Early signs of improved safety and efficacy should set up PARP1 inhibitor for potential combinations and future broader use, but the true extent of its benefits remain to be seen.

Companies making blood-based cancer screening tests face a number of barriers to full market entry but getting a foothold of any kind can be the start of a path towards greater ultimate uptake.

The XinThera deal gives Gilead multiple PARP1 and MK2 inhibitors. Also, Roche licenses a HER2 kinase inhibitor from Zion, Amgen partners with TScan in Crohn’s disease and Baxter sells the last of its biopharma operations – a CDMO business – for $4.5bn.

At Digestive Disease Week, Celltrion will seek to strengthen its hold on the IBD market, Ironwood hopes to expand Linzess into pediatric functional constipation, and competitors will showcase competing short bowel syndrome treatment and colorectal cancer companion diagnostics.