled out as areas to watch in 2022.

Public Company Edition: Merging with a special purpose acquisition corporation may be an attractive alternative to an initial public offering, but February’s vigorous IPO pace includes seven recent offerings that raised $480.8m in the US. Also, Cassava raised $200m and KalVista brought in $222.5m.

Merck will spinout its mature franchises, including women's health products, into a new company that will have about $6bn-$6.5bn in 2021 revenues and be poised for modest growth.

Scrip looks at some the key clinical and regulatory pharma events that will spark attention during the next three months, according to Biomedtracker's latest quarterly outlook report.