Versant Ventures related stories
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VC-backed Flexion Therapeutics raises $65 mln for IPOFlexion Therapeutics debuted its IPO after having priced its offering of 5 million shares at $13 per share. The stock began trading Wednesday on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "FLXN." BMO Capital Markets and Wells Fargo Securities are the lead underwriters. Based in Burlington, Mass., Flexion is a pharmeceutical company developing treatments for musculoskeletal disorders. Its backers include Versant Ventures, Sofinnova Capital, Pfizer, 5AM Ventures and Novo.
- Mallinckrodt agrees to buy VC-backed Cadence Pharmaceuticals for $1.3 bln
Mallinckrodt plc has agreed to acquire Cadence Pharmaceuticals for $14 per share or approximately $1.3 billion. Deutsche Bank Securities is advising Mallinckrodt on the transaction while Lazard and Centerview Partners are advising Cadence Pharmaceuticals. Based in San Diego, Cadence is a biopharmaceutical company. Its backers include Domain Associates, Frazier Healthcare Ventures, Wellington Management, Versant Ventures, Bay City Capital and NEA.
- VC-backed Achaogen files for IPO
Achaogen has filed for an IPO. The number of shares to be offered and the pricing terms have yet to be set. Credit Suisse Securities and Cowen and Company are serving as lead underwriters. Based in South San Francisco, Achaogen is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Its backers include 5AM Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, Venrock, Versant Ventures, Frazier Healthcare Ventures, Domain Associates and Alta Partners.
- VC-backed Flexion files for IPO
Flexion Therapeutics has filed for an IPO. The number of shares that will be offered and the pricing terms have not yet been set. BMO Capital Markets and Well Fargo Securities are serving as lead underwriters. Based in Burlington, Mass., Flexion is a pharmeceutical company developing treatments for musculoskeletal disorders. Its backers include Versant Ventures, Sofinnova Capital, Pfizer, 5AM Ventures and Novo.
- Innovus Pharmaceuticals buys VC-backed Semprae Labs
Innovus Pharmaceuticals said Tuesday that it has acquired Semprae Laboratories. No financial terms were disclosed. Based in Saddle Brook, NJ, Semprae Laboratories is the maker of Zestra, a product designed to improve women's sex lives. Semprae's backers included Quaker Partners and Versant Ventures.
Versant Ventures sets up shop in Vancouver, invests in Inception 4U.S. life sciences-focused venture capital firm Versant Ventures has provided $10 million in Series A funding to a new company called Inception 4, which is focused on the development of drugs to treat retinal eye disease, including wet age-related macular degeneration. The deal was done in partnership with Bayer Healthcare, and will be managed by Versant's new Vancouver-based incubator Inception Sciences Canada. In another announcement http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1629653 Versant said it plans to establish similar operations in Montréal in 2014. Versant also recently formed /canada/2013/11/20/versants-blueline-bioscience-partners-celgene-advance-early-stage-biotech/ an incubator in Toronto, called Blueline Bioscience, which is collaborating with Celgene to launch new companies in areas such as oncology and inflammation. The firm said it is making a long-term commitment to Canada to translate scientific discoveries in academic institutions into early stage biotechnology enterprises.
- VC-backed Inogen files for $86.25 mln IPO - Fortune
According to Fortune http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2013/12/02/deals-of-the-day-3/ Inogen has filed for an $86.25 million IPO. The publication reported that the company will trade the stock on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "INGN." J.P. Morgan will serve as lead underwriter for the offering. Based in Goleta, Calif., Inogen is a maker of oxygen therapy equipment and services. It is backed by Novo AS, Versant Ventures, Arborteum Ventures, Avalon Ventures and Accuitive Medical Ventures.
Fund briefs Dec 1, 2013A summary of recent venture fundraising activity from FirstMart, Icon and others
- Blueline Bioscience partners with Celgene to advance early-stage life sciences
Blueline Bioscience, a Toronto-based biotech incubator launched earlier this year by U.S. venture capital firm Versant Ventures, has entered into a new partnership with Celgene Corp, a manufacturer of drug therapies for cancer and inflammatory disorders with headquarters in Summit, New Jersey. Under the terms of the collaboration, Celegene will have certain option rights with respect to early-stage life sciences companies launched by the incubator in such fields as oncology and inflammation. Versant Ventures recently established an office in Vancouver. Blueline Bioscience is located in the MaRS Discovery District.
- Immune Design closes $49 mln Series C funding round
Immune Design, a biotechnology company, has closed a $49 million Series C funding round, which includes an upfront investment of $32.5 million and the right of the investor syndicate to inject another $16.5 million as the program progresses. Financing was led by The Column Group, new investor Topspin Partners and existing investors Alta Partners, Versant Ventures, Osage Partners and ProQuest Investments. In addition, Sanofi-Genzyme BioVentures joined as a new investor.