Sidewinder Therapeutics’ bispecific antibody-drug conjugates target pairs of receptors found on cancer cells, which the company claims improves their specificity and minimizes off-target effects.

Original title: “Novartis-backed Sidewinder collects $137M series B to strike at difficult-to-treat tumors”

In this episode of Denatured, you'll hear from Jason Jones, head of global business development at Cellular Origins and Alexander Seyf, founder & CEO of Autolomous. They discuss how the push to scale cell and gene therapy manufacturing is accelerating interest in automation, digitization, robotics and deeper collaboration across the ecosystem.

Original title: “Automation, Collaboration and the Future of Advanced Therapies”

CRO Denise Dresser said enterprise is now 40% of the company's revenue and is set to equal consumer by the end of 2026. Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar told CNBC that the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence giant started testing the waters with retail in its latest funding round and saw "really strong demand" from individuals. She pointed to other advantages of being public, noting that OpenAI can start tapping convertible debt and investment-grade debt to fund its endless need for compute. OpenAI has been speaking to bankers about a public offering as soon as the fourth quarter, a source recently told CNBC. Friar wouldn't comment on an IPO timeline, but said it's "good hygiene" for a company of OpenAI's size to "look and feel and act ... She pointed to her time as CFO of Square, now known as Block, where the fintech company offered a direct selling program to small business owners and sellers in its IPO.

Original title: “OpenAI will allocate IPO shares to retail investors as it preps for debut, CFO says”

Backed by OrbiMed, Novartis’ venture arm and many other investors, the biotech is among those working on newer technology that could broaden the reach of antibody-drug conjugates.

Original title: “Sidewinder secures $137M to advance ‘precision’ ADCs”

On a conference call with analysts, Gilead walked through how a string of recent deals focused on cancer and autoimmune conditions could help a diversification plan it’s long struggled to execute.

Original title: “With 3 quick buyouts, Gilead leans into its latest transformation”

Shah Capital, which has agitated for change at the vaccine maker for years, is calling on fellow shareholders to end what it calls “dogmatic leadership” that’s led to the “destruction” of Novavax’s equity value.

Original title: “Activist investor revives campaign to overhaul Novavax board”

Jeito claimed the new bankroll, which will support 15 to 20 clinical-stage companies, is the largest ever for a “fully independent European fund dedicated to biopharma.”

Original title: “Jeito Capital, prominent biotech investor, raises $1.2B for next fund”

Gilead Sciences has inked three deals this year so far totaling $14.77 billion, a marked escalation of the company’s usual M&A pace. Executives detailed the rationale for buying Arcellx, Ouro Medicine and Tubulis GmbH and whether they are interested in further deals.

Original title: “Gilead Less M&A Happy Now but Door Still Open for ‘Compelling’ Opportunities”

Indian tech startups raised USD 11.7 billion in FY 2025-26, an 18% drop from the previous year. Despite this, early-stage funding saw a 33% surge. India remained the fourth-highest funded country globally. FinTech and Enterprise Applications led sector funding. Indian tech startups raised USD 11.7 billion in FY 2025-26, an 18% drop from the previous year. Despite this, early-stage funding saw a 33% surge. India remained the fourth-highest funded country globally. FinTech and Enterprise Applications led sector funding. The year also saw a significant rise in IPOs and unicorn creation. Funding of retail startups declined by 32 per cent to USD 2.4 billion in FY26 from USD 3.5 billion in 2024-25 and a 19 per cent decrease compared to USD 2.9 billion raised in FY24. "On the IPO front, India Tech recorded 47 IPOs in FY 2025-26, marking a 52 per cent increase over 31 IPOs in FY 2024-25 and a 47 per cent rise compared to 32 IPOs in FY 2023-24. "Major IPOs during the year included Lenskart, Groww, and Meesho.

Original title: “Indian tech startups' funding declines 18% to $11.7 billion in FY26: Tracxn - The Economic Times”

Looking for a biopharma job in Texas? Check out the BioSpace list of 10 companies hiring life sciences professionals like you.

Original title: “10 Companies Hiring in Texas Now”

Novo escalated a GLP-1 pricing war with the launch of its newest obesity medicine. Elsewhere, analysts came to Insmed’s defense and HHS changed the way panelists for a key vaccine committee are selected.

Original title: “Novo underprices Lilly with higher-dose Wegovy; Insmed absorbs ‘expected’ study failure”

"Your tenure has overseen a DESTRUCTION of shareholder value—a direct result of chronic operational shortcomings and failures on fiduciary duty," Shah Capital wrote to Novavax’s leadership in an open letter published Wednesday.

Original title: “Novavax Shareholder Vows To Fight CEO Pay Package, End ‘Dogmatic Leadership’”

Another bidder, which remains unidentified, dropped out of the bidding process. Analysts at William Blair now think it unlikely that another suitor could offer a counter-proposal to Merck’s outstanding $6.7 billion acquisition offer.

Original title: “Merck Chopped $1B Off Terns’ Offer After Seeing Updated Leukemia Data”

The approval of Eli Lilly’s oral obesity drug officially ignites an intense competition with Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy; Gilead Sciences and Neurocrine Biosciences keep the M&A train chugging; Trump hits pharma with his long promised tariffs, and the FDA proposes many changes with 2027 budget.

Original title: “Lilly’s Foundayo Nod Launches New Battle With Novo, M&A Mania Continues, Tariffs Hit Pharma”

As cell and gene therapy developers face rising pressure to produce therapies faster and at lower cost, the industry is leaning on robotics, digital systems and partnerships to bridge the gap between innovation and delivery.

Original title: “As CGT Manufacturing Scales Up, Automation and Collaboration Become Essential”

As Daré Biosciences approaches a pivotal year with a key product launch ahead, the company kicked off an open public offering, providing a chance for individuals to get involved for as little as $250.

Original title: “Daré's CEO Wants Everyone To Invest in Women’s Health, Starting With Her Company”

In the current geopolitical and capital-market uncertainty, biotechs that have not mastered the basics are the ones struggling the most. Here’s how—and why—to get the details right.

Original title: “To Survive the Downturn, Biotechs Must Return to Basics”

Learn more with Inside Philanthropy about rare disease research, funding and what's needed in this piece by Erin Finucane and Nicole Boice of SEE RARE. Scientific advances hold a lot of promise for rare disease treatment, Erin Finucane and Nicole Boice write. What’s needed right now is philanthropic alignment.

Original title: “Rare disease research needs a funding champion | Inside Philanthropy”

Regulatory filings show that Terns ultimately accepted an offer 15% lower than a previous proposal as four companies vied for rights to the coveted leukemia drug developer.

Original title: “Terns rebuffed a higher bid before selling to Merck”