> Destiny Pharma filed for an IPO on London’s AIM. The antimicrobial biotech hired a CEO with IPO experience in April. And has now tapped into that experience to put together an offering to fund its lead candidate up to the start of a pivotal phase 3 program. Statement
> Merck Ventures invested in Macrophage Pharma. The VC offshoot of Merck KGaA added to the £9 million Macrophage raised from investors including Novo Holdings A/S in January. Fueled by the additional cash, Macrophage is now aiming to wrap up a clinical trial using the series A, an advance on its earlier aspiration to get to the end of preclinical development. Release
> Orchard Therapeutics’ gene therapy picked up a promising innovative medicine designation in the United Kingdom. The status is the first step on a pathway that could result in patients in the U.K. gaining early access to the treatment for “bubble boy” disease. Statement
> Ablynx put partnering plans for vobarilizumab on hold. AbbVie turned down the chance to license the phase 3-ready rheumatoid arthritis drug last year, prompting Ablynx to start looking for a new partner. Now, Ablynx has put the search on ice until after it posts data on the drug in systemic lupus erythematosus in the first half of next year. Release
> Boehringer Ingelheim began a phase 2a NASH trial. Statement
> AC Immune talked up new additions to its preclinical neurodegenerative pipeline. Release