> BerGenBio signaled its intent to IPO in Oslo, Norway. The cancer biotech is seeking to raise an as-yet-undisclosed amount to fund the advance of lead candidate BGB324. BerGenBio is developing the small molecule Axl inhibitor as a treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer and triple-negative breast cancer. Statement (sub. req.)
> ObsEva began a phase 3 trial of nolasiban in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology. The Swiss biotech is looking to the trial to show its oral oxytocin receptor antagonist increases live birth rates. A phase 2 trial missed its primary endpoint of increasing the pregnancy rate last year. Release
> Mereo BioPharma’s phase 2b treatment for obese men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism came through an interim review. The independent committee found no reason to stop any of the three doses of the drug, one of three Mereo acquired from Novartis. Mereo expects to have data from the trial in the second half of the year. Statement
> Staten Biotech exercised its option to license anti-ApoC3 antibody ARGX-116 from argenx. The asset emerged from a 2015 collaboration that combined Staten’s knowledge of dyslipidemia with argenx’s antibody platform. Staten will now handle development of ARGX-116 and pay argenx double-digit royalties if the asset makes it to market. Release
> Vernalis entered into a new drug discovery collaboration with Servier. The two-year project is focused on an undisclosed oncology target. Servier, which will pay up to €2 million ($2.1 million) to access Vernalis’ fragment- and structure-based drug discovery platform, has worked with its partner on other projects since 2007. Statement
> Merck KGaA posted phase 1b data on its Ablynx-partnered psoriasis candidate. All patients who received the highest dose of the bispecific antibody achieved 90% skin clearance. No patients in the placebo group saw their skin improve to that extent. The asset emerged from the deal Merck and Ablynx signed in 2008. Release