Epic Sciences raises $52M Series E round to advance liquid biopsy diagnostics
The San Diego-based firm plans to integrate its "No Cell Left Behind" platform with electronic medical records and big data analytics.
Domain VC: Why we’re investing more in molecular diagnostics
When Domain Associates led Xagenic Inc.’s recent $20 million Series B, it marked the eighth diagnostics investment the firm had made with its $500 million eighth fund. The partners say they’ve invested nearly a quarter of their current fund in molecular diagnostics companies because they think genomic analysis technology has reached a tipping point. “One […]
These are the most active VCs in healthcare since 2012
As investments in life science companies have dipped over the past few years, some investors have scaled back investments or walked away from the sector all together. But based on a tally by investment research firm PitchBook in its 2013 Venture Capital Healthcare Report, several firms have made 10 or more investments in pharmaceutical, medical […]
Lipitor co-developer’s rebooted startup gets $33M for trials of cholesterol-lowering drug
In its second wind as a company, Esperion Therapeutics (once owned by Pfizer) has just collected $33 million to continue with clinical trials of its cholesterol-lowering drug. Plymouth, Michigan-based Esperion is in phase 2 trials of ETC-1002, a once-daily oral drug designed to regulate abnormal lipid and carbohydrate metabolism without many of the side effects […]
VC firm Domain + Elite Consulting = new opportunities for U.S. health technology in China
While venture capitalists are usually focused on investing in innovation, this healthcare VC is turning the tables and doing some creative thinking of its own. Last week, life sciences venture firm Domain Associates unveiled an interesting partnership with Beijing-based Elite Consulting, a consulting and financial advisory firm for the Chinese pharmaceutical and medical device industry. […]
Clinical-stage Adynxx looks for success treating pain as a disease rather than a symptom
Despite the many avenues for treating pain these days, the Institute of Medicine estimates that it costs the U.S. a whopping $635 billion annually in medical charges and lost productivity. That’s the problem a young San Francisco pharmaceutical startup called Adynxx is trying to address. Existing drug treatments come with unpleasant or outright dangerous side […]
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
Renal denervation by ultrasound may set apart Kona in hypertension market
The hypertension treatment market is hot, with Medtronic leading the way in commercializing a renal denervation device. An estimated two dozen other companies are chasing the medical device heavyweight using the same approach, and today another startup announced that it raised a $30 million series C to add staff and fund clinical trials of its […]
‘Cross-kingdom’ vaccine may protect against fungal and bacterial infections
A clinical-stage pharmaceutical company with a vaccine it says uses a single antigen to protect against both fungal and bacterial infections is looking for a series B round to fund phase 2 trials for hospital-associated infection and women’s health applications next year. NovaDigm Therapeutics’ lead product, the NDV-3 vaccine, targets the fungal infection candida and […]
Early stage biotechs face funding gap as VCs seek surer bets, stronger returns
Early stage biotech companies looking for venture capital have always found it hard to get VC funding, but it looks like it's only going to get harder. A panel of VCs at the CED Biotech/Life Science conference in Raleigh, North Carolina said that VCs want for surer investments likely to make a strong market impact.
Apnex Medical names former BSX and J&J executive as its new CEO
Apnex Medical Inc., a St. Paul-based startup developing technology to treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), has named Charles McKhann as its new CEO. McKhann, who previously served as a global vice president of marketing for Boston Scientific Corp.’s (NYSE: BSX) cardiac rhythm management division, replaces founder and executive director Robert Atkinson. While at Johnson & […]
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Michigan’s Esperion Therapeutics raises $5M for cardiovascular disease drug
Esperion Therapeutics Inc., a spin-off from Pfizer Inc., has raised an additional $5 million to develop drugs that treat cardiovascular and metabolic disease, according to a SEC filing. The regulatory document states that Esperion has raised $27.75 million in equity and debt, but that dollar figure likely includes a $22.75 million Series A fundraise the company announced in 2008 after the spin-off.
Domain Associates closes $500 million life science fund
Venture fund Domain Associates has closed a $500 million fund to invest in early-stage drug and medical device companies with "meaningful portion of its efforts going towards the diagnostics and instrumentation sector."
Cleveland Clinic physician named to Regado Biosciences advisory board
Dr. A. Michael Lincoff is part of a new nine-member medical advisory board at Regado Biosciences, a New Jersey company developing a quickly reversible anti-clotting drugs to help with heart problems including acute coronary syndrome.