EuroBiotech Report—BioNTech raises $325M, Osivax bags €8M, Sanofi and GSK

Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly EuroBiotech Report. We start this week with a big round for BioNTech, which pulled in $325 million (€289 million) to advance its immuno-oncology pipeline. Osivax raised a smaller round, pocketing €8 million to take a universal flu vaccine candidate through early-phase development. Elsewhere, the FDA accepted a filing for approval of Sanofi's Darzalex rival. GlaxoSmithKline hired Kim Branson from Genentech to oversee its efforts to use AI to find drug targets. And more. — Nick Taylor
 
1. BioNTech raises $325M series B round to advance cancer pipeline

BioNTech has raised €289 million ($325 million) in a private fundraising round. The series B positions the immuno-oncology player to advance its multidrug clinical pipeline and grow its manufacturing footprint. 

 
2. Osivax raises €8M for universal flu vaccine clinical trials

Osivax has raised €8 million ($9 million) to take a universal flu vaccine candidate through early-phase development. The series A round comes as Osivax nears the delivery of phase 1 data on a candidate that achieved widespread protection in mice and ferrets.
 
3. FDA accepts BLA filing for Sanofi's rival to J&J's Darzalex

The FDA has accepted Sanofi’s filing for approval of its Darzalex rival in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Sanofi will learn whether the FDA will approve anti-CD38 antibody isatuximab by the end of April 2020. 
 
4. GSK hires Branson from Genentech to boost AI team

GlaxoSmithKline has bolstered its artificial intelligence team by hiring Kim Branson from Genentech. The appointment gives Branson oversight of GSK’s efforts to use AI to find novel drug targets.
 
And more articles of note>>