> ProQR Therapeutics named David Rodman, M.D., as its chief development strategy officer. Rodman has previously worked as head of translational medicine at Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, head of respiratory drug development at Vertex and CMO at MiRagen and Nivalis. Release
> Numab Therapeutics struck an immuno-oncology deal with Ono Pharmaceutical. The Swiss biotech will receive up to CHF 258 million ($259 million) in upfront and milestone fees from Ono. In return, Ono gains an option to acquire a multi-specific antibody candidate expected to arise from the alliance. Statement
> BerGenBio set the terms of its IPO. The cancer biotech is looking to raise NOK 400 million ($47 million) by selling shares at NOK 25 ($2.93) apiece. BerGenBio’s largest shareholder, Meteva, is set to buy up NOK 50 million ($5.85 million) of the stock. The cash will enable BerGenBio to run four phase 2 trials of its lead candidate, the Axl inhibitor BGB324. Release
> Nosopharm raised €2.4 million ($2.6 million) to develop antimicrobial molecules. The cash will support preclinical development of NOSO-95179, an antibiotic candidate against Enterobacteriaceae. Nosopharm expects to be ready to move into the clinic in 2018. Statement
> Biopharma Credit raised $762 million (€709 million) in an IPO on the London Stock Exchange. The provider of debt financing to life science companies initially aimed to raise $300 million (€279.5 million). Pharmakon Advisors, which was co-founded by Royalty Pharma CEO Pablo Legorreta, is managing the investment company. Statement
> Avillion struck a codevelopment agreement with Merck KGaA. The deal puts Avillion in charge of taking Merck’s anti-IL-17A/F bispecific antibody through phase 2 and 3. Merck gained the asset as part of its agreement with Ablynx and took it through a phase 1b psoriasis trial. But has now decided to enlist Abingworth-backed Avillion to support further development. Avillion will cover the cost of taking the drug to regulatory submission. Release