> Cellectis ($CLLS) posted data on the first person to be treated with its off-the-shelf CAR-T therapy. University College London gave the therapy, UCART19, to an infant with leukemia whose disease progressed despite treatment with other drugs. UCART19 induced molecular remission, although the short follow-up period means the duration of response is unclear. Shares in Cellectis traded up more than 12% following the release of the report. Abstract
> BioNTech handed Sanofi ($SNY) the rights to 5 discovery-stage immunotherapies in return for $60 million (€55 million) upfront. The deal, the value of which could swell to $1.5 billion if each drug hits its milestones, is another boost for Germany's BioNTech and its messenger RNA platform. News of the Sanofi hookup comes months after BioNTech inked back-to-back deals with Eli Lilly ($LLY) and Genmab (CPH:GEN). FierceBiotech
> ElsaLys Biotech pulled down the first tranche of the €5 million ($5.5 million) committed by Sofimac Partners and other investors. The French biotech will use the cash to move three antibody programs toward the clinic. A toxicology study for an anti-CD160 program in ophthalmology indications is on the cards, as is the advance of an anti-TYR03 oncology asset to preclinical proof of concept. The company set up shop in 2013 with the support of Sofimac and fellow French biotech Transgene. Release
> A consortium led by TiGenix (EBR:TIG) secured €5.4 million to run a Phase Ib/IIa trial of Cx611 in patients with severe sepsis secondary to severe community-acquired pneumonia. The receipt of the European Commission grant sets TiGenix up to run a 180-person trial of its allogeneic expanded adipose-derived stem cell treatment. Release
> CureVac raised another $110 million (€100 million). Baillie Gifford led the round, which attracted cash from existing investors the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and German billionaire Dietmar Hopp, plus a clutch of new financiers. CureVac will use the money to advance its clinical-stage development plans, including a Phase IIb cancer vaccine program. FierceBiotech
> Canbex Therapeutics started the Phase II spasticity trial that will decide whether it is bought by Ipsen (EPA:IPN). The 142-person placebo-controlled trial will assess the effect of VSN16R on patients with spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis. Ipsen saw enough potential in the treatment to pay €6 million ($6.5 million) in February for an option to acquire Canbex. If the Phase II data, which are due for publication next year, impress Ipsen it can buy the company for up to €90 million. Release
> A1M Pharma entered into a collaboration with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The hookup will see Lund, Sweden-based A1M work with Fred Hutch to learn more about the endogenous protein that gave the biotech its name, A1M. By investigating the molecular and tissue-specific mechanisms of action for A1M, the Swedish biotech hopes to gain insights about dosing. A1M is developing drugs against pre-eclampsia and other kidney injuries. Release