ConserV CEO tells Scrip why the late-stage vaccine developer has entered an mRNA development pact with eTheRNA of Belgium and about the UK biotech’s hopes for finding a universal jab against the entire coronavirus family.

Plus deals involving LegoChem/Pyxix, Biohaven/Sosei Heptares, Kyowa Kirin/Helsinn, Dr. Reddy’s/Glenmark, Eisai/Wren, KoBioLabs/Kolmar Korea, Y-Biologics/Pierre Fabre, Generex/Chinese consortium.

With 46 initial public offerings in the US by drug developers so far – including recent launches by Kymera, Inhibrx and Harmony – 2020 will easily beat last year’s 50 IPOs. In follow-on offerings and VC deals, newly public Schrodinger raised $346.5m and Tango’s $50m equity financing.

Private Company Edition: The allogeneic cell therapy developer founded by former Juno execs launched in January 2019 without disclosing its initial funding. Other recent venture capital mega-rounds include $192m for Orca, $170m for C4, $118m for Shattuck and $102m for GreenLight.