Even after removing Xaira’s unusual $1bn seed financing, Evaluate’s data show that biopharma venture capital fundraising increased from the first to the second quarter and from Q2 of last year.

Private Company Edition: AltruBio raised up to $225m and Pheon garnered $120m in series B financings, while Lycia brought in $106.6m in series C cash. Also, Sands Capital closed its third life science fund, totaling $555m, and NewVale Capital debuted with $167m for life science services.

Deal-making between big pharma and biotech looks set to rise with a looming patent cliff increasing the need for the former to replenish its pipelines. Meanwhile, biotechs need partners to help them advance amid the ongoing big freeze on raising cash on public markets.

Evolving challenges will keep the COVID-19 pipeline active, while oncology, immunology and CNS are areas also expected to see much progress in 2022. Industry executives look forward to the year in therapeutic R&D.