Moderna Therapeutics, a Cambridge, Mass.-based developer of a biotherapeutic platform that can stimulate the body’s natural ability to produce therapeutic proteins, has signed a strategic partnership with AstraZeneca (LSE: AZN) to developer and commercialize treatments for cardiovascular, metabolic, renal and oncological diseases. The deal includes a $240 million up-front cash payment, plus $180 million in technical milestone-based earnouts. Moderna recently raised more than $40 million in VC funding led by Flagship Ventures. www.modernatx.com
Pinterest has acquired mobile recommendation engine Livestar, with plans to shut down the startup’s service. No financial terms were disclosed. Pinterest shareholders include Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, FirstMark Capital, Rakuten and Valiant Capital Management. www.pinterest.com
Vivendi SA is considering spinning off its SFR telecom unit, which made up 40% of 2012 revenue, according to Bloomberg. www.vivendi.com
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