Private Company Edition: Capstan and Engrail raised $175m and $157m, respectively, in series B venture capital rounds in addition to Madrigal’s $400m-plus launch and Clasp’s $150m series A. 

Restructuring Edition: Kronos restructured and cut 19% of its workforce in November and now will cut 21% of its remaining jobs. Also, Gritstone cut 40% of its workforce after missing out on an expected external funding payment and Kineta implemented a 64% workforce reduction.

Immuno-oncology will remain a major force at both FDA’s drugs and biologics centers, but watch for psychiatry and antibiotics to make some noise; rare pediatric diseases will remain prominent as the priority review voucher program heads into the sunset.

Biotech entrepreneurs tend to be an optimistic group, and there were many pockets of hope for 2024. However, the consensus remains that depressed valuations and paucity of fresh funds will continue to pose a challenge for the sector, and companies will need to prioritize carefully and work even harder to demonstrate and create value.