UK life sciences sector leaders are pleased to have attracted Flagship Pioneering to invest in the country, as its CEO Noubar Afeyan emphasizes that its initial focus would be on early ‘experiments’ in innovation and cultural bridge-building.

The first-in-class, oral GPR35 agonist has shown preclinical promise as a potential treatment for gastrointestinal indications such as ulcerative colitis.

Private Company Edition: Revelation Partners amassed $608m, Bioluminescence Ventures emerged with $477m and Abingworth raised $356m for late-stage programs. In recent financings, MapLight closed a $225m series C round while Triveni launched with $92m and Gate garnered $60m in series A rounds.

With a commercial product ramping up in the US and EU and three Phase III candidates, Idorsia is burning through cash quickly and needs more remedies beyond its 475-person headcount reduction.