Many gene therapies companies have faced R&D and financial problems this year but the longer term potential of the field and low prices might tempt big pharma into deals.

Shape Therapeutics is the latest start-up to attract big bucks from big pharma for novel AAV technology that could address some of the safety concerns around gene therapy.

Several companies have recently raised large amounts of money from venture capital as well as potentially through partnerships for next-generation capsid technology.

Pieris and Genentech try partnering again after a disappointing IO tie-up before. Biogen’s hectic May includes partnerships with Ginkgo, Envisagenics, Capsigen and an opt-in on TMS’s stroke candidate.