> Anglo-Italian drugmaker Creabilis accepted a buyout by Sienna Biopharmaceuticals. Creabilis is developing treatments for inflammatory skin conditions, the most advanced of which is a phase 2b treatment of pruritus and psoriasis. Sienna is paying an undisclosed amount upfront in cash and stock, as well as committing to milestones that could increase the value of the deal to $150 million (€139 million), to acquire the assets. Release
> PDC*line Pharma raised €4 million ($4.3 million) to take its cancer immunotherapy toward clinical proof of concept. The spinout from French Blood Bank is focused on loading a universal line of plasmacytoid dendritic cells with tumor target antigens. PDC*line is testing its lead candidate in a small melanoma trial that is due to deliver data in the second quarter of next year. Release
> Shares in Genfit rose after Bloomberg reported it is considering selling up. The NASH hopeful is reportedly in early talks with potential buyers. Sanofi, Shire and Novartis are listed as possible suitors. Genfit is also considering entering into a partnership rather than pursuing a sale. Bloomberg
> Pfizer Ventures and TVM Life Science Ventures invested $12 million (€11 million) in Ixchelsis. The biotech will use the cash to fund a phase 2b premature ejaculation trial of IX-01, an oxytocin receptor antagonist Pfizer discovered at its site in Sandwich, United Kingdom. Ixchelsis picked up the asset from Pfizer as the Big Pharma retreated from Sandwich. Release
> Wilson Therapeutics’ WTX101 met the primary endpoint in a phase 2 trial. The study gave WTX101 to 28 patients newly diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Wilson disease. Mean serum free copper fell 77% over 24 weeks of treatment, resulting in the trial meeting its primary endpoint and giving Wilson the confidence to start preparing to enter phase 3 next year. Release
> NeuroDerm rejigged its late-phase strategy following a meeting with FDA. The Israeli biotech will now run comparative pharmacokinetic studies on its Parkinson's disease candidate ND0612, rather than the two phase 3 trials it previously planned to carry out. NeuroDerm shares rose 26% on the back of the news. Release