Gene therapy biotech Kriya Therapeutics is continuing its acquisition streak to build out a pipeline, this time with a focus on the brain. The North Carolina-based biotech is buying Redpin Therapeutics to expand, acquiring treatments for epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia. There were no dollar figures included in Wednesday’s deal announcement and a press contact for Kriya said financial details weren’t being disclosed. 

Rafael Holdings is laying off staff and giving up on early-stage R&D efforts that were touted as the company’s main focus less than a year ago, as it pivots to seeking out investment, acquisition or in-licensing opportunities.

Scientists have identified an enzyme that, when inhibited, could curtail the spread of medulloblastoma and limit the need for chemo and radiation.

Illumina has begun to lay off about 5% of its global workforce spanning more than 9,100 people, a move the DNA sequencing giant described as “proactively realigning” its core operations in the face of broader macroeconomic difficulties.

Five key COVID-19 drugs including Merck’s antiviral Lagevrio and AstraZeneca’s Evusheld could be rejected for government funding in the U.K. In draft guidance, the drug cost watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), recommended against government coverage because of concerns about either their cost or effectiveness. Gilead’s Veklury, Regeneron’s Ronapreve and GSK-Vir Biotechnology’s Xevudy also made their list.

LAS VEGAS—Google Cloud and Epic, one of the largest medical records software companies in the U.S., inked a deal to enable hospital customers to run their Epic workloads on the tech giant's cloud technology.

For the second time this year, Pear Therapeutics is laying off employees to cut costs and extend its cash runway through 2023.