Biodesix | First Tranche of $10M Series B

Biodesix (Broomfiled, CO) a commercial-stage molecular diagnostics company focused on proteomic-based diagnostics, closed the first tranche of a $10M Series B financing. The company is enabling personalized health care via their mass spectrometry-based molecular profiling proprietary platform technology, ProTS®, to discover and validate diagnostic tests for the improvement of patient outcomes.

Biodesix' first product, VeriStrat®, a pretreatment serum proteomic test for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer is now commercially available for physicians to help guide their treatment of patients (view the demo [HERE]). The test identifies patients who are likely to have good or poor outcomes after treatment with EGFR-TKIs. Samples are processed in Biodesix' CLIA accredited laboratory and results are typically reported within 72 hours of sample shipment. VeriStrat® has been validated in clinical studies with over 1000 patients, and the Company is engaging in additional studies to further validate the test and to explore the clinical utility of VeriStrat® in other solid epithelial tumors and with other EGFR inhibitors.

Taligen Therapeutics: $65M Series B

Taligen Therapeutics announced the close of a $65M Series B financing led by Alta Partners and Clarus Ventures and with ongoing participation from existing partners Sanderling Ventures, Tango and High Country Venture.

All I can say is ‘WOW’! I would be willing to bet a dollar that there is not a larger Series B financing anywhere last year or this year. Talk about a powerful syndicate of investors, this deal has attracted institutional dollars from Sand Hill Rd, San Fran, Boston and Boulder. Well done Dr. Emlen!

Taligen Therapeutics, Inc. is a development-stage biotechnology company with novel technology and expertise focused on modulation and control of the complement system. The complement system is believed to be a critical component in the initiation of inflammation. Complement system activation is characteristic of many human diseases, including asthma, macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis and immune renal disease.

Taligen’s lead products are monoclonal antibodies and recombinant fusion proteins which target key factors in the alternative complement pathway. These products are in preclinical stages of development to treat systemic as well as local inflammatory conditions.

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ARCA Discovery: $18M Series B

ARCA Discovery, Inc. closed an $18M Series B led by Skyline Ventures and additional new investor InterWest Partners, previous investors Atlas Ventures, Boulder Ventures and the Peierls Foundation also participated in the round.

ARCA is aiming for an NDA submission in 2007 for Bucindolol, a next-generation beta-blocker and vasodilator for heart failure, and plans to seek approval of the drug concurrent with a genetic test to assist physicians in determining whether bucindolol is an appropriate therapy for their patients.

A targeted approach based upon genetic markers (beta-1 and alpha-2-c adrenergic receptors).

Colorado…at the forefront of personalized medicine!

Efficas: $14.5M Series B

Efficas, Inc., a biotech health, wellness and medical foods company focused on nutritional management of the immune system, has raised $14.5M in Series B funding. LSP BioVentures led the deal, and was joined by Unilever Technology Ventures and included return backers Burrill & Co., Great Spirit Ventures, JPMorgan Bay Area Equity Fund and Prolog Ventures. Seven Hills Partners served as placement agent. Since its founding in 2003 Efficas has raised approximately $23M.

Efficas’ first products include the Efficas™ Care line of medical foods that function as “leukotriene inhibitors” for the dietary management of allergic conditions such as asthma, eczema and allergies.

Accera, Inc. Closes $7.5M Series B

Broomfield, CO based Accera, Inc., a drug development company focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative diseases, announced it has recently closed a Series B financing of $7.5M led by returning investors Inventages Venture Capital, POSCO BioVentures and several unnamed private investors. In 2004 Accera closed their $6M Series A round.

Based upon their Neuron Energetics Technology platform, Accera has developed novel treatments to alleviate both defects in glucose utilization and lipid metabolism. These treatments are designed to increase energy to neuronal cells and provide raw materials for cholesterol and acetylcholine synthesis.

Proceeds of this financing will be used for a Phase II clinical trial of AC-1202 for Age Associated Memory Impairment, completion of an ongoing Phase IIb clinical trial for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease and expansion of the drug discovery program for small molecule compounds.

CardioOptics Completes $26.5M Series B

CardioOptics, Inc., a medical device company developing and commercializing unique therapeutic catheter systems that allow doctors to see directly through flowing blood and inside the heart as they treat cardiovascular disease, has completed a $26.5 million Series B financing. The round was led by new investor Novo A/S and joined by Investor Growth Capital, Inc., The Hillman Company, and Rockport Venture Partners, who are also new investors in the Company. Existing investors Cardinal Partners, Sequel Venture Partners and Primus Venture Partners all participated. As part of this financing, Jack B. Nielsen from Novo A/S and Stephen M. Campe from Investor Growth Capital have joined CardioOptics' Board of Directors.

Proceeds will be used primarily to commercialize CardioOptics' first product, the FDA-approved Coronary Sinus Access System™ designed for vision-guided implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers to treat heart failure, and to complete development of the Company's novel therapeutic catheter ablation system to treat atrial fibrillation. Both products incorporate the Company's proprietary infrared fiberoptic Trans-Blood Vision™ technology.