Vir Biotechnology Inc. launched just 11 months ago, but has already amassed a $500 million war chest to battle infectious disease. It spent some of the money this month on potential billion-dollar strategic alliances with Visterra Inc. (development of up to six antibodies derived from Visterra's Hierotope platform) and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc.(evaluation of up to five RNAi therapeutics.) [See Deal][See Deal] Also in October, Vir forged research agreements with Harvard University, Oregon Health & Science University and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center,licensed technology from Stanford University, and acquired Swiss biotech Humabs BioMed SA for good measure.
CNS rare disease specialist Harmony Biosciences LLC raised $270 million in early-stage equity financing and will use part of...