Already partnered on antibody-drug conjugates and a Phase III breast cancer candidate, Merck could pay up to $9.3bn under its third pact in 2022 with Kelun. Eisai divests Fycompa to Catalyst.

An alliance of Deerfield and the Broad Institute to accelerate research into high-mortality diseases identifies its first two research projects, while Janssen and UPenn look into gene therapy for Alzheimer's disease.

Jeffrey Patrick joins Ohio State's effort to develop cancer drugs from internal research, bringing a biopharma viewpoint to optimizing such programs before the deal-making effort starts. Plus, the EMA sets a framework for academic interaction, and more tech transfer news.

The menace of drug resistant bacteria continues to grow. As Big Pharma has exited early-stage antibacterial R&D in recent years, start-ups like Protez Pharmaceuticals have filled the void.