After the historic approvals of Seres’ and Ferring’s microbiome-based treatments for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection, the two companies are waiting to see who dominates the $1bn market. Physicians say patients will steer the choice of treatments.

Private Company Edition: Venture capital mega-rounds of $100m or more held steady in April after a slow January and February then a surge in March, but VC fundraising is down overall this year. In recent raises, Enveda series B expanded to $119m, Vedanta brought in $106.5m and Convergent raised $90m.

The recent US approval of Ferring’s microbiome-targeting Rebyota is set to change the treatment landscape for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection and could be the proving ground for this class of agents. Rebyota is the first microbiome-targeting treatment to reach the market, but several promising candidates for the same indication are waiting in the wings.

The UK’s PureTech and US biotech Nektar have ended discussions about a potential merger which analysts did not see coming, but a deal could still happen and other companies may also make a move.