Mersana will help J&J develop antibody-drug conjugates against three targets, while AstraZeneca out-licenses a candidate for peripheral artery disease to Regio.

Amicus announced its ambitions in gene therapy last year, recently purchased Celenex and 10 pipeline candidates, and now partners with Penn on gene therapies. Celltrion is collaborating with Emory in atherosclerosis therapies.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Dealmaking column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment – In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced in February 2017.

Instead of helping raise a Series A, the Teva chairman and others acquire the preclinical company, convinced of its synthetic nanotech promise in immuno-oncology. Vifor and ChemoCentryx expand their orphan and renal disease collaboration, while Gilead out-licenses an addiction drug candidate.