A first big pharma partnership for Ascidian, headed up by ex-Biogen research head Michael Ehlers, as the Swiss firm expands its gene editing and neuroscience efforts.

Otsuka steps into the ocular gene therapy field through a technology licensing deal worth up to $1.5bn with ShapeTX, which in turn further expands the US firm's global reach following a $3bn collaboration with Roche. 

Deal Snapshot: Roche and University of Pittsburgh spinout Avista Therapeutics signed the pact to enable the Swiss drug maker to develop gene therapies for retinal diseases using Avista’s platform tech.

Barbara Lueckel, head of research technologies partnering, said Roche’s approach to platform deals has evolved with a focus on “generational technologies” to answer tough scientific questions.