Weekly roundup: Deals, dollars and Dealmakers!

Novo Holdings participates in $372.5 million Series D financing of MapLight Therapeutics to advance differentiated CNS therapies

Novo Holdings announced its participation in a $372.5 million Series D financing of MapLight Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the lives of patients suffering from debilitating central nervous system (CNS) disorders. The funds will support the continued advancement of the Company’s lead program, ML-007C-MA, through Phase 2 clinical trials, as well as progress across its broader pipeline.

KKR announced the strategic acquisition of HealthCare Royalty Partners, expanding the firm’s health care franchise and enhancing its life sciences strategy

KKR & Co announced that it had acquired a majority ownership stake in HealthCare Royalty Partners (HCRx), a leading biopharma royalty acquisition company. This strategic partnership will enable KKR to enhance its capabilities in biopharma royalty and credit investing, while expanding the firm’s existing footprint in the life sciences ecosystem.

📺Optimum TV

In this week’s episode of Optimum TV, we spoke to biopharma legend Göran Ando about what he’d learnt during a career spanning almost half a century. He discusses his rise through the ranks of major firms, including Astra Zeneca, Pfizer and GSK, before chairing Novo Nordisk’s Board of Directors at a pivotal moment in its history. Listen below as Göran details his greatest success and failure, as well as his role as a mentor to flourishing CEOs.

🔥Hot topic

While nobody holds a crystal ball, there are mutterings that the long-awaited thaw for biotech has finally arrived – but will this optimism come to fruition? Read more in Stephen Adam’s analysis in Optimum’s latest hot topic ‘A very late biotech spring?’

👥Industry events

Optimum’s 17th Annual Healthcare Conference 

Returning to The King’s Fund this autumn, this prestigious invitation-only event brings together investors and executives from across the life sciences sector, register your interest in attending today.

📍Thursday 9th October, London

Sector moves

Keep up to date with the latest industry moves here.

That’s all folks!  To stay in the know – subscribe to Optimum’s weekly wrap-up today!