Commission pursued merger challenge to halt pharma practices it believes can stifle competition and keep drug prices high. Other large biopharma transactions may face similar challenges as FTC pursues its new merger program.

Complaint marks first time agency has raised novel theories of competitive harm in pharma merger and is rare instance in which it has filed a complaint without a consent decree. Last time FTC has gone to court to block a pharma merger was in 2008.

Ventus Therapeutics raised a $140m series C while Endeavor Biomedicines brought in $101m in series B cash. Also, Twist Bioscience grossed $250m in a follow-on offering, BioMarin raised $110m when it sold a priority review voucher and Nuvectis, TC BioPharm launched IPOs. 

$47.5m partnership between the foundation and Broad researchers will mine genetic data for insights into disease mechanisms. MD Anderson, Nuvectis each unveil multiple new tie-ups.