Novartis revealed detailed terms and a 4 October spin-off date for Sandoz’s standalone debut. Also, MIRA launched a small IPO, but two firms plan to go public in SPAC mergers. Also, Mirati’s $345m offering leads follow-ons offerings and Sangon Biotech raised $290m in venture capital.

Novel psychiatric drug has missed its Phase III efficacy endpoint in two Phase III trials, posing a potential blow to the Japanese firms' alliance plans in schizophrenia, although development in other CNS indications looks set to continue. 

After not closing a deal this year on Seagen, Merck takes a smaller step with a $1.35bn bid for Imago and its candidate for multiple myeloproliferative neoplasm indications.

While the psychedelic approach to mental health has recently achieved some clinical and regulatory validation, executives in the space warn the drugs cannot cure all and barriers to market remain.