The Weekly Term Sheet (2026-W02)
The Week in Context
The halls of the Westin St. Francis were buzzing with deal speculation, yet the mega-mergers that analysts predicted failed to materialize. Rumored targets including Revolution Medicines, Arcus Biosciences, and Syndax Pharmaceuticals remained independent as acquirers opted for billion-dollar licensing deals over outright acquisitions.
What did emerge was a clear pattern: Western pharma companies are increasingly willing to pay substantial upfronts—$50 million to $650 million—to access Asia-originated innovation, particularly in oncology. Four of the five largest transactions announced during the week involved Chinese biotech partners, continuing a trend that accelerated throughout 2025.
The week also showcased the growing intersection of artificial intelligence and drug discovery, highlighted by NVIDIA and Eli Lilly's announcement of a $1 billion co-innovation lab and AstraZeneca's acquisition of AI biotech Modella—the first such deal by a major pharmaceutical company.
Mergers & Acquisitions
AstraZeneca Acquires Modella AI — First AI Company Acquired by Major Pharma
On January 13, AstraZeneca announced the acquisition of Modella AI, a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company specializing in multi-modal foundation models for oncology biomarker discovery. The transaction marks a historic milestone: the first outright acquisition of an AI company by a major pharmaceutical company.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal represents the culmination of a multi-year collaboration initiated in July 2025. Under that partnership, Modella developed AI agents capable of integrating genomics, proteomics, medical imaging, and clinical data to identify novel biomarkers predicting patient response to AstraZeneca's oncology portfolio.
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Acquirer | AstraZeneca plc (LSE: AZN) |
| Target | Modella AI (San Francisco, CA) |
| Transaction Value | Not disclosed |
| Expected Close | Q1 2026 |
| Strategic Rationale | Integrate AI foundation models into oncology R&D |
| Financial Advisors | Not disclosed |
| Legal Advisors | Not disclosed |
Modella's platform leverages transformer-based architectures trained on proprietary datasets spanning millions of patient samples. The company's AI agents can autonomously design biomarker hypotheses, validate them against real-world evidence, and generate testable predictions for clinical development teams. AstraZeneca plans to deploy these capabilities across its oncology franchise, including Tagrisso (osimertinib) for EGFR-mutant lung cancer, Imfinzi (durvalumab) for various solid tumors, and Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) for HER2-expressing cancers.
AbbVie Acquires West Pharmaceutical Services Arizona Facility
Also on January 12, AbbVie announced an agreement to purchase a drug-delivery device manufacturing facility in Tempe, Arizona from West Pharmaceutical Services for approximately $175 million.
The facility produces West's proprietary SmartDose on-body injector platform, which enables subcutaneous delivery of large-volume biologics (up to 3.5 mL) via a wearable device. This technology is critical for AbbVie's expanding immunology and oncology injectable portfolio, including Skyrizi (risankizumab) and Rinvoq (upadacitinib).
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Acquirer | AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) |
| Seller | West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST) |
| Asset | Tempe, AZ manufacturing facility |
| Transaction Value | ~$175 million |
| Technology | 3.5 mL SmartDose® on-body injector platform |
| Employees | ~200 positions to be created |
| Expected Close | Mid-2026 |
The acquisition supports AbbVie's commitment to invest more than $10 billion in U.S. manufacturing capacity over the next decade, responding to both policy incentives and supply chain resilience concerns that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Licensing & Collaboration Deals
The licensing landscape was dominated by transactions with Chinese biotechs, reflecting Western pharma's growing appetite for Asia-originated innovation—particularly in oncology modalities like bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and radioligand therapies.
AbbVie / RemeGen — $5.6 Billion for PD-1/VEGF Bispecific
The week's largest transaction came on January 12 when AbbVie and China's RemeGen Co., Ltd. (HKEX: 9995) announced an exclusive licensing agreement for RC148, a PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, with a total deal value of up to $5.6 billion.
Under the terms, AbbVie will pay RemeGen $650 million upfront—one of the largest upfront payments for a Phase 2 oncology asset—plus up to $4.95 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. RemeGen will also receive tiered double-digit royalties on net sales outside Greater China, where it retains full commercial rights.
| Deal Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Upfront Payment | $650 million |
| Development & Regulatory Milestones | ~$1.55 billion |
| Commercial & Sales Milestones | ~$3.4 billion |
| Total Potential Value | $5.6 billion |
| Royalty Structure | Tiered double-digit (estimated 10–22%) |
| Territory | AbbVie: worldwide ex-Greater China |
Legal Advisors:
- AbbVie: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Partner Kristen Riemenschneider, Washington DC; Partner Richard Bird, Hong Kong)
- RemeGen: Not disclosed
About RC148 — The Science
RC148 is a bispecific antibody that simultaneously binds PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) on T cells and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) in the tumor microenvironment. This dual mechanism addresses a fundamental limitation of checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy.
PD-1 inhibitors like Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Opdivo (nivolumab) have transformed oncology, but durable responses occur in only 15–20% of solid tumor patients. A key reason: VEGF creates an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by promoting regulatory T cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and abnormal tumor vasculature that excludes effector T cells.
By simultaneously blocking PD-1 and neutralizing VEGF, RC148 aims to "release the brakes" on anti-tumor immunity while simultaneously normalizing the tumor microenvironment to permit T cell infiltration. Early clinical data in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) have shown encouraging response rates in PD-1 refractory patients.
| RC148 Clinical Profile | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Bispecific antibody (IgG-like architecture) |
| Targets | PD-1 + VEGF |
| Mechanism | Checkpoint inhibition + anti-angiogenesis |
| Development Stage | Phase 2 |
| Lead Indications | NSCLC, colorectal cancer |
| Differentiation | Active in PD-1 refractory tumors |
| Regulatory | FDA approved Phase 2 trial initiation (August 2025) |
AbbVie plans to evaluate RC148 in combination with its antibody-drug conjugate portfolio, including telisotuzumab vedotin (ABBV-399), a c-Met-targeting ADC in Phase 2 for NSCLC. The combination of a bispecific checkpoint inhibitor with a tumor-targeted cytotoxic payload represents a potentially synergistic approach to solid tumor therapy.
Novartis / SciNeuro — $1.7 Billion Alzheimer's Partnership
On the same day, Novartis announced a global licensing and co-development agreement with SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals for a next-generation anti-amyloid beta antibody utilizing proprietary blood-brain barrier shuttle technology.
The deal includes a $165 million upfront payment to SciNeuro plus up to $1.5 billion in development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, bringing the total potential value to $1.7 billion. SciNeuro will also receive tiered royalties on worldwide net sales.
| Deal Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Upfront Payment | $165 million |
| Development Milestones | Undisclosed breakdown |
| Regulatory Milestones | Undisclosed breakdown |
| Commercial Milestones | Undisclosed breakdown |
| Total Milestones | Up to $1.5 billion |
| Total Potential Value | ~$1.7 billion |
| Royalty Structure | Tiered (estimated high single-digit to mid-teens) |
| Territory | Worldwide |
| Regulatory | Subject to HSR antitrust clearance |
About SciNeuro's Blood-Brain Barrier Shuttle — The Science
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) presents a formidable challenge for Alzheimer's therapeutics. Current anti-amyloid antibodies like Leqembi (lecanemab) and Kisunla (donanemab) achieve only 1–2% brain penetration, requiring high systemic doses that may contribute to amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA)—brain swelling and microhemorrhages that occur in up to 35% of patients.
SciNeuro's proprietary shuttle technology uses a bispecific design that binds both the therapeutic target (amyloid-beta) and the transferrin receptor expressed on brain endothelial cells. This enables receptor-mediated transcytosis—essentially hijacking the brain's natural iron transport mechanism to ferry the antibody across the BBB.
Preclinical data suggest this approach can achieve 10–30x higher brain concentrations compared to conventional antibodies, potentially allowing lower systemic dosing while maintaining therapeutic CNS levels. This could translate to improved efficacy and reduced ARIA risk.
| SciNeuro Technology | Details |
|---|---|
| Platform | Blood-brain barrier shuttle (transferrin receptor-mediated) |
| Format | Bispecific antibody |
| Target | Amyloid-beta plaques and oligomers |
| Brain Penetration | 10–30x improvement vs. conventional antibodies |
| Development Stage | Preclinical to early Phase 1 |
| Key Advantage | Potential for lower systemic doses and reduced ARIA |
Under the collaboration structure, SciNeuro will participate in early-stage development, after which Novartis will assume responsibility for global clinical trials and commercialization. The deal reflects Novartis's renewed interest in neuroscience following the spin-off of its generics business and the strategic repositioning toward innovative medicines.
Novartis / Zonsen PepLib — Radioligand Therapy Expansion
In a "double-take" that surprised conference attendees, Novartis announced a second major licensing deal on the same day—this time with China's Zonsen PepLib Biotech for an undisclosed peptide-based radioligand therapy (RLT).
Novartis paid $50 million upfront for worldwide exclusive rights, with additional development, regulatory, and commercial milestones plus tiered royalties (amounts not disclosed).
| Deal Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Upfront Payment | $50 million |
| Milestones | Undisclosed (estimated $500M–$1B) |
| Royalties | Tiered (rates not disclosed) |
| Territory | Worldwide exclusive |
| Asset | Undisclosed peptide-based RLT |
About Radioligand Therapy — The Science
Radioligand therapies represent one of the fastest-growing modalities in oncology. These agents consist of a tumor-targeting ligand (typically a small molecule or peptide) conjugated to a therapeutic radioisotope—most commonly lutetium-177 (beta emitter) or actinium-225 (alpha emitter).
Upon binding to tumor-expressed targets, the radioisotope delivers localized cytotoxic radiation to cancer cells while minimizing systemic exposure. The approach has been validated by Novartis's own Pluvicto (lutetium-177 vipivotide tetraxetan), which targets PSMA in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and generated $2.3 billion in 2025 sales.
Zonsen PepLib specializes in cyclic peptide discovery using proprietary phage display and medicinal chemistry platforms. Their peptides serve as targeting vectors that can be conjugated to various payloads, including radioisotopes, cytotoxic drugs, or imaging agents. The specific target and indication for the Novartis-licensed asset were not disclosed, but the deal expands Novartis's RLT pipeline beyond PSMA-targeting agents into new tumor types.
Nuvation Bio / Eisai — Taletrectinib European License
Nuvation Bio (NYSE: NUVB) and Eisai Co., Ltd. announced on January 12 an exclusive licensing agreement for taletrectinib (marketed as IBTROZI® in the United States), a next-generation ROS1 inhibitor.
Under the deal, Eisai gains exclusive commercialization rights across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Russia, Turkey, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and select Asian markets. Nuvation retains U.S. commercial rights and global development leadership.
| Deal Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Upfront Payment | €50 million (~$60 million) |
| Regulatory Milestone | €25 million (upon EU approval) |
| Sales Milestones | Up to €120 million |
| Total Potential Value | €195 million (~$230 million) |
| Royalty Structure | Low-to-high teens (10–19%), tiered |
| Territories to Eisai | Europe, MENA, Canada, ANZ, select Asia |
This deal provided the most detailed public disclosure of royalty terms among JPM week transactions, with Nuvation confirming royalties in the low-to-high teens range—valuable benchmarking data for the industry.
About Taletrectinib — The Science
Taletrectinib is a highly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting ROS1 (c-ros oncogene 1) and NTRK1/2/3 (neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinases). ROS1 gene fusions occur in approximately 1–2% of non-small cell lung cancers, representing roughly 30,000 new diagnoses annually in Eisai's licensed territories.
The drug received full FDA approval in June 2025 based on the Phase 2 TRUST-II trial, which demonstrated an objective response rate of 91% in treatment-naïve ROS1-positive NSCLC patients and 52% in patients previously treated with crizotinib.
| Taletrectinib Clinical Profile | Details |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Tyrosine kinase inhibitor |
| Primary Target | ROS1 |
| Secondary Targets | NTRK1/2/3 |
| Approved Indication | ROS1-positive metastatic NSCLC |
| ORR (treatment-naïve) | 91% |
| ORR (crizotinib-pretreated) | 52% |
| Formulation | Oral, once-daily |
| Key Differentiation | Active against G2032R solvent-front mutation |
Critically, taletrectinib demonstrates activity against the G2032R solvent-front mutation—the most common resistance mechanism to first-generation ROS1 inhibitors like Xalkori (crizotinib). This positions taletrectinib as a potential treatment option for patients who progress on existing therapies.
Eisai plans to file a Marketing Authorization Application with the European Medicines Agency in H1 2026, with potential approval in 2027. The drug is already licensed to Innovent Biologics in China and Nippon Kayaku in Japan.
Vaximm / BCM Europe — $845 Million Immunotherapy Deal with Crypto Twist
In one of the more unusual transactions of the week, OSR Holdings (OTCQB: OSRH) announced that its Swiss subsidiary Vaximm AG secured a binding term sheet with BCM Europe AG for exclusive worldwide rights to VXM01, an oral T-cell immunotherapy targeting cancer.
The deal includes a $30 million upfront payment—with 50% paid in cash and 50% in cryptocurrency or digital assets—plus up to $815 million in development and commercial milestones. A royalty-sharing arrangement will govern commercial sales.
| Deal Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Upfront Payment | $30 million (50% cash, 50% crypto) |
| Development Milestones | Up to $415 million |
| Commercial Milestones | Up to $400 million |
| Total Potential Value | ~$845 million |
| Structure | Royalty-sharing arrangement |
| Definitive Agreement Target | May 2026 |
The partial payment in digital assets represents an unprecedented structure in biopharma licensing. BCM Europe AG is described as a newly formed, investor-backed Swiss entity, though details about its financial backing remain limited. The deal is contingent on an independent fairness opinion before definitive agreement execution.
About VXM01 — The Science
VXM01 is an orally administered T-cell vaccine based on Vaximm's proprietary T-KINES® platform. The vaccine uses an attenuated Salmonella typhi bacterial vector engineered to express VEGFR-2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2), a protein highly expressed on tumor blood vessels.
Upon oral administration, the attenuated bacteria are taken up by gut-associated lymphoid tissue, where they trigger a potent CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell response against VEGFR-2. These tumor-specific T cells then circulate systemically and attack VEGFR-2-expressing endothelial cells in the tumor vasculature, effectively destroying the tumor's blood supply from within.
| VXM01 Clinical Profile | Details |
|---|---|
| Platform | T-KINES® oral vaccine technology |
| Format | Attenuated Salmonella typhi vector |
| Target | VEGFR-2 (tumor vasculature) |
| Mechanism | CD8+ T-cell-mediated anti-angiogenesis |
| Development Stage | Phase 2 |
| Lead Indication | Glioblastoma multiforme |
| Differentiation | Oral administration, active immunization |
Unlike conventional anti-VEGF therapies like Avastin (bevacizumab) that neutralize circulating VEGF protein, VXM01 generates a durable T-cell memory response that may provide long-lasting anti-angiogenic effects. Phase 2 studies in glioblastoma have shown evidence of T-cell infiltration into tumors and preliminary signals of clinical activity.
Royalty Transactions
Royalty Pharma / Teva — $500 Million TEV-408 Development Funding
On January 11—the eve of the J.P. Morgan conference—Royalty Pharma (NASDAQ: RPRX) and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE: TEVA) announced a development funding agreement for TEV-408, an anti-IL-15 monoclonal antibody targeting vitiligo.
The deal provides Teva with up to $500 million in non-dilutive funding: $75 million immediately to co-fund a Phase 2b trial, plus an option for an additional $425 million to support Phase 3 development contingent on positive Phase 2b results. In return, Royalty Pharma will receive a milestone payment upon regulatory approval and tiered royalties on worldwide net sales.
| Deal Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Immediate Funding | $75 million |
| Phase 3 Option | $425 million (contingent on Phase 2b success) |
| Total Potential Funding | $500 million |
| Royalty Pharma Returns | Approval milestone + tiered royalties |
| Asset | TEV-408 (anti-IL-15 mAb) |
| Indication | Vitiligo |
| Regulatory Status | FDA Fast Track designation (May 2025) |
This marks Royalty Pharma's second collaboration with Teva, following a 2023 agreement involving olanzapine LAI. The deal is notable for its early-stage nature—Royalty Pharma typically focuses on later-stage or approved assets with more established risk profiles.
About TEV-408 and Vitiligo — The Science
Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition affecting 0.5–2% of the global population, causing depigmented patches of skin due to destruction of melanocytes by autoreactive CD8+ T cells. The condition carries significant psychological burden, and until recently, no systemic treatments were approved.
The only FDA-approved therapy is Opzelura (ruxolitinib cream), a topical JAK inhibitor approved in 2022. However, topical therapy has limitations for patients with extensive disease involvement, creating substantial unmet need for systemic options.
TEV-408 targets interleukin-15 (IL-15), a cytokine critical for the survival, proliferation, and activation of CD8+ T cells—including the tissue-resident memory T cells that mediate melanocyte destruction in vitiligo. By neutralizing IL-15, TEV-408 aims to deplete these pathogenic T cells while preserving broader immune function.
| TEV-408 Clinical Profile | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody |
| Target | Interleukin-15 (IL-15) |
| Mechanism | Depletes autoreactive CD8+ T cells |
| Development Stage | Phase 1b/2a completed |
| Lead Indication | Vitiligo |
| Secondary Indication | Celiac disease (exploratory) |
| Regulatory | FDA Fast Track designation |
| Differentiation | Potential first systemic therapy for vitiligo |
The Phase 2b trial will evaluate TEV-408 in patients with moderate-to-severe vitiligo, with primary endpoints focused on facial repigmentation using standardized assessment scales. If successful, TEV-408 could become the first systemic therapy approved for vitiligo.
Deal Structure Analysis
This transaction exemplifies the "synthetic royalty" model that Royalty Pharma has increasingly deployed for earlier-stage assets. Rather than acquiring royalty streams on approved drugs (the company's traditional focus), Royalty Pharma shares development risk in exchange for future royalty economics.
The staged funding structure—$75 million now, $425 million contingent—manages downside exposure while capturing substantial optionality on a potentially first-in-class mechanism. For Teva, the deal provides non-dilutive capital to advance an innovative asset without burdening its balance sheet, which remains focused on debt reduction following years of restructuring.
Strategic Partnerships
NVIDIA / Eli Lilly — $1 Billion AI Co-Innovation Lab
The most closely watched partnership announcement came on January 12 when NVIDIA and Eli Lilly unveiled plans for a joint AI co-innovation lab with combined investment of up to $1 billion over five years.
CEOs Jensen Huang and David Ricks jointly announced the partnership at a fireside chat during the conference, describing it as an effort to "reinvent drug discovery in the age of AI."
| Partnership Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Partners | NVIDIA Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company |
| Investment | Up to $1 billion (5 years, combined) |
| Location | San Francisco Bay Area |
| Opening | End of March 2026 |
| Technology Platform | NVIDIA BioNeMo, Vera Rubin architecture |
| Focus Areas | Drug discovery, clinical development, manufacturing |
The lab will leverage NVIDIA's BioNeMo platform—a suite of AI frameworks optimized for biomolecular applications—running on the company's latest Vera Rubin GPU architecture. Applications span the drug discovery pipeline:
- Target identification: Using large language models trained on biomedical literature and multi-omics data to identify novel drug targets
- Molecular design: Generative AI to design small molecules and biologics with optimized properties
- Clinical trial optimization: Predictive models for patient stratification and trial design
- Manufacturing: AI-guided process development and quality control
The partnership represents the largest disclosed AI-pharma infrastructure investment to date, signaling a shift from arm's-length AI collaborations to deeply integrated capabilities. For Lilly—already among the world's most valuable pharmaceutical companies following the success of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Zepbound—the investment reflects a belief that AI will fundamentally reshape drug development economics.
Venture Capital & Private Financings
Investor appetite for biotech remained robust during the week, with multiple significant venture rounds closing. While several large financings were announced in the days immediately preceding JPM (January 7–10), at least five major rounds were confirmed during the January 11–17 window.
Rounds Announced January 11–17, 2026
| Company | Round | Amount | Lead Investors | Therapeutic Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proxima (fka VantAI) | Seed | $80 million | DCVC, NVentures (NVIDIA), Braidwell | AI proximity therapeutics |
| Vibrant Therapeutics | Undisclosed | $61 million | Pfizer Ventures, Apricot Capital | Masked T-cell engager (oncology) |
| Cytotheryx | Series A | $60 million | Ouroboros Family Founders Fund | Liver regeneration therapy |
| Caldera Therapeutics | Series A-1 | Undisclosed | Omega Funds | IL-23/TL1A bispecific (IBD) |
| Mirador Therapeutics | Series B | $250 million | T. Rowe Price, Fidelity, Adage | Inflammatory bowel disease |
Proxima (formerly VantAI) raised an $80 million seed round led by DCVC with participation from NVIDIA's NVentures, Braidwell, Roivant Sciences, AIX Ventures, and Alexandria Venture Investments. The company develops AI-driven "proximity therapeutics"—drugs that work by inducing or disrupting protein-protein interactions, including molecular glues and heterobifunctional degraders.
Vibrant Therapeutics secured $61 million from a syndicate led by Pfizer Ventures and Apricot Capital, with participation from Bayland Capital, Northern Light Venture Capital, HSG Ventures, and First Principle VC. The cross-border financing will advance VIB305, a masked T-cell engager targeting EGFR-positive solid tumors, into Phase 1 trials in Australia and China.
Cytotheryx, a Minnesota-based preclinical company developing bioartificial liver support therapies, closed a $60 million Series A from Ouroboros Family Founders Fund I, LP as sole investor. The proceeds will advance the company's liver regeneration platform toward clinical development.
Notable Pre-JPM Rounds (January 7–10, 2026)
Several large venture rounds announced immediately before the conference were frequently discussed during JPM week:
| Company | Round | Amount | Lead Investors | Therapeutic Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parabilis Medicines | Series F | $305 million | RA Capital, Fidelity, Janus Henderson | Beta-catenin inhibitor (oncology) |
| AirNexis Therapeutics | Series A | $200 million | Frazier Life Sciences | Dual PDE3/4 inhibitor (COPD) |
| Alveus Therapeutics | Series A | $160 million | New Rhein Healthcare, Andera Partners, Omega Funds | GLP-1/GIPR (obesity) |
| SonoThera | Series B | $125 million | Not disclosed | Ultrasound-mediated gene delivery |
| Kinaset Therapeutics | Series B | $103 million | RA Capital, Forge Life Science | Inhaled JAK inhibitor (asthma) |
Parabilis Medicines (formerly FogPharma) raised a $305 million oversubscribed Series F—the week's largest venture round—to advance zolucatetide (FOG-001), a first-in-class beta-catenin inhibitor. The Helicon platform-derived miniprotein is in Phase 2 for desmoid tumors, with expansion studies planned in colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Over 20 investors participated, including RA Capital, Fidelity, Janus Henderson, ARCH Venture Partners, GV, T. Rowe Price, General Catalyst, and Casdin Capital.
Public Offerings
The biotech IPO market showed signs of recovery, with Aktis Oncology delivering the sector's largest U.S. offering since early 2024.
Aktis Oncology IPO — $365 Million
Aktis Oncology (NASDAQ: AKTS) completed an upsized initial public offering on January 13, raising $365.4 million including full exercise of underwriters' options—the largest biotech IPO since early 2024.
| IPO Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Aktis Oncology, Inc. |
| Exchange | NASDAQ Global Select Market |
| Ticker | AKTS |
| Pricing Date | January 8, 2026 |
| First Trading Date | January 9, 2026 |
| Closing Date | January 13, 2026 |
| Price | $18.00 per share (top of $16–18 range) |
| Shares Offered | 20.3 million (including greenshoe) |
| Gross Proceeds | $365.4 million |
Underwriter Syndicate:
- Joint Lead Bookrunners: J.P. Morgan (lead left), BofA Securities, Leerink Partners, TD Cowen
- Co-Managers: Stifel, Wedbush Securities
Legal Advisors:
- Company Counsel: Goodwin Procter LLP
- Underwriters' Counsel: Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (Partners Deanna L. Kirkpatrick, Yasin Keshvargar)
The offering was anchored by a $100 million investment from Eli Lilly—approximately one-third of the total raise—providing powerful validation for the company's radiopharmaceutical platform. Additional cornerstone commitments came from EcoR1 Capital (~$40 million) and Vida Ventures (~$15 million). Pre-IPO investors include MPM BioImpact, RA Capital, and Vida Ventures.
About Aktis Oncology — The Science
Aktis is developing actinium-225-based radioligand therapies targeting solid tumors. The company's lead candidate, AKY-1189, targets Nectin-4—the same antigen targeted by Padcev (enfortumab vedotin), Pfizer/Astellas's blockbuster antibody-drug conjugate for urothelial carcinoma.
Unlike Padcev, which delivers a cytotoxic payload via antibody internalization, AKY-1189 delivers alpha-particle radiation directly to Nectin-4-expressing tumor cells. Alpha particles cause dense ionization tracks that induce irreparable DNA double-strand breaks, potentially overcoming resistance mechanisms that limit ADC efficacy.
| AKY-1189 Profile | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Actinium-225 radioligand therapy |
| Target | Nectin-4 |
| Indication | Metastatic urothelial carcinoma |
| Development Stage | Phase 1 |
| Data Timeline | Initial results Q1 2027 |
| Differentiation | Alpha-particle radiation vs. ADC payload |
The IPO proceeds will fund clinical development of AKY-1189 and expansion of Aktis's pipeline into additional solid tumor targets.
BriaCell Therapeutics — $30 Million Follow-On
BriaCell Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BCTX) closed a $30 million public offering on January 15, consisting of units priced at $5.59 each (one common share plus one warrant).
| Offering Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuer | BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. |
| Type | Best-efforts public offering |
| Gross Proceeds | $30 million |
| Unit Price | $5.59 (1 share + 1 warrant) |
| Warrants | Listed on NASDAQ (BCTXL); $6.93 exercise price; 5-year term |
| Placement Agent | ThinkEquity LLC |
| Closing Date | January 15, 2026 |
BriaCell is developing personalized immunotherapies for breast cancer and other solid tumors. Proceeds will fund ongoing clinical trials and general corporate purposes.
Foghorn Therapeutics — $50 Million Registered Direct at 30% Premium
Foghorn Therapeutics (NASDAQ: FHTX) closed a $50 million registered direct offering on January 13 at a 30% premium to market—a notable show of investor confidence.
| Offering Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Foghorn Therapeutics Inc. |
| Type | Registered direct offering |
| Gross Proceeds | $50 million |
| Premium | 30% to January 9 closing price |
| Placement Agent | None (direct) |
| Legal Counsel | Ropes & Gray LLP |
| Closing Date | January 13, 2026 |
Investors included BVF Partners, Deerfield Management, and founding investor Flagship Pioneering. Foghorn is developing therapies targeting the chromatin regulatory system—the cellular machinery that controls gene expression—with lead programs in oncology.
SPAC Transactions
SL Bio / Horizon Space Acquisition II — $5.7 Billion De-SPAC
SL Bio Ltd. and Horizon Space Acquisition II Corp. (NASDAQ: HSPT) announced on January 14 that the SEC declared their business combination registration statement effective, setting the stage for a shareholder vote.
| SPAC Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Target | SL Bio Ltd. (Taiwan) |
| SPAC | Horizon Space Acquisition II Corp. |
| Implied Equity Value | ~$5.7 billion |
| SEC Effective Date | January 13, 2026 |
| Shareholder Vote | February 3, 2026 |
| Redemption Deadline | January 30, 2026 |
| Expected Close | By February 18, 2026 |
| Post-Merger Ticker | SLBT (NASDAQ) |
SL Bio develops cellular and gene therapies including Armed-T® (armed autologous T cells), gamma delta T-cell therapies for hematologic malignancies, and bovine-derived milk exosomes for regenerative medicine applications.
The $5.7 billion implied valuation has drawn scrutiny given SL Bio's early clinical stage. PIPE participation and earnout provisions, which could significantly affect actual proceeds and valuation, were not fully disclosed.
Bankruptcies & Restructurings
The deal activity at JPM stood in stark contrast to ongoing distress in the venture-backed biotech sector, with multiple wind-downs and layoffs announced during the week.
Lyra Therapeutics — Wind-Down
Lyra Therapeutics (NASDAQ: LYRA) announced on January 12 that it is ceasing operations and laying off all 28 remaining employees, despite having generated positive Phase 3 data for its lead asset.
| Restructuring Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Lyra Therapeutics, Inc. |
| Announcement Date | January 12, 2026 |
| Employees Affected | 28 (100% of workforce) |
| Cash Position | $22.1 million |
| Runway | Into Q3 2026 |
| Strategic Advisor | SSG Capital Advisors |
| Stock Reaction | -39% premarket |
The company's lead program, LYR-210, is a biodegradable sinonasal implant delivering mometasone furoate for chronic rhinosinusitis. The Phase 3 ENLIGHTEN 2 trial met its primary endpoint in June 2025, demonstrating statistically significant improvement in nasal congestion and sinus symptoms versus placebo.
Despite the positive data, Lyra was unable to secure the capital required for regulatory filing and commercialization. The company cited "insufficient resources" in its announcement and engaged SSG Capital Advisors to explore strategic alternatives, including potential asset sales.
The Lyra wind-down illustrates a harsh reality of the current biotech environment: even clinical success does not guarantee company survival without adequate financing runway.
Sonoma Biotherapeutics — Layoffs
Sonoma Biotherapeutics, co-founded by 2025 Nobel laureate Fred Ramsdell, announced "right-sizing" layoffs on January 13 affecting employees across all levels and functions.
| Restructuring Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Sonoma Biotherapeutics, Inc. |
| Announcement Date | January 13, 2026 |
| Employees Affected | Undisclosed (across all functions) |
| Locations | South San Francisco, Seattle, remote |
| New CEO | Stephen Dilly, MBBS, PhD |
| Priority Program | Phase 1 REGULATE-RA (SBT-77-7101) |
Sonoma is developing regulatory T cell (Treg) therapies for autoimmune diseases. The company's co-founder, Dr. Ramsdell, received the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his foundational work on Treg biology.
Despite the scientific pedigree, Sonoma has struggled to raise capital in a challenging environment. The restructuring will focus resources on the company's lead program, SBT-77-7101, an autologous Treg therapy in Phase 1 for rheumatoid arthritis.
Vedanta Biosciences — Restructuring
Vedanta Biosciences announced significant workforce reductions on January 16, with reports suggesting approximately 50% of employees were laid off and an additional 45% furloughed.
| Restructuring Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Vedanta Biosciences, Inc. |
| Announcement Date | January 16, 2026 |
| Employees Affected | ~50% laid off, ~45% furloughed |
| Priority Program | VE303 Phase 3 (recurrent C. difficile) |
Vedanta is developing defined bacterial consortia as live biotherapeutics. The restructuring will prioritize the company's Phase 3 RESTORATiVE303 trial evaluating VE303 for prevention of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection.
Market Analysis & Outlook
Key Themes from JPM26
China-to-West Licensing Dominance: Four of the five largest transactions announced during the week involved Chinese biotech partners. Western pharma companies paid combined upfronts exceeding $900 million for assets originated in China, reflecting both the maturation of the Chinese biotech ecosystem and Western companies' willingness to access innovation regardless of geography.
Licensing Over M&A: Despite persistent speculation about mega-deals targeting companies like Revolution Medicines and Arcus Biosciences, no transformational acquisitions materialized. Big Pharma appears to favor risk-managed licensing structures that provide pipeline optionality without the integration challenges and regulatory scrutiny of full acquisitions.
AI Integration Accelerates: The NVIDIA-Lilly $1 billion co-innovation lab and AstraZeneca's Modella AI acquisition signal a shift from arm's-length AI partnerships to deeply integrated capabilities. AI is moving from "nice to have" to core infrastructure for drug discovery.
Oncology Assets Dominate: Bispecific antibodies (RC148), antibody-drug conjugates, and radioligand therapies accounted for the majority of disclosed deal value, reflecting continued investor enthusiasm for novel oncology modalities.
IPO Window Opens: Aktis Oncology's $365 million offering—anchored by Eli Lilly's $100 million commitment—demonstrated that pharma validation can unlock public market access for high-conviction assets. Industry analysts predict up to 20 biotech IPOs may price in 2026.
Advisor Landscape
Davis Polk & Wardwell emerged as the dominant legal advisor, representing underwriters in the Aktis Oncology IPO and serving as issuer counsel for Insilico Medicine's Hong Kong listing. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer captured the week's largest licensing transaction (AbbVie/RemeGen), while Ropes & Gray advised on the Foghorn registered direct.
On the banking side, J.P. Morgan and BofA Securities led the Aktis IPO, while Morgan Stanley and CICC served as joint sponsors for Insilico Medicine's Hong Kong debut.
Complete Transaction Summary
Licensing & Collaboration Deals
| Partners | Date | Upfront | Milestones | Total Value | Royalties | Territory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AbbVie / RemeGen | Jan 12 | $650M | $4.95B | $5.6B | Double-digit tiered | Ex-Greater China |
| Novartis / SciNeuro | Jan 12 | $165M | $1.5B | $1.7B | Tiered | Worldwide |
| Vaximm / BCM Europe | Jan 12 | $30M | $815M | $845M | Royalty-sharing | Worldwide |
| Royalty Pharma / Teva | Jan 11 | $75M | $425M option | $500M | Tiered | Worldwide |
| Nuvation / Eisai | Jan 12 | €50M | €145M | €195M | Low-to-high teens | Ex-US/China/Japan |
| Novartis / Zonsen PepLib | Jan 12–13 | $50M | Undisclosed | TBD | Tiered | Worldwide |
M&A Transactions
| Acquirer | Target | Date | Value | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AstraZeneca | Modella AI | Jan 13 | Undisclosed | Full acquisition |
| AbbVie | West Pharma facility | Jan 12 | ~$175M | Asset purchase |
Public Offerings
| Company | Type | Date | Proceeds | Price | Lead Underwriters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aktis Oncology | IPO | Jan 13 | $365M | $18.00 | J.P. Morgan, BofA, Leerink, TD Cowen |
| Foghorn | Registered Direct | Jan 13 | $50M | 30% premium | None |
| BriaCell | Follow-on | Jan 15 | $30M | $5.59/unit | ThinkEquity |
Venture Capital (January 11–17)
| Company | Round | Amount | Lead Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proxima | Seed | $80M | DCVC, NVentures |
| Vibrant | — | $61M | Pfizer Ventures, Apricot |
| Cytotheryx | Series A | $60M | Ouroboros Family Founders |
This report is published by p05.org for informational purposes only. The author is not a lawyer or financial advisor. Nothing in this report constitutes investment advice, legal advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Data sourced from company press releases, SEC filings, and verified news reports.
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