More big biotech deals on the docket this week. First, Merck KGaA is buying Bio-Techne for $11.3 billion to expand its presence in high-growth life science markets. We dive into the details of this deal and then turn our attention to a $2.5 million collaboration to use artificial intelligence to find drug candidates for neuroimmune disorders. That deal involves Insilico Medicine and SK Biopharmaceuticals. Still on the theme of AI, we discuss Anthropic’s Claude Science, the latest entrant to the growing ecosystem of tech platforms specialized for biology, and a set of models for antibiotic design and vaccine target prediction. Lastly, we dig into two recent publications that discuss vaccines for Nipah virus and one of its relatives, and for treating schistosomiasis.
Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:
Merck KGaA to Acquire Bio-Techne for $11.3B, Expanding Life Science Tools Presence
By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 25, 2026
Insilico, SK Launch Up-to-$2.5B Neuroimmune AI Drug Collaboration
By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, June 28, 2026
Claude Science Is Here, Antibiotics Designed by Text Prompt Among Applications
By Fay Lin, PhD, GEN Edge, June 30, 2026
Schistosomiasis Vaccine Shows Strong Immune Memory in Early Clinical Trials
GEN, June 29, 2026
Nipah and Hendra Viruses: Antibody Cocktail Provides Complete Protection in Hamster Model
GEN, June 26, 2026
Hosted by Corinna Singleman, PhD
Hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD
