Weekly roundup: Awards, events, financings and 2 new episodes of Optimum TV

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R1 Therapeutics launches with oversubscribed $77.5 million Series A financing to advance first-in-class treatment for hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease

R1 Therapeutics, Inc, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of first-in-class therapies for patients with kidney disease, announced its launch with an oversubscribed $77.5 million Series A financing, along with the exclusive global license to develop and commercialize AP306 outside of Greater China from China-based Alebund Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (“Alebund”). The financing was co-led by Abingworth, F-Prime, and DaVita Venture Group, part of DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), with participation from Curie.Bio, SymBiosis, and U.S. Renal Care.

Mestag Therapeutics Announced a $40 Million Financing and Appointed Chief Medical Officer and Chief Development Officer in Preparation to Enter the Clinic

Mestag Therapeutics, a biotech company harnessing fibroblast immunology to develop impactful treatments for patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases, announced the closing of a $40 million financing supported by leading life science investors SV Health Investors, Johnson & Johnson, through its corporate venture capital organization, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc., Forbion, GV (Google Ventures) and Northpond Ventures. The company also announced the appointment of Lindsey Rolfe, BSc, MBChB, MRCP, FFPM, as Chief Medical Officer and Pascal Merchiers, PhD, as Chief Development Officer.

Atrogi announces first subjects dosed in human trial for lead candidate ATR-258

Atrogi AB, a clinical stage biotech company pioneering novel GPCR pathway-signalling modulators to transform metabolic and muscle health, announced that the first subjects have been dosed in a human trial for its lead candidate, ATR-258, evaluating the muscle physiological effects of its highly selective GRK-targeted β2-adrenergic signalling pathway.

Outrun Therapeutics unveils lead programme targeting HPV positive head and neck cancer and appoints renowned E3 ligase experts to Scientific Advisory Board

Outrun Therapeutics, a biotech developing protein stabilising therapeutics identified by its proprietary XL discovery platform, announced the selection of its lead programme for the treatment of HPV positive head and neck cancer. It also announced the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board comprising world-class experts in E3 ligase biology and head and neck cancer.

BOOST Pharma appoints leading biopharma leader Elaine Jones as Chair

BOOST Pharma, a clinical‑stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, first‑in‑class off-the-shelf cell therapies for rare, debilitating paediatric skeletal diseases, has appointed highly respected industry leader Elaine Jones, PhD, as Chair of its Board of Directors. Elaine succeeds Ingelise Saunders, who will remain on the Board.

Oncoinvent secures new patent expanding protection for Radspherin®

Oncoinvent (OSE: ONCIN), a biotech company developing a receptor-independent alpha radiopharmaceutical to eradicate cancer cells in the abdominal cavity after surgery with a single, targeted dose, announced that the China National Intellectual Property Administration granted a new patent for Radspherin®, the Company’s lead product candidate, marking the first approval worldwide within this patent family.

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc: Unaudited preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2025

Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc (AIM: AMS), a world-leading specialist in tissue-healing technologies, announced its unaudited preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2025. Group revenue increased by 29% to £228.9 million, with strong organic growth across core categories and the first full-year contribution from Peters Surgical.

Hansa Biopharma presenting at Redeye Theme Event: Commercialization in Life Science

Hansa Biopharma AB, announced that Maria Törnsén, COO and President U.S., Hansa Biopharma, will be presenting at Redeye Theme Event: Commercialization in Life Science in Stockholm, at 10:15 AM CET on Friday 20 March, 2026. Hansa Biopharma VP Global Corporate Affairs Kerstin Falck will also be attending the event.

📺Optimum TV

Early diagnosis of diseases of vital organs, such as the liver, kidneys, and heart, can be very tricky. Often, things have already gone very wrong below the surface, before any obvious symptoms emerge.

Watch our 64th episode of Optimum TV, featuring Florian Voss, CEO of numares Health, who explains how the German-based firm is at the cutting edge of using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging to identify new biomarkers, and “constellations” of biomarkers, to spot such diseases earlier.

The Babraham Research Campus, five miles south-east of Cambridge, now hosts more than 60 life science companies from tiny start-ups to firms with over 150 staff.

In this brand-new episode of OptimumTV, Babraham’s Dr Louise Jopling explains its history and purpose, its relationship with the University of Cambridge, and flags its quarterly open days.

👥Industry events

One Nucleus Awards

Congratulations to our clients, Resolution Therapeutics and Sofinnova Partners  which were shortlisted at the One Nucleus Awards for Best Therapeutic R&D Programme of the Year and Best Growth Investor of the Year, respectively.

We’re delighted to share that Resolution Therapeutics went on to win its category – a fantastic recognition of its pioneering work and continued momentum in advanced cell therapy. Well done to all the teams involved!

The awards dinner took place last night at the prestigious No.11 Cavendish Square, where members of the Optimum team were in attendance to celebrate the incredible innovation and talent driving our industry forward!

LSX World Congress Europe

From 25th – 26th March, LSX World Congress Europe arrives in Lisbon. A leading life science fundraising and investment event, bringing early-stage innovators and investors together through strategic 1:1 meetings and targeted networking.

Be sure to connect with Optimum’s CEO Mary Clark, as she will be taking to the stage for the morning keynote address: ‘Investment, Innovation, and Influence: Reimagining Europe’s Role in Global Life Sciences’.

Anglonordic Life Sciences Conference XXII

With over 100+ active life science investors already registered, join us on the 23rd of April in London for the unique opportunity to connect with decision makers in an intimate setting, and at a fraction of the cost of larger conferences.

Register today at anglonordiclifescience.com/page/registration

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