While Intercept is calling it quits in NASH with its FXR agonist obeticholic acid following a second complete response letter, other companies are staying the course with Phase II molecules in the class.

Repurposed drugs, new compounds and neutralizing antibodies are among the targets of a new collaborative venture supported by Europe’s Innovative Medicines Initiative. 

The study is designed to support the regulatory approval process in China and confirm that the safety and immunogenicity profile observed in German and US trials is comparable to that of Chinese participants, according to BioNTech.

The first half of 2018 appeared promising for the European biopharma sector, with multiple large investment funds promising cash to young, innovative companies in the region – a turnaround after years of life science firms suffering from a funding drought across Europe.