Entries by Thomas Gabrielczyk

Novo Nordisk Foundation commits DKK 5.5 billion to scale European biotech innovation

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has committed up to DKK 5.5 billion (€736 million) to the BioInnovation Institute (BII), a Copenhagen-based hub for life science and deep tech entrepreneurship. The long-term funding, running from 2026 to 2035, aims to strengthen Denmark’s innovation capacity while helping Europe turn scientific excellence into companies, jobs and solutions.

Faster to the bedside: Collaboration in cell therapy of Fresenius Kabi and TQ Therapeutics

Fresenius Kabi and TQ Therapeutics have entered into a strategic development agreement in cell and gene therapy. Fresenius Kabi receives an exclusive licence to develop, manufacture and distribute products incorporating TQ’s cell selection technology. The aim is to enable more scalable, efficient cell therapy production and broader, more cost-effective patient access.

2026: A year of reckoning for BioNTech

For BioNTech, 2026 could become one of the most decisive years since its pandemic-driven breakthrough. The pipeline is broad, the coffers are well stocked, partnerships are numerous, and the outlook extends far beyond 2030. Yet despite all the strategic preparation, one key question will be answered in the coming months: can the clinical data live up to the high expectations surrounding BioNTech’s cancer strategy?

Eli Lilly-Abivax €15 billion takeover rumor stirs markets, but no formal steps confirmed

While much of the biotech industry is focused on meetings and dealmaking at the J.P. Morgan (JPM) Healthcare Conference, a rumor has cut through the JPM noise. The possibility of Eli Lilly making a move on Abivax is back on the table, with a price tag that would imply a valuation close to twice the French company’s current market capitalisation at €8.4 billion ($9.8 billion).

Numab’s billion-dollar antibody deal takes an unexpected turn

Just over a year and a half ago, Swiss biotech Numab AG, based in Horgen on Lake Zurich, made the headlines when it sold a single antibody to Johnson & Johnson for US$1.25 billion via a spin-out vehicle. No back-loaded milestones, no future contingencies — but cash up front, as one might say, straight into the pocket.

Better late than never: Bayer eyes a slice of the mRNA vaccine pie

Patent disputes are part of everyday life in pharma. What is unusual is the timing. More than three years after the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bayer has launched a broad patent offensive against the makers of mRNA vaccines – just as the market has cooled and the pandemic feels firmly in the rear-view mirror. Understandable from a financial perspective, perhaps, but still raising questions about the timing.

Enodia Therapeutics raises €20.7m seed round for targeted protein degradation pipeline

Paris-based start-up Enodia Therapeutics has secured €20.7 million in seed funding to advance its early-stage pipeline of targeted protein degradation. Elaia, Pfizer Ventures and Bpifrance led the Seed financing under the InnoBio investment framework, with further contributions from Wallonie Entreprendre, Argobio Studio, MACSF, the Institut Pasteur, InvestSud, Sambrinvest and Mission BioCapital.