SNAPSHOT

Amgen strikes a $618M cancer drug development deal with Disco Pharma

Amgen has partnered with Germany’s Disco Pharma in a licensing deal worth up to $618 million to develop cancer therapies using Disco’s surfaceome-mapping technology.

Why it matters: This partnership validates Disco Pharma’s platform for identifying novel cancer targets and boosts its global profile, while giving Amgen access to promising new therapies in its oncology pipeline.

Backstory: Disco Pharma, a University of Cologne spinout, recently raised €36 million in funding. The startup specializes in identifying previously inaccessible cell-surface cancer targets using a blend of advanced proteomics and AI-driven protein network analysis.

Zoom in: Amgen gains global rights to therapies based on a new cancer target discovered via Disco’s tech. The $618M figure includes potential milestone payments and royalties; upfront payment details weren’t disclosed. Disco’s pipeline targets small cell lung cancer and microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer, both difficult-to-treat types.

Big picture: Amgen is being very busy this week dealing with European biotechs. Just two days ago, the American biopharma announced the acquisition of UK-based DarkBlue Therapeutics for $840M, in the hope of building its preclinical leukemia pipeline.

SNIPPETS

What’s happening in biotech today?

🎯 Cancer zapper: Rakuten Medical has secured $100 million in a Series F funding round to advance its light-activated cancer therapy ASP-1929 toward a planned FDA approval filing in 2028. Built on a photoimmunotherapy platform, the therapy uses antibody-dye conjugates activated by light to selectively destroy cancer cells and potentially trigger immune responses. ASP-1929, which targets EGFR, is in a global Phase 3 trial in combination with Keytruda for recurrent head and neck cancer. Success in this trial could validate Rakuten’s broader platform, which also includes early-stage candidates targeting CD25 and PD-L1.

 🍄 Fungus fighters: Basilea Pharmaceutica has entered a collaboration with U.S.-based Prokaryotics to develop a first-in-class broad-spectrum antifungal targeting invasive infections caused by Candida, Aspergillus, and rare molds. Under the agreement, Prokaryotics will lead early discovery efforts, and Basilea will assume responsibility once a candidate reaches clinical development. The deal includes an undisclosed upfront payment, with Prokaryotics eligible for up to $48.5 million in milestone payments and tiered royalties.

 🧬 AML ambitions: Soley Therapeutics has raised $200 million in a Series C round to advance its lead acute myeloid leukemia (AML) candidate into clinical development, with an IND filing planned for 2026. The San Francisco-based biotech uses an AI-driven cell stress sensing platform to analyze drug responses in human cells and design novel therapeutics. The funding will also support IND-enabling studies for a solid tumor asset, development of non-oncology candidates for neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, and continued scaling of its technology platform.

🇵🇱 Polish progress: Warsaw-based JJP Biologics has reported positive Phase I results for JJP-1212, a first-in-class anti-CD89 antagonist targeting IgA-mediated inflammatory diseases. The trial, conducted in healthy volunteers, met all primary endpoints, demonstrating a favorable safety profile, predictable pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic activity, with no dose-limiting toxicities and mild to moderate adverse events. JJP-1212 blocks the CD89 receptor to prevent IgA-induced immune activation, positioning it for a range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. A Phase II trial in Linear IgA Disease is already underway.

🩸 Hemoglobin hero: Hutchmed has announced a Phase 3 win for its Syk inhibitor sovleplenib in warm antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA), achieving the primary endpoint of a durable hemoglobin response between Weeks 5 and 24. The positive outcome positions the Hong Kong-based biotech to file for approval in China in the first half of 2026. Previously, sovleplenib’s development in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) was delayed due to quality issues, prompting chemistry and manufacturing work. While global development has paused, Hutchmed is considering outlicensing the program, potentially using a new Syk molecule with full patent life to support faster timelines and broader exclusivity.

SNAP AGAIN

GSK and Ionis' hepatitis B drug nearly gets the thumbs up after Phase 3 success

GSK and Ionis say their experimental hepatitis B treatment, bepirovirsen, achieved statistically significant results in two Phase 3 trials, clearing the path for regulatory filings.

Why it matters: The drug could offer a “functional cure” for chronic hepatitis B, a condition that affects nearly 300 million people worldwide and currently requires lifelong treatment.

Backstory: Ionis developed the RNA-based drug and licensed it to GSK in 2019. The therapy is designed as a six-month course to suppress the virus to undetectable levels, reducing or eliminating the need for daily antivirals.

Zoom in: Bepirovirsen met the primary endpoints in both B-Well 1 and B-Well 2 trials. Full results will be shared at an upcoming medical conference and in a journal. Ionis may receive up to $150M in milestones and 10–12% royalties on future sales.

Big picture: Bepirovirsen could disrupt the hepatitis B treatment landscape, tapping into a multibillion-dollar global market currently dominated by drugs like Gilead’s Vemlidy. Hepatitis B infections have declined in the U.S. thanks to infant vaccinations, but recent policy changes threaten that progress.

What's next: GSK and Ionis plan to submit global regulatory filings in Q1 2026, with approvals and market entry possible later this year.

SPEED READ

More news

• Poplar Therapeutics launched with $50M Series A funding to develop PHB-050, a next-generation anti-IgE antibody targeting severe atopic diseases, with Phase 1 data expected in 2H26.

• Pulmocide halted its phase 3 trial of inhaled antifungal opelconazole after interim data showed lower response rates and higher mortality versus placebo in severely immunocompromised patients.

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