Harpoon said it plans to complete the Phase I study of its anti-BCMA immuno-oncology agent HPN217 and use the data to support the next phase of development for the drug.

Public Company Edition: Acrivon launched the 20^th biopharma IPO in the US for 2022. Also, Q3 updates reveal job cuts at Tricida, Harpoon, Neoleukin and more; APIM Therapeutics will reverse merge with Nordic Nanovector; plus other follow-on offerings, royalty deals and a sale-leaseback. 

Many gene therapies companies have faced R&D and financial problems this year but the longer term potential of the field and low prices might tempt big pharma into deals.

News and views from day two of the BIO annual meeting include reflections on the ups and downs of the financing environment, Cerevance CEO Craig Thomson on the challenges of raising VC funds right now, and Bayer business development exec Marianne de Backer explains that it's not a good strategy to buy things just because they are on sale.