AbbVie got off to a strong start for 2022, driven by success from Skyrizi and Rinvoq, as well as the company’s neuroscience platform that includes the company’s depression treatments and its three-pronged approach to migraine.

Sanofi

Paris-based Sanofi and Mountain View, California-based IGM Biosciences inked a collaboration deal for oncology, immunology and inflammation that could surpass $6 billion.

Lilly is investing $700 million to build a state-of-the-art facility in the Boston Seaport, as part of plans to advance the company’s RNA-based research and development activities. 

Atara Biotherapeutics, an immunology-focused biopharmaceutical company based in San Francisco, announced a fatal serious adverse event (SAE) with a patient in a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

The world’s first medical trial authorized to deliberately expose participants to the coronavirus is seeking more volunteers as it steps up efforts to help develop better vaccines.

French drugmaker Sanofi SA is partnering with British AI firm Exscientia Plc to develop up to 15 drug candidates across oncology and immunology, in a deal worth up to $5.2 billion in milestone payments, the two companies said on January 7.

San Francisco-based biotech company Alumis, formerly Esker Therapeutics, closed on a $200 million Series B financing round.

Pfizer building sign logo

The share price of Arena Pharmaceuticals nearly doubled in premarket trading after pharma giant Pfizer announced the acquisition of the company and its diverse portfolio of developmental and clinical assets – including a late-stage ulcerative colitis treatment – in an all-cash deal valued at $6.7 billion.

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca said on Nov. 1 the company will transfer global rights for respiratory medicines Eklira and Duaklir to Covis Pharma Group for $270 million, as the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker looks to offload its older portfolio of medicines.

Immunology is one of the more complicated areas of the life sciences, and recent studies on the long-term efficacy of the mRNA vaccines against Covid-19 are prime examples of just how complicated it can be.