1️⃣ Bayer bought an Eylea succession option
Bayer agreed to buy Perfuse Therapeutics for $300M upfront and up to $2.15B in milestones, taking full rights to PER-001, a phase 2 intravitreal endothelin receptor antagonist for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
💡 Why it matters
Bayer needs ophthalmology depth as Eylea ages. PER-001 is still midstage, but it gives the group a disease-modifying angle in two large retinal markets.
☕ Coffee talk
Is Bayer buying a phase 2 implant, or just buying time before Eylea gets noisier?
2️⃣ Cytokinetics widened Myqorzo’s market
Cytokinetics said ACACIA-HCM met both primary endpoints in symptomatic non-obstructive HCM, with aficamten improving KCCQ score and peak VO2 at week 36 versus placebo.
💡 Why it matters
Myqorzo is already launching in obstructive HCM. A clean nHCM readout could move the asset from first launch story to broader franchise test.
☕ Coffee talk
Does BMS still own the HCM benchmark if Cytokinetics is the one opening the non-obstructive side?
3️⃣ CellCentric bought independence through 2029
CellCentric raised a $220M Series D led by Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners to fund inobrodib through DOMMINO-1 and a global phase 3 DOMMINO-2 start in H2 2026.
💡 Why it matters
The round changes the negotiation posture. Inobrodib can now be pitched as an oral late-line myeloma asset with IPO optionality, not just a takeout candidate.
☕ Coffee talk
If CellCentric can fund the phase 3 itself, who now has to pay for control rather than rescue?