Entries by Thomas Gabrielczyk

From cell therapy to combat rifles: Genenta bets its future on becoming Italy’s national-security dealmaker

Few biotech pivots are as jarring as Genenta’s latest move.

The Milan-based company, which went public in late 2021 on the promise of a novel cell-based gene therapy platform, is now effectively abandoning the single-asset biotech playbook. Instead, it wants to become something far closer to a holding company for defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, and national-security assets, starting with a manufacturer of tactical rifles.

After decades in biotech, Gimv draws a line under new life sciences deals

Belgian investment company Gimv is drawing a clear line under one chapter of its history. The firm announced via a press release that it will stop making new investments in life sciences and instead focus on four core platforms: consumer, healthcare, smart industries and sustainable cities, alongside its long-term investment program Anchor. The board framed the move as part of a sharper focus on long-term priorities and growth opportunities linked to digital transformation.

Board reshuffle at Rentschler

Unexpected changes at the top of Rentschler Biopharma: CEO Benedikt von Braunmühl and the Supervisory Board agreed on a swift separation in January, and COO Christiane Bardroff is also set to leave the biopharma manufacturer based in Laupheim, Baden-Württemberg, in the near future. The message from within the company: stay calm, it won´t knock us off course.

IO Biotech weighs strategic options months after FDA advises against melanoma vaccine filing

Four months after the FDA advised it against filing for approval of its lead melanoma vaccine, IO Biotech is preparing for further restructuring. The Copenhagen-based biotech said yesterday that it is exploring strategic alternatives, including a merger, asset sale, business combination, or potential liquidation, and warned that it may need to implement additional workforce reductions and cost-cutting measures as the process unfolds.

Oxford-based cancer vaccine company Infinitopes closes $35 million seed round

Infinitopes, a U.K. cancer vaccine biotech spun out of Cancer Research U.K. and the University of Oxford, has expanded its seed round to $35.1 million after a second close that added about $15.4 million to existing commitments. The financing was co-led by Octopus Ventures and new investor Amplify Bio. The company says the funds will support its upcoming first-in-human phase 1/2a VISTA trial of its lead therapeutic vaccine, ITOP1, aimed at reducing post-surgical recurrence in oesophageal cancer.