AstraZeneca has signed an exclusive license agreement with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group for a preclinical small molecule called YS2302018. The molecule, an oral Lp(a) disruptor, will be developed as a lipid-lowering therapy alone or in combination with AstraZeneca’s oral PCSK9 inhibitor, AZD0780, as the company targets dyslipidaemia - a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and stroke.

Biotech startup Judo Bio has secured $100 mn in funding to pioneer oligonucleotide medicines delivered to the kidney using a novel approach to create medicines. Preclinical studies successfully demonstrated the receptor-mediated delivery of oligonucleotides with proprietary ligand-siRNA conjugates that silence multiple target genes. The financing will be used to advance the lead ligand-siRNA conjugate to the clinic and to further build the company’s proprietary STRIKE (Selectively Targeting RNA Into KidnEy) platform. Rajiv Patni, a seasoned pharmaceutical leader including roles at Pfizer, Roche, and Actelion, has been appointed as CEO to steer the company's growth.

South Korean vaccine developer, SK bioscience, has completed the acquisition of German CDMO IDT Biologika as the company looks to double its sales by 2028 by investing in high-growth businesses that include late-stage cell and gene therapy (CGT) and recombinant vaccines.

As part of the ambition, the company is expected to launch next-generation pneumococcal vaccines, maximize the utilization rate of IDT Biologika’s drug substance and drug product manufacturing facilities, and add additional cell line manufacturing and recombinant vaccine development technologies to pursue new CDMO contracts for mid- to large-scale products.

Sanner Group has acquired Gilero LLC to strengthen its global medical device offerings. This acquisition enhances Sanner’s capabilities across drug delivery, diagnostics, and medtech device sectors, expanding its footprint in the US, Mexico, and Ireland. Gilero’s expertise in design, development, and contract manufacturing complements Sanner’s strategic growth plan to become a leading provider of end-to-end solutions in the medical technology field.

Nanoform and Celanese have expanded their collaboration to develop long-acting biologic drug delivery using small implants. This partnership combines Nanoform’s nanoparticle technology with the Celanese VitalDose® drug delivery platform to create controlled-release implants for biologics, and includes work on a new treatment for Multiple Sclerosis. The collaboration aims to improve patient adherence and outcomes through high-drug loading and customized release.

Pace Life Sciences has acquired Catalent’s small molecule analytical laboratories in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Pace said that the acquisition strengthens its ability to provide comprehensive analytical services for early-stage drug development through to commercialization, expands its U.S. network, and enhances its ability to support clients with faster and more reliable solutions.

Just prior to the show, Adare Pharma Solutions announced a partnership with Laxxon Medical to introduce cGMP 3D printing capabilities at Adare’s Pessano facility in Milan. Using technology licensed from Exentis Group, the collaboration will produce advanced 3D-printed oral dosage forms that offer customizable drug release profiles and enhanced bioavailability. Adare will add the capability to its Vandalia, Ohio, site by the end of 2024.

Adare, the global technology-driven oral dose CDMO, will mark CPHI with the announcement that it has partnered with Laxxon Medical to provide GMP 3D oral dose printing from Adare’s Pessano facility in Milan.

Serán BioScience, the development-stage CDMO based in Bend, Oregon, has secured a $200 mn investment from Bain Capital to support the building of its first large-scale commercial manufacturing facility. The new site will enhance Serán’s capabilities in drug development and production to support a growing pipeline of pharmaceutical innovations.

The U.S. company’s initial public offering (IPO) on the Nasdaq index raised $362 mn, which the company says it will use to support pivotal Phase 2/3 trials for its lead asset - ficerafusp alfa - targeting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The listing follows a broader uptick in biotech IPO activity, with Zenas BioPharma and MBX Biosciences also going public, marking one of the busiest biotech IPO weeks in 2024. 

Global electronics company Molex, through its subsidiary Phillips Medisize, has entered into an agreement to acquire Vectura Group Limited from Philip Morris International. Vectura, based in the UK, specializes in inhalation drug delivery, including device and formulation development for dry powder inhalers, metered dose inhalers, and nebulizer products.

Agilent Technologies has completed its acquisition of BIOVECTRA, a Canadian CDMO specializing in biologics, highly potent pharmaceuticals, and targeted therapeutics. Now part of Agilent's Diagnostics and Genomics Group, the acquisition will enhance Agilent's portfolio with advanced manufacturing capabilities for gene editing and biologics production.

Sanner Group, the healthcare packaging and medical device CDMO, has announced it has acquired Gilero, a medical device designer, developer, and contract manufacturer headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. The acquisition helps position Sanner as a leading provider of end-to-end services across drug delivery, diagnostics, and MedTech device sectors. Gilero brings with it 130 engineers based across facilities in the U.S., Mexico, and Ireland.

Biotech firm eGenesis has raised $191 mn to advance its genetically modified pig kidney transplant program, utilizing its gene-editing technology that makes pig organs more compatible with human immune systems. The raised funds will be used to support clinical trials for the company's lead candidate - EGEN-2784 - a pig kidney engineered to be human-compatible after successful, though short-lived, human transplant earlier in 2024.

Eli Lilly has entered a major collaboration with Swiss biotech Haya Therapeutics to develop innovative drugs targeting metabolic conditions like obesity. The partnership, which could be as valuable as $1 bn, focuses on exploring the "dark genome" — the 98% of human DNA that does not code for proteins but plays critical regulatory roles.

In a deal worth up to $409 mn, Eli Lilly has partnered with Genetic Leap to accelerate RNA-targeted drug discovery using AI. The collaboration will focus on developing oligonucleotide therapies for key diseases; enhancing Lilly’s growing expertise in RNA-based treatments.

Superluminal Medicines has closed a $120 mn Series-A funding round to accelerate its drug discovery efforts focused on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) targets, a key class of membrane proteins involved in many diseases. The company employs a combination of generative biology, chemistry, and machine learning to rapidly develop candidate-ready compounds, focusing on membrane receptors that are often challenging to target.

CoreRx, Societal CDMO, and Bend Bioscience have announced a merger under the Bend Bioscience brand to create, they say, a unified, world-class CDMO combining the expertise and capabilities of the three companies to enhance their service offerings in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.

Global API CDMO, ST Pharm, and mRNA bioprocessing provider, Quantoom Biosciences, have announced a supply agreement for an extended collaboration on Quantoom's proprietary SmartCap technology.

Bora Pharmaceuticals has successfully completed the acquisition of a sterile fill-finish manufacturing facility in Baltimore-Camden, Maryland, from Emergent BioSolutions. The acquisition allows Bora to expand its manufacturing capabilities in the U.S., particularly in the production of sterile injectables, and complements its existing drug substance capabilities.