Pharma dealmaking and pipeline discipline defined the session, as a major depression-drug acquisition sat alongside a large-cap trial setback and a small-cap RNA developer reaffirming its funding runway. The contrast was stark: one company expanding into psychiatric drug development through acquisition, another cutting a late-stage cough programme after mixed data, and a third simply reassuring holders that its cash position holds through the next data readout.
Lilly to buy AtaiBeckley depression asset from trust
Eli Lilly (LLY) is set to acquire AtaiBeckley, a psychiatric drug developer whose lead depression treatment is already in Phase 3 testing. The target represents a stake worth 1.1% of Biotech Growth Trust's net asset value, giving a read on the deal's scale relative to the wider psychiatric drug sector. Lilly shares stood at 1173.995p, up 0.32%, as the acquisition extended the group's push into neuropsychiatric drug development alongside its existing metabolic and oncology franchises.
GSK halts camlipixant after failed cough trial
GSK (GSK) will stop further development of camlipixant, its refractory chronic cough candidate, after one of two pivotal Phase 3 trials failed to meet its primary endpoint. The mixed results end a programme that had been positioned as a potential new treatment option for patients with persistent, hard-to-treat cough. GSK shares fell to 1916.5p, down 2.019%, as the setback removed a late-stage respiratory asset from the group's pipeline.
Thalia points to secured funding ahead of miRisten data
Thalia Therapeutics (THAT) told its AGM that funding is secured across its portfolio, with topline Phase 1 data for miRisten due in the first half of 2027. The RNA therapeutics developer, trading at 0.65p, also flagged integration of its Sanmirna platform as a near-term milestone, giving investors a clearer timeline for the next major catalyst. Solomon set out the update as the company works through its clinical pipeline toward the 2027 readout.
