Weekly Roundup: The latest in first-in-class biotech and medtech
Hansa Biopharma announced the closing of €115 million licensing transaction with SERB Pharmaceuticals for Idefirix in Europe and MENA
Hansa Biopharma AB and SERB S.A. announced that the required regulatory approvals have been obtained and that the previously announced €115 million exclusive licensing transaction with SERB has closed.
The company also announced that Maria Törnsén, COO and President U.S., Hansa Biopharma, will participate in a fireside chat titled “Don’t Be So Sensitive – Bringing Kidneys to the Over-Sensitized” with Dr. Leonardo Riella, Massachusetts General Hospital, at the Wedbush PacGrow Renal Summit in Boston, at 1:10 PM EDT on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
Xeltis exceeds 50% enrolment in US Pivotal trial for aXess™, its vascular access device for haemodialysis
Xeltis, a leading developer of transformative implants that enable the natural creation of living and long-lasting vessels, announced that it has exceeded 50% enrolment in its US pivotal trial for aXess™, its vascular access device that transforms into a living vessel for reliable haemodialysis access in adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
CONNECTA Therapeutics and the Centre for Genomic Regulation announced it will present the first-in-class programme CTH120 for Fragile X syndrome at FENS Forum 2026
CONNECTA Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company pioneering first-in-class neuroplasticity modulators to address unmet medical needs in central nervous system (CNS) disorders, announced it will present a poster, together with the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), on CONNECTA’s lead, first-in-class programme, CTH120, at the FENS Forum 2026, taking place 6-10 July 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.
R1 Therapeutics establishes world-class Scientific Advisory Board to support advancement of AP306 in Chronic Kidney Disease
R1 Therapeutics, Inc (“R1”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of first-in-class therapies for patients with kidney disease, announced the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), comprising seven internationally renowned experts in the field of nephrology, chaired by Glenn Chertow, M.D. (Stanford University School of Medicine).
Poolbeg Pharma plc – POLB 001 patent granted in South Africa for the treatment or prevention of hypercytokinemia and severe influenza
Poolbeg Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a core focus on transforming the cancer immunotherapy field, announced it has received notification of the official decision to grant Poolbeg’s Immunomodulator II patent in South Africa, providing protection for POLB 001 for the prevention of hypercytokinaemia and severe influenza until December 2038.
📢 Hot topic
Read this week’s Hot Topic, exploring the breakthrough science and investor insights showcased at the BioBabraham Symposium on the 24th June.
The annual event brings together investors and innovators from across the life sciences spectrum, highlighting the exceptional scientific advances emerging from the Babraham Research Campus.
The Optimum team had a wonderful time attending, and our CEO, Mary Clark, moderated the closing panel on ‘Attracting investors in a turbulent market’.’’ Leading investors from Brandon Capital, Novo Holdings and Sofinnova Partners shared valuable insights on today’s market environment, sparking an engaging and thoughtful discussion to close out the day.
Explore event highlights in Vareen Outhonesack’s write-up here, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with the latest Hot Topics.
For more insights and photos from the BioBabraham Symposium, read Mike Scialom’s feature in Cambridge Independent here.
📺Optimum TV
In this latest episode in OptimumTV’s Thought Leaders series, Parker Moss explains how the Wellcome Trust’s Wellcome Leap R3Global programme is developing a global network of state-of-the-art ‘biofoundries’ – utilising a new technique called continuous flow chemistry – which is capable of making clinical-grade, lipid-encapsulated RNA from tiny quantities to near-industrial amounts.
Moss says the biofoundries will enable “seamless scale-up”, using the same technology to make either a milligram of RNA or tens of grams, and “dramatically” reduce the cost for academics, start-ups and biotechs who need small quantities of material for tests and trials, while also enabling rapid response to pandemic threats.
This is needed, says Moss, because interest in RNA-based therapeutics – to treat infectious diseases, cancer, immunology and other areas – is now “exploding”.
👥Industry events
On Helix – Cambridge | 9th Jul 2026
Next week, One Nucleus presents ON Helix – Disrupting Bio Innovation.
A one-day conference in Cambridge spotlighting and discussing the breakthrough technologies, policies and business models that are shaping the drug discovery and development landscape. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with the pioneers leading this next wave of disruptive innovation and ensure you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving space.
Optimum is a proud supporter of One Nucleus events and is happy to share an exclusive 10% F&F discount. Please get in touch if you would like to use this or connect with the team there!
Optimum’s 18th Annual Healthcare Investor Conference – London | 8th Oct 2026
Maximising Europe’s Potential – The theme of Optimum’s Annual Healthcare Investor Conference 2026.
The invitation only event takes place on Thursday 8th October and features leading speakers from the healthcare and investment communities. Register your interest in attending today: https://www.optimumcomms.com/irconference2026/
Follow us on LinkedIn to hear updates on speakers and panellists, as they are announced.
Plan ahead for Europe’s busiest week in healthcare 🌍
Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference & Life Sciences Week – London | 15–20th Nov 2026
Join the mailing list to receive the official networking event guide, produced by Catalyst Advisors and Optimum Strategic Communications in partnership with Jefferies.
🧩 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!
