Biotech Startup M&A Is Reliably Delivering Some Big Exits
• Over past two years, biotech M&A exceeded $38B, surpassing many historic tech exits. • 2026 kickoff: Eli Lilly to pay up to $2.4B for Orna Therapeutics, boosting in‑vivo cell the
Pharma
Rhododendron-derived drugs now made by bacteria
• E. coli engineered to synthesize rhododendron-derived compounds with anticancer, anti-HIV, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory properties. • Kobe University’s rational design strateg
COO of Mayo Clinic Platform Believes De-identified Data Leads to Loss of Utility for Pharma, Other Third Parties
• COO Maneesh Goyal argues de-identified data still risks re-identification with advanced compute. • Mayo Clinic Platform’s Orchestrate platform offers pharma/medtech access to ric
WHO renews commitment to a leprosy-free world, spotlighting partnership and progress ahead of World Leprosy Day
• WHO reaffirms leprosy elimination goal, highlighting partnership with Novartis. • 172,717 new cases reported worldwide in 2024, yet 55 regions zero cases. • Multidrug therapy (MD
Treatment of a teenager with an ultra-rare condition is a medical milestone
• First FDA‑approved therapy for a rare pediatric disease, offering hope to thousands of families. • The drug, developed by a biotech startup, uses gene editing to correct a single