Biotech BD & Licensing Events

PTC Therapeutics, Inc. has entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire ST-920, a one-time administered AAV gene therapy product candidate for Fabry disease, from Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. for an upfront payment of $111 million. The agreement also includes up to $100 million in contingent milestone payments tied to accelerated and full FDA approval of a BLA for ST-920 based on Sangamo's Phase 1/2 STAAR study. This acquisition follows PTC being selected as the winning bidder in Sangamo's bankruptcy auction.

Gossamer Bio, Inc. secured a private placement agreement to raise up to $250 million, with an initial $25.0 million closing. Additional funds of $125.0 million are contingent on FDA acceptance of the NDA for seralutinib in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by 2026, and a further $100.0 million from warrants upon FDA approval. Proceeds will support the clinical development and potential commercialization of seralutinib for PAH and PH-ILD.

Genprex, Inc. announced a strategic development and manufacturing agreement with a leading U.S. based CDMO to scale up production of its diabetes gene therapy program. This collaboration will transition the AAV-based therapeutic candidate, designed for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, from research-grade to cGMP-compliant clinical and commercial-ready output. The CDMO will supply drug product for IND-enabling preclinical studies and future clinical trials.

Quoin Pharmaceuticals Ltd. entered into a private placement agreement with institutional and accredited investors to raise gross proceeds of up to $50.0 million. The company expects to receive approximately $30.8 million upfront, with an additional $19.2 million potentially from the cash exercise of ordinary warrants. Quoin intends to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the completion of clinical development for QRX003 for Netherton Syndrome, and expects the funds to last into the second half of 2029.

Biohaven Ltd.'s subsidiary, Biohaven Bioscience Ireland Limited (BBIL), entered into a global licensing agreement with SK Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (SKBP). Under the agreement, SKBP gains exclusive worldwide rights to Biohaven's Kv7 ion channel platform, including the lead candidate opakalim (BHV-7000) for focal epilepsy. Biohaven will receive an upfront payment of $400 million, with potential for up to $150 million in development and regulatory milestones, plus tiered royalties on net sales.