North America

Laurent raises VC financing to advance cystic fibrosis drug

Montréal-based biopharmaceutical company Laurent Pharmaceuticals Inc has raised an undisclosed financing. The round was led by Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic, Anges Québec and Anges Québec Capital. They were joined by RSJ Gradus, Aligo Innovation, Cystic Fibrosis Canada and other investors. President and CEO Radu Pislariu said the funds raised will help the company build on progress made developing LAU-7b, a first-in-class, pro-resolving drug for treating cystic fibrosis. Laurent was founded in 2012 in a partnership between MSBi Valorisation, McGill University and McGill University Health Centre.

Tech talent recruitment platform Hackajob rallies $6.7 mln

London-based Hackajob, a tech talent recruitment platform, has raised $6.7 million in funding. AXA Venture Partners led the round with participation from Downing Ventures.

Area 1 Security secures $32 mln Series C

Redwood City, California-based Area 1 Security, a provider of cybersecurity solutions, has raised $32 million in Series C funding. Kleiner Perkins led the round with participation from other investors that included Icon Ventures, DCVC, Top Tier Capital, Allegis Cyber and Epic Ventures.

UK staffing app ROTA fetches financing

London-based ROTA, a staffing app, has raised 1.8 million pounds in funding. The investors were not named.

WireWheel grabs $10 mln Series A

Arlington, Virginia-based WireWheel, a software-as-a-service platform "that modernizes global data privacy compliance," has raised $10 million in Series A funding. New Enterprise Associates and PSP Growth led the round.

Infoworks attracts $25 mln Series C

Palo Alto, California-based Infoworks, a software platform provider for agile data engineering, has raised $25 million in Series C funding. New Enterprise Associates led the round with participation from return backers Nexus Venture Partners and Centerview Capital Technology.

Milestone Pharmaceuticals amasses $80 mln

Montreal-based Milestone Pharmaceuticals, a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing interventions for tachycardias, has closed $80 million in financing. RTW Investments LP led the round with participation from other investors that included Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, Boxer Capital of Tavistock Group, Novo Holdings A/S, Forbion, funds managed by Tekla Capital Management LLC, Domain Associates, BDC Capital, Pappas Capital, GO Capital and Fonds de solidarité FTQ.

UK hybrid accelerator and venture firm K&T Capital locks in funding

UK-based K&T Capital, a hybrid accelerator and venture firm, has raised 20 million euros in funding. The investors were not named.

Cannabis retail and brand development firm 4Front rakes in $31 mln

4Front, a U.S. cannabis retail and brand development company, has raised about $31 million in a private placement. Toronto-based investment banking firm Eight Capital was the lead agent and bookrunner on the transaction. 4Front will use the capital infusion for personnel hiring, the buildout of its dispensaries and cultivation facilities in multiple states and for M&A opportunities. 4Front has offices in Chicago, Phoenix, Boston, and Washington, DC.

89Bio nabs $60 mln Series A

San Francisco and Israel-based 89Bio, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and other liver and metabolic disorders, has raised $60 million in Series A financing. OrbiMed Israel, OrbiMed US and Longitude Capital led the round with participation from RA Capital Management and Pontifax.