Tocagen Inc., a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, has appointed Lori Kunkel to its board of directors. With more than 20 years' experience in oncology and immunology drug development, Kunkel is currently on the board of Loxo Oncology. Prior to this, she was chief medical officer of Pharmacyclics (acquired by AbbVie) and Proteolix Inc (acquired by Onyx Pharmaceuticals). She was also vice-president of clinical development at Xencor, Inc.

The duo behind Yumanity brings to it multiple successes measured by basic science discoveries, new drugs for patients, and billions made for investors. Can they do it again with their novel approach for discovering neurodegenerative disease drugs?

The beginnings of ominous signs are appearing in the flourishing biotech IPO market. Plus news on recent financings by Foundation Medicine, Arvinas, Moderna Therapeutics and Frazier Healthcare.

The biotech, Arvinas, will pursue therapies that degrade proteins, a process that could lead to therapeutic approaches to targets previously thought to be undruggable. The $15 million in venture funding is augmented by $3.5 million from the state of Connecticut.