News of Note—New CRISPR R&D head; Homology raises $83.5M; Cellectar collaboration

> After jumping ship from a troubled AstraZeneca, its former head of oncology, Tony Ho, M.D., has climbed aboard preclinical gene editing biotech CRISPR Therapeutics. He becomes EVP and head of R&D at the company and will oversee its global research efforts across all therapeutic areas. Release

> Homology Medicines has got off an impressive $83.5 million series B financing round for work on its in vivo gene editing tech in rare genetic diseases. It had help from a host of VCs, including Deerfield Management, Maverick Ventures, Novartis, 5AM Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, and many more. Statement

> Cancer biotech Cellectar Biosciences has penned a new collaboration with Swiss biopharma Avicenna Oncology. The pair will work together on new phospholipid drug conjugates, combining Cellectar’s phospholipid ether delivery platform with Avicenna’s cytotoxic payloads. Release