EuroBiotech: More Articles of Note

> Shares in transatlantic biotech Prothena ($PRTA) jumped after it posted encouraging early clinical data on its Roche ($RHHBY)-partnered Parkinson's disease drug. The antibody exited the Phase I trial with a clean safety profile and a suggestion of efficacy that was tantalizing enough to send shares in the Neil Woodford-backed biotech up 40%. FierceBiotech

Imperial Innovations (AIM:IVO) set up a startup nurturing program, Co.Create. The initiative is designed to offer academics at Imperial College London and beyond support with setting up a business, from assessing whether the concept is viable to growing the operation once it is off the ground. Access to incubation space, funding groups and service providers is part of the offer. Release

Evotec (ETR:EVT) took over Sanofi's ($SNY) R&D site in Toulouse, France, in a €250 million ($270 million) deal. As well as securing the future of the site and setting up an R&D alliance, the deal includes provisions to tap into the French academic ecosystem. Evotec will search for and incubate promising projects, while Sanofi will contribute to a fund to support the work. FierceBiotech

Rigontec GmbH raised €4.8 million ($5.2 million) in a second closing of its Series A round, bringing the total collected to date up to €14.3 million. Forbion Capital Partners--the Dutch VC shop that set up a €92 million fund last year--came on board, giving Rigontec the money to advance its lead RNA-based immunotherapy toward clinical proof-of-concept trials. Release

> Shares in Verona Pharma (AIM:VRP) shot up after the British firm posted interim results from a Phase I/II trial of its chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment. Data from the first 50 people enrolled in the 120-participant study suggest the nebulized formulation of Verona Pharma's PDE3/4 inhibitor persists in the lung for longer than previous versions of the treatment. Release

SteadyMed ($STDY) became the latest Israeli company to fall short of their Nasdaq IPO target. The pulmonary hypertension (PAH) player raised $40 million ($37 million) after pricing its shares at $8.50, well below the $12 to $14 target range. SteadyMed had initially hoped to raise $55 million to fuel its attempt to dislodge the incumbents of the PAH market using its drug delivery device. Globes

Numab picked up an undisclosed upfront fee to let Intarcia Therapeutics in on its long-lasting antibody therapies for diabetes, obesity and autoimmune indications. Wädenswil, Switzerland-based Numab will collaborate with Intarcia on the development of once and twice-yearly treatments, the success of which is tied to milestone payments and tiered single to low double-digit royalties. Release