DNA Script, a pioneer in Enzymatic DNA Synthesis (EDS) for on-demand DNA printing, recently announced the completion of its Series C financing, raising $200 million of new capital. With this latest financing, DNA Script has raised $315 million since the company was founded in 2014.
Accounts and funds advised by T. Rowe Price Associates and Baillie Gifford participated in the second tranche of the Series C along with Healthcor Management, eureKARE, and Irving Investors. They joined Coatue Management, Catalio Capital Management, Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Casdin Capital, as well as other investors who participated in the first closing.
Proceeds from this financing will be used to advance the SYNTAX Platform, DNA Script’s first commercial product powered by its proprietary EDS technology. SYNTAX empowers scientists to rapidly print synthetic nucleic acids for genomics and molecular biology applications at the convenience of their lab bench. On-demand printing enables labs to iterate without waiting days or weeks to receive their genetic material from third-party service providers.
“We are thrilled to partner with this world-class group of investors, including new participants Baillie Gifford and T. Rowe Price, who collectively share our vision to increase access to oligo manufacturing to accelerate the bio-revolution,” said DNA Script’s Co-founder and CEO Thomas Ybert. “SYNTAX is the first step toward creating a new paradigm for DNA and RNA synthesis. With the support of our investors, we look forward to continuing to advance this new paradigm to solve some of our largest challenges and advance human health.”
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DermBiont, a clinical stage biotechnology company developing targeted topical therapeutics that address the root causes of skin diseases has raised a $28 million Series A2 financing and announced the acquisition of clinical-stage biotechnology company Chromaderm which is developing a topical inhibitor of melanin production as a first-in-class therapy for skin brightening, melasma, and other skin diseases. As part of these new developments they have named Dr. Emma Taylor as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Taylor, a board-certified dermatologist.
“We are excited to welcome Chromaderm and its team to DermBiont,” said Dr. Karl Beutner, co-founder and CEO of DermBiont. “Chromaderm’s topical small molecule drug in development is a great fit for the DermBiont portfolio, which is focused on targeted topical therapeutics for skin conditions with well-defined mechanisms of action.”
Excess melanin production is the root cause of a number of common skin diseases including melasma, solar lentigos (sunspots), and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. These disorders are most common in people of Hispanic, African, and Asian descent and primarily affect women; melasma affects approximately 5 million people in the United States, with a prevalence rate up to 40% in certain populations. Current treatments for these conditions have minimal efficacy, are not specific, and have significant safety concerns.
As part of the transaction, Jeni Lee, Principal at Pivotal Life Sciences, joins DermBiont’s Board of Directors. In addition to Pivotal Life Sciences, the round also includes participation from Viking Global Investors, Olive Tree Capital, Toba Capital, Civilization Ventures, and other biotechnology investors.
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The regulatory structure for rewards and incentives in Medicare Advantage has officially changed. If you need help navigating the new guidelines that went into effect 1/1/21, Healthmine has compiled the most common questions we’ve received into a handy FAQ document.
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Bamboo Health, formerly Appriss Health and PatientPing, a health tech company supporting care collaboration and providing information and actionable healthcare insights, has appointed president and general manager Rob Cohen to the role of CEO.
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