Korea's GNT Pharma is set to take its first-in-class, multi-targeted stroke therapy Nelonemdaz into Phase III, raising hopes for a new treatment that could sharply reduce disabilities and death in stroke patients. 

Also, deals involving AbCellera/Angios, AstraZeneca/Alchemab, Kowa/Esteve, OSE/Veloxis, Tris/Park, Core One/Akome and Vertex/Obsidian.

Just one year ago, biotechs were queuing up to list in Hong Kong following a relaxation of rules, but now many are postponing plans or simply shifting away, impacted by the market's low valuations, fast-changing environment and surprisingly strong competition from a new Shanghai trading section.  

Compass raises $132m in Series A as it moves from screening to the clinic, and start-up HotSpot Therapeutics comes out of stealth mode with a $45m Series A financing co-led by Atlas Venture and Sofinnova Partners.