Alphabet's Verily Life Sciences intends to increase its exposure to European biotech by joining Novartis and the European Investment Fund as cornerstone investors in Medicxi Growth 1 (MG1), a $300m fund launched by VC firm Medicxi to focus on late-stage private life science companies.

The UK's main reimbursement bodies made a series of decisions this week that were broadly favorable and largely focused on oncology medicines.

While troubled Valeant was divesting iNova to private equity investors, Novartis announced a pair of oncology-focused deals, out-licensing a brain cancer drug to Midatech and partnering with IBM Watson Health to optimize breast cancer treatment.