> Faron Pharmaceuticals filed to raise £5 million ($6 million). The proposed placing of shares is intended to give Faron money to expand the R&D program for Clevegen, its cancer antibody. Faron plans to expand its phase 1/2 program to include cancers of the ovaries, pancreas and other organs associated with high numbers of Clever-1 positive immune suppressive macrophages. Statement
> Shire extended its alliance with argenx. The extension means the companies will continue to work together on the discovery and development of antibodies against rare diseases until the end of May 2018. Release
> Addex Pharmaceuticals raised CHF 3 million ($3 million). The financing extends Addex’s financial runway out into next year. Addex closed out 2016 with CHF 1.4 million in cash. Herculis Partners led the placement. Statement
> Pieris Pharmaceuticals granted ASKA Pharmaceutical an exclusive option to license its anemia candidate PRS-080 in Japan. German-American biotech Pieris pocketed $2.75 million (€2.59 million) in exchange for the option. If ASKA exercises the option, Pieris will receive up to $80 million more through a license fee and subsequent milestones. Release
> Omeicos raised €8.3 million ($8.7 million) to move its treatment for atrial fibrillation into phase 1. Vesalius Biocapital II S.A. SICAR and SMS Company Group led the round. Omeicos has already started dosing healthy volunteers in the phase 1 study of its synthetic small molecule analog of the omega-3 fatty acid metabolite 17,18-EEQ. Release
> ASIT biotech reported phase 3 data on its grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis candidate. Statement
> Argenx signalled its intent to IPO in the U.S. Release