Houston biotech closes $11.4 million seed round: Diakonos Oncology said the money will fund operations into late 2025. A Phase 2 trial testing its dendritic cell vaccine program in glioblastoma is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. — Max Gelman
Tonix to collaborate with Bilthoven Biologicals on mpox vaccine: The single-dose vaccine, known as TNX-801, is a “live replicating, attenuated virus vaccine” in preclinical development for mpox and smallpox. It is based on horsepox, Tonix said. Financials of the deal and timing of human studies weren’t disclosed. — Max Gelman
Kyowa Kirin ends distribution of breast cancer drug: Kyowa announced Friday that it would end US distribution of 60 mg tablets of Fareston, a treatment for metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women with estrogen-receptor positive tumors. The company wrote that the change is part of its “focus on the discovery, development and delivery of novel therapies for patients.” — Katherine Lewin
Immorna Biotherapeutics scores Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant for RSV vaccine: The grant will go toward the development and marketing of JCXH-108, an RSV vaccine based on Immorna’s mRNA and lipid nanoparticle technology. According to the company, the vaccine has an enhanced shelf life, making it easier to transport, store and distribute, and increasing accessibility in low- and middle-income countries. — Katherine Lewin