EuroBiotech Report—Bayer's phase 3 success, U.K. trial investment, EU fund, MorphoSys and Tissium

Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly EuroBiotech Report. We start this week with Bayer, which presented top-line results from a phase 3 trial of Merck-partnered heart failure drug vericiguat. The trial hit its primary endpoint, validating the partners' decision to move into phase 3 on the strength of mixed data. Elsewhere, the U.K. pharma trade body called for more investment in clinical research. GHO Capital raised a €975 million healthcare investment fund. MorphoSys parted company with its chief scientific officer. Tissium raised €39 million. And more. — Nick Taylor
 
1. Bayer, Merck's vericiguat hits endpoint in heart failure phase 3

A phase 3 trial of Bayer and Merck’s vericiguat in heart failure patients has met its primary endpoint. The top-line readout appears to justify the risk the partners took when they moved the stimulator of the soluble guanylate cyclase enzyme into phase 3 despite missing the mark in an earlier trial.

 
2. ABPI calls for increased investment in U.K. clinical research

The U.K. pharma industry has called for increased investment in clinical research in response to rising global competition for trials. Data collected by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry show the U.K. is currently a leading European location for clinical trials, but that position could be threatened by Brexit and other factors.
 
3. GHO raises €975M European healthcare fund

GHO Capital has raised €975 million ($1.1 billion) to invest in European healthcare companies. The fund will back pharma companies as well as developers of medtech products and providers of outsourced services.
 
4. Pivoting from clinical to commercial, MorphoSys loses chief scientist

After the loss of its longtime CEO at the start of the year, a morphing MorphoSys is now losing its chief scientific officer just as it gears up for its first commercial launch.
 
5. Tissium raises €39M to advance tech with drug delivery uses

Tissium has raised €38.8 million ($42.9 million) to fund work on synthetic programmable polymers with applications in drug delivery and other areas. The money will fund work to develop polymers in multiple indications and an associated U.S. expansion.
 
And more articles of note>>