Contrasting first-quarter preannouncements from a DNA sequencing company and a molecular diagnostics company may, with other seasonal pressures, imply a comparatively weak first quarter for therapeutic drug companies.

The Swiss major, which is already signed up to help produce Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, is offering its services to CureVac to produce its mRNA vaccine.

Plus deals involving Helixmith/Wacker, Sosei Heptares/Metrion, Ono/Ribon, Asahi Kasei/Lilly, Citrine/Diurnal, Mitsubishi Tanabe/Aquestive, Immunotech/T-Cure, TRIGR/Elpiscience, Daiichi Sankyo/ViGeneron

Immuno-oncology has significant diagnostic needs including identifying patients most likely to respond to therapies. Current diagnostic approaches often fall short, due in large part to the complexity of the biology driving therapy responsiveness. As such, the biopharma industry is exploring many emerging approaches covering tumor, immune and even microbiome-related pathways and biomarkers.