A group of Belgian and South Korean investors are providing series B funding to support an early-stage clinical study of an off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy candidate based on an allogeneic plasmacytoid dendritic cell line.

In a review of biopharma start-up dealmaking and financing activity from January through March, based on data from Strategic Transactions, Anthos completed the largest venture capital round in the first quarter, raising $250m.

Takeda continues to pursue the transformation of its R&D activities, which has already led to expansion of the pipeline, but will continue with core strategies including partnering even after the huge Shire acquisition.