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Company

Merck

Coverage

Stories naming Merck. Where several outlets covered the same round, they are bundled under whichever ran the fullest account.

Funding announcement

Professor got nothing from the $2.8b sale of his molecule, and that's okay

Profile of scientist-entrepreneur Andrew Wilks covering the GSK sale of his cancer molecule, his SYNthesis BioVentures fund's family-office backers, and portfolio plays including Aculeus Therapeutics.

4 deals

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Manufacturing roundup: Australian Vanadium and entX land government grants, Hexagon Energy Materials completes a $1 million round, Australian Dairy Nutritionals appoints a CEO, Aurora Labs adds a director, plus vessel, export and research briefs.

Fund close $30m

Andrew Wilks in Weekend Australian

Profile of scientist-entrepreneur Andrew Wilks tracing his path from cancer research to founding drug developer Cytopia and launching SYNthesis BioVentures, a therapeutics fund that recently secured $30 million from wealthy individuals and family offices.

Fund close $20m

Scientist behind Australia’s highest-priced molecule reveals how to profit from early stage biotechs

Biotech scientist Andrew Wilks launches fund SYNthesis BioVentures, which has gathered $20m and aims for $75m; his group has backed two biotech startups and he earlier sold a chemistry business to Viva Biotech.

Also Forbes Australia

9 deals

Six Aussie startups that raised $34.2 million this week

Weekly roundup covering six startup raises: ImmVirX, Nutromics, Nuheara, Autism 360, Cogo and Gather, plus Nutromics' 30X30 selection, a board appointment and Viralytics' earlier sale to Merck.

4 deals

Vedi and GeoMoby each raise $3M

Two Perth startups have each secured $3 million. GeoMoby drew mostly French backers plus Agreement Hub and a METS Ignited grant; Vedi raised mainly from MSD Animal Health, with Companion Fund also taking part.

Unnamed stage $34m

Needle-free vaccine innovator banks $34m

A OneVentures post reports a needle-free vaccine developer raising A$34 million; linked items on the page note Eucalyptus's $1.6 billion sale to a US-listed healthcare firm and Vaxxas naming David Peacock chief executive.

Also Blackbird Ventures portfolio·Startup Daily·SmartCompany·Dealroom·SmartCompany·Startup Daily·AFR Technology·Dealroom·Forbes Australia

Funding announcement

First Aussies to get needle-free COVID-19 vaccine patch

Vaxxas has begun a phase one trial in Australia of its needle-free COVID-19 vaccine patch. The Brisbane company, backed by OneVentures, Brandon Capital and others, has hired Scott Fry from Ellume as COO.

News

First Aussies to get needle-free COVID-19 vaccine patch

Brisbane biotech Vaxxas has begun human testing of its microneedle patch for COVID-19 vaccination and plans a phase two study; the venture-backed company has raised over $66 million.

Key hire

George Medicines appoints Stefan König as Chief Executive Officer

Drug developer George Medicines has named Stefan König, previously a senior Takeda executive, as its chief executive, while chief business officer Karl Roberts moves into the chief operating officer role.

Key hire

George Medicines appoints Stefan König as Chief Executive Officer

George Medicines has named Stefan König, previously a Takeda franchise head, as its new CEO, while Karl Roberts moves from Chief Business Officer to Chief Operating Officer. The company also announced US FDA clearance to begin Phase III trials of GMRx2.

Grant $30.6m

Vaxxas Announces US$22 Million (A$30.6 Million) Award from U.S. Government to Advance Vaxxas Needle-Free HD-MAP™ Vaccine Patch Technology for Pandemic Response

Vaxxas has received a US$22 million (A$30.6 million) US government BARDA award to advance its needle-free vaccine patch for pandemic use; earlier financing led by OneVentures with Brandon Capital is recalled.

Grant $30.6m

Vaxxas Announces US$22 Million (A$30.6 Million) Award from U.S. Government to Advance Vaxxas Needle-Free HD-MAP™ Vaccine Patch Technology for Pandemic Response

Biotech Vaxxas has won a US government award via BARDA worth US$22 million to advance its needle-free vaccine patch for pandemic influenza; the piece recalls founding backing from OneVentures, Brandon Capital, MRCF and HealthCare Ventures.

Exit / M&A

Blade Therapeutics Appoints Accomplished Biopharmaceutical Executive, Mark Timney, as Chairman of the Board

Blade Therapeutics appoints Mark Timney as board chairman, succeeding co-founder Luke Evnin; the release recalls its roughly $90 million raised from investors including OneVentures and The Medicines Company's $9.7 billion sale to Novartis.

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