The US biotechs are joining forces to form a new, listed company with sufficient cash to advance EIP’s potentially disease-modifying drug candidate through Phase II development in dementia with Lewy bodies, which presents a high unmet need.

Recent executive changes in the industry include C-suite changes at Exicure and Applied Molecular Transport. Meanwhile, new directors were appointed at Immunotech Biopharm and Alimera Sciences.

Emerging Company Profile: Backed by $20m in seed funding, the UK firm is going against the grain by antagonizing, instead of agonizing, G protein-coupled receptor 35 with an eye to treating colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal conditions.

The German firm is anticipating a major label expansion in kidney disease for its SGL2 inhibitor later this year, prompting Boehringer to gear up commercial activities as AstraZeneca’s rival Farxiga faces the threat of generic competition.

The US firm’s lead program has flunked a mid-stage trial in early Parkinson’s disease and, despite a promising efficacy signal in a younger patient cohort, its future remains uncertain.

The Swiss major’s CDK4/6 inhibitor has met the primary endpoint in a pivotal breast cancer trial earlier than expected, with success in the intermediate risk group representing a $4bn opportunity untapped by rival Eli Lilly.