As results for KEYNOTE-042 are reported at ASCO, Merck's Roy Baynes says Keytruda plus chemotherapy is the standard of care in first-line non-small cell lung cancer, but Keytruda monotherapy is an option for those who don't tolerate chemo well and/or don't have very active disease.

Biscayne and Japanese CRO SNBL create spin-outs to advance programs; liver disease specialist Ascletis gains funds as it shifts away from HCV; Neon gets $100m to put into its cancer vaccines; and other highlights of recent VC funding.

The Baltimore university relies on an extensive infrastructure for tech transfer, and has a high volume of output to show for it. Recent tech transfer deals include Spark, Spotlight, Achilles, Biohaven, Cantabio and Renova, Zucara and Heat Biologics.

Biotech striving to hold on financially until it can deliver top-line data for bladder and lung cancer immunotherapy candidates, but then it will have to content with Roche entering the bladder cancer market with its PD-L1 inhibitor.