Nov. 16 Quick Takes: Simcere, Idorsia in China deal for insomnia drug

Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. (HKEX:2096) is paying Idorsia Ltd (SIX:IDIA) $30 million up front for rights in China, Hong Kong and Macau to insomnia treatment Quviviq daridorexant, a dual antagonist of OX1R and OX2R approved in the U.S. and EU. The companies’ deal includes a $20 million milestone upon the drug’s approval in China, as well as commercial milestones and royalties. Simcere’s marketed CNS portfolio includes Sanbexin edaravone/dexborneol for acute ischemic stroke.

Haystack Oncology Inc. is planning to commercialize its circulating tumor DNA-based liquid biopsy technology in 2023, fueled by a $56 million series A round led by co-founder Catalio Capital Management. The company’s other co-founders are Bert Vogelstein, Ken Kinzler, Nick Papadopoulos and Joshua Cohen of Johns Hopkins University, as well as CEO Dan Edelstein and CTO Frank Holtrup. Other investors include Bruker, Exact Ventures and Alexandria Venture Investments. ...