Versant Ventures related stories
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VC-backed GLyPharma Therapeutic acquired by TherachonSwiss clinical-stage biotechnology company Therachon AG has acquired GLyPharma Therapeutic Inc, a Montréal-based developer of a drug for short bowel syndrome and other rare gastrointestinal diseases. Terms weren't disclosed. With the deal, Therachon acquires the rights to apraglutide, originally discovered by Ferring Pharmaceuticals and licensed to GLyPharma. Since its launch in 2012, GLyPharma has been backed by Canadian life sciences venture capital firm CTI Life Sciences Fund, Ferring and Fonds de solidarité FTQ. In August, Therachon raised a US$60 million financing led by Novo Holdings and joined by multiple other investors.
VC-backed Gritstone debuts IPOEmeryville, California-based Gritstone Oncology Inc, a developer of tumor-specific cancer immunotherapies, has raised about $100 million after pricing its IPO of over 6.6 million shares at $15 per share. The stock began trading September 28, 2018 on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "GRTS." Goldman Sachs, Cowen and Company LLC and Barclays Capital Inc are the lead underwriters. Gritstone Oncology’s pre-IPO backers included Versant Ventures, The Column Group, Clarus Funds, Frazier Healthcare Partners, RedMile, Casdin Capital, Lilly Asia Ventures, Trinitas Capital, GV, Alexandria Venture Investments and Bay City Capital.
- VC-backed BlueRock Therapeutics adds Kovacs to C-suite team
Toronto, New York and Cambridge, Massachusetts-based BlueRock Therapeutics LP, a cell therapy company, has appointed Shane Kovacs as both chief business and chief financial officer. Previously, he was managing director and head of biotechnology investment banking at RBC Capital Markets in New York. BlueRock was backed by Bayer AG and Versant Ventures.
- Versant Ventures to raise $500 mln for seventh healthcare fund
Versant Ventures is seeking to raise $500 million for its seventh fund, according to an SEC filing. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1750266/000175026618000001/xslFormDX01/primary_doc.xml The firm focuses on the healthcare sector.
- Coda Biotherapeutics picks up $19 mln Series A
South San Francisco-based Coda Biotherapeutics Inc, a developer of a chemogenetic gene therapy platform for the treatment of intractable diseases, has raised $19 million in Series A financing. MPM Capital and Versant Ventures were the lead investors.
- VC-backed Tempest Therapeutics recruits Laport as chief medical officer
Tempest Therapeutics Inc, a biotech company, has named Dr. Ginna Laport as chief medical officer. Previously, she was vice president of clinical development at Corvus Pharmaceuticals. Also, Tempest has promoted Dr. Alicia Levey to chief business officer. Tempest’s backers include Versant Ventures, F-Prime Capital, Quan Capital, Lilly Asia Ventures, Foresite Capital and Eight Roads Ventures.
- Therachon takes in $60 mln
Basel, Switzerland-based Therachon, a biotechnology company focused on rare diseases, has closed $60 million in financing. Novo Holdings led the round with participation from Cowen Healthcare Investments, Pfizer Ventures, Tekla Capital Management LLC, Versant Ventures, OrbiMed, Bpifrance and Inserm Transfert Initiative.
- VC-backed Crinetics Pharmaceuticals debuts IPO
San Diego-based Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, a drug developer focused on rare endocrine diseases and endocrine-related tumors, has raised $102 million for its IPO after pricing its 6 million shares at $17 per share. The stock began trading July 18, 2018 on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "CRNX." J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Leerink Partners LLC and Piper Jaffray & Co are the lead underwriters. Crinetics' pre-IPO backers include Versant Ventures, 5AM Ventures and Vivo Capital.
- Akero Therapeutics scores $65 mln Series A
Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Akero Therapeutics Inc, a biotechnology company focused on treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and other serious metabolic diseases, has raised $65 million in Series A financing. Apple Tree Partners, Atlas Venture, venBio Partners and Versant Ventures led the round.