Global Briefs: BMS, BI, Lilly, Merck KGaA & More
A roundup of news from BMS/Orbital Therapeutics, Novo Nordisk/Omeros, BioNTech, BI/AimedBioBI/Accent Therapeutics, Merck KGaA/Siemens, Zenas BioPharma/InnoCare Pharma, Viatris/Aculys Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company and Ferring Pharmaceuticals. Highlights below.
Mfg News
* BioNTech Receives $113 M in Funding for mRNA Vaccine Facility Expansion
M&A News
* BMS To Acquire Orbital Therapeutics for $1.5 Bn
* BI To Acquire ADC from AimedBio in $1-Bn Deal
* BI Acquires Preclinical Small-Molecule Oncology Drug Candidate from Accent Therapeutics
* Viatris Acquires Aculys Pharma
Partnering News
* Novo Nordisk, Omeros in $2.4-Bn Licensing Deal for mAb Rare-Disease Drug Candidate
* Merck KGaA, Siemens Sign MoU for AI Pact in Drug Discovery, Development & Mfg
* Zenas BioPharma, InnoCare Pharma in $2-Bn Deal for MS Drug Candidates
General
* Lilly Opens Newest Gateway Lab Site in San Diego
* Ferring Pharmaceuticals To Cut 500 Jobs in Restructuring
Mfg News
BioNTech Receives $113 M in Funding for mRNA Vaccine Facility Expansion
BioNTech, a Mainz, Germany-based bio/pharmaceutical company, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission have entered an agreement to advance a mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Kigali, Rwanda.
To support this project, BioNTech has been awarded a blended financing option of up to EUR 95 million ($113 million), which includes a EUR 35 million ($43 million) commission grant and the possibility to take out a loan of up to EUR 60 million ($70 million) from the EIB.
The facility is designed to produce mRNA vaccines for diseases of concern in Africa, such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and mpox, for products successfully developed and approved. The facility will use BioNTech’s “BioNTainers,” modular units that can quickly be set up and adapted to produce different mRNA vaccines.
Source: European Investment Bank
M&A News
BMS To Acquire Orbital Therapeutics for $1.5 Bn
Bristol Myers Squibb has agreed to acquire Orbital Therapeutics, a privately held bio/pharmaceutical company developing RNA medicines that reprogram the immune system in vivo, for $1.5 billion.
The acquisition includes Orbital’s lead RNA immunotherapy preclinical candidate, OTX-201, currently in investigational new drug-enabling studies. OTX-201 comprises an optimized circular RNA encoding a CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) for in vivo expression delivered via targeted lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). This in vivo approach, in which the patient’s own body serves as the manufacturer of CAR T-cells, has the potential to offer a reduced treatment burden and improved accessibility compared to ex vivo CAR T-cell therapies, according to information from Orbital Therapeutics. Additionally, BMS will acquire Orbital’s proprietary RNA platform, which integrates circular and linear RNA engineering, advanced LNP delivery, and AI-driven design to enable durable, programmable RNA therapies.
Under the agreement, BMS will pay $1.5 billion in cash at closing to acquire Orbital. The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including expiration of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.
Source: Orbital Therapeutics
BI To Acquire ADC from AimedBio in $1-Bn Deal
Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) and AimedBio, a bio/pharmaceutical company specializing in antibody-based therapeutics, have entered an agreement to develop an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapy for a broad range of cancers, in a deal worth up to $991 million.
The ADC developed by AimedBio targets a protein that is highly expressed across a broad spectrum of cancers, minimally present in normal tissues, and plays a significant role in tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Founded in 2018 as a spin-off from Samsung Medical Center, AimedBio is a partnered clinical-stage bio/pharmaceutical company advancing an out-licensed ADC currently in a clinical trial. The company specializes in ADCs and antibody-based cancer therapies.
Under the agreement, AimedBio is entitled to receive up to $991 million in total, including an upfront payment, development and regulatory milestones, and commercial milestones, as well as separate royalty payments on net sales.
Source: Boehringer Ingelheim
BI Acquires Preclinical Small-Molecule Oncology Drug Candidate from Accent Therapeutics
Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) has acquired a preclinical small-molecule program from Accent Therapeutics, a clinical-stage bio/pharmaceutical company. The asset offers a new strategy for treating tumors with high interferon-stimulated gene expression and will be an addition to BI’s portfolio of cancer cell–directed and immuno-oncology therapies.
Under the agreement, Accent Therapeutics will receive an upfront payment and is entitled to success-based preclinical milestone payments. BI will assume global responsibility for research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the program and advance it toward clinical evaluation.
Source: Accent Therapeutics
Viatris Acquires Aculys Pharma
Viatris has acquired Aculys Pharma, a clinical-stage bio/pharmaceutical company focused on neurological conditions. With the acquisition, Viatris received rights to develop and commercialize pitolisant and Spydia (diazepam), two assets in the central nervous system therapy area.
As part of the transaction, Viatris acquired exclusive development and commercialization rights in Japan for pitolisant, a selective/inverse agonist of the histamine H3 receptor. Based on the strength of recent Phase III clinical trial results in Japanese patients and the positive benefit-risk profile established globally, Viatris is on track to file for marketing approval from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness or cataplexy (sudden, brief muscular weakness) in patients with narcolepsy and for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome by the end of 2025.
The transaction also includes exclusive rights in Japan and certain other markets in the Asia-Pacific region for Spydia Nasal Spray, which was approved in Japan in June 2025 for the treatment of status epilepticus, a condition marked by prolonged seizures.
Source: Viatris
Partnering News
Novo Nordisk, Omeros in $2.4-Bn Licensing Deal for mAb Rare-Disease Drug Candidate
Novo Nordisk and Omeros, a Seattle, Washington-based bio/pharmaceutical company, have entered into a definitive asset purchase and license agreement for Omeros’ drug candidate, zaltenibart, in clinical development for rare blood and kidney disorders, in a deal worth up to $2.4 billion ($340 million upfront and $2.1 billion in milestone payments).
Zaltenibart is an antibody designed to inhibit MASP-3, a protein that acts as a key activator of the complement system’s alternative pathway. Dysregulation of the complement system, a crucial part of the immune system, has been shown to be involved in the pathophysiology of a number of rare diseases, according to the companies.
Omeros retains certain rights to its preclinical MASP-3 programs unrelated to zaltenibart, including the ability to develop and commercialize small-molecule MASP-3 inhibitors with limited indication restrictions.
Following closing of the transaction, Novo Nordisk aims to initiate a global Phase III program for zaltenibart in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, a rare-blood disease, and explore further development in a range of other rare blood and kidney disorders.
Under the agreement, Novo Nordisk will be granted exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize zaltenibart in all indications. Omeros is eligible to receive $340 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments, up to a total of $2.1 billion, including potential development and commercial milestones, plus tiered royalties on net sales.
Source: Novo Nordisk
Merck KGaA, Siemens Sign MoU for AI Pact in Drug Discovery, Development & Mfg
Merck KGaA and Siemens, a technology company, have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) focused on delivering integrated software solutions, systems and consumables that use automation, data, and artificial intelligence to connect drug discovery, development, and manufacturing. The agreement marks the first joint use of technology acquired by Siemens as part of its $5.1-billion acquisition of Dotmatics, a Boston-based provider of life science R&D software, which was completed in July 2025.
The collaboration will focus on digital-first solutions that close workflow gaps in drug discovery and biomanufacturing by integrating the company’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) products with Siemens’ digital ecosystem. Initial pilot projects include making the company’s AI tools and digital applications available in Luma, Siemens’ Dotmatics Scientific Intelligence Platform that was acquired as part of Dotmatics. This gives scientists a single environment that links product ordering with access to the digital tools and insights they need to make faster, data-driven decisions. Building on these projects, Siemens and Merck KGaA will pursue new joint projects and explore deeper integration over time. These initiatives include co-developing smarter data-management tools and intuitive interfaces that make advanced processes easier for scientists to use. The partnership is also evaluating digital marketplaces that would give customers streamlined access to complementary technologies and services.
Source: Merck KGaA
Zenas BioPharma, InnoCare Pharma $2-Bn Deal for MS Drug Candidates
Zenas BioPharma, a Waltham, Massachusetts-based bio/pharmaceutical company, and InnoCare Pharma, a Beijing-based bio/pharmaceutical company, have entered an agreement, granting Zenas global development and commercialization rights to orelabrutinib for multiple sclerosis (MS) and across all therapeutic areas other than oncology, in a deal worth up to $2 billion ($100 million upfront and $1.9 billion in milestone payments).
Orelabrutinib is an oral, small molecule BTK inhibitor with the potential to address compartmentalized inflammation and disease progression in MS. A global, Phase III trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of orelabrutinib dosed 80 mg once daily in patients with primary progressive MS has been initiated. Zenas plans to initiate a second global, Phase III trial evaluating orelabrutinib in patients with secondary progressive MS in the first quarter of 2026.
In addition, Zenas also secured rights to an oral, IL-17AA/AF inhibitor and an oral, brain-penetrant TYK2 inhibitor.
Under the agreement, Zenas will pay InnoCare upfront and near-term milestone payments of up to $100 million in cash, including milestone achievements expected in 2026, and up to 7 million shares of Zenas common stock, including shares issuable upon a milestone expected to be achieved in early 2026. The total of the upfront payment, near-term milestone,and potential development and regulatory milestone payments, along with potential commercial sales achievement milestone payments for all three programs, exceeds $2 billion. In addition, InnoCare is entitled to receive tiered royalties of up to high-teen percentages on annual net sales of the licensed products.
Zenas will have the exclusive right to develop, manufacture, and commercialize orelabrutinib in the field of MS globally, and non-oncology fields in all territories outside Greater China and Southeast Asia. InnoCare retains full global rights in the field of oncology. Zenas will also have the exclusive right to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the oral, IL-17AA/AF inhibitor in all territories outside Greater China and Southeast Asia, and the oral, brain-penetrant TYK2 inhibitor globally.
Source: Zenas BioPharma and InnoCare Pharma
General
Lilly Opens Newest Gateway Lab Site in San Diego
Eli Lilly and Company has announced the official opening in San Diego, California, of its newest Lilly Gateway Labs (LGL), a network of shared innovation hubs designed to support early-stage biotechnology companies by providing lab space and opportunities to collaborate with Lilly scientists.
The new facility, developed by and operated in partnership with Alexandria Real Estate Equities, features 82,514 square feet of flexibly designed laboratory and office space to accommodate up to 15 life-sciences companies and more than 250 employees of LGL-based companies.
Lilly Gateway Labs offers start-ups access to wet-lab facilities, along with tailored scientific engagement and strategic guidance, to help navigate the complexities of drug discovery and development. LGL San Diego is Lilly’s fourth US Gateway Labs site, joining two locations in South San Francisco and one in Boston. The model is also expanding globally, with a newly opened LGL site in Beijing.
Source: Eli Lilly and Company
Ferring Pharmaceuticals To Cut 500 Jobs in Restructuring
Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a Saint-Prex, Switzerland-based bio/pharmaceutical company, has announced a restructuring plan, under which Ferring has informed employees in relevant locations of proposals leading to an expected reduction of up to 500 roles globally.
Ferring is undertaking a company-wide initiative designed to sharpen strategic focus, improve cost efficiencies, flexibility, and free up resources for reinvestment in innovation. These proposed changes include potential geographic relocations of some roles to better reflect strategic priorities. Subject to local consultation, where required, some roles could change while other capabilities may no longer be required.
Source: Ferring Pharmaceuticals
