VentureBeat

Viroblock, a Geneva-based biotech focused on new antiviral drugs, raised a first round of funding. The company didn’t disclose financial details; its release is here. The round was led by private investor Peter Pfister, Fongit Seed Invest, and Initiative Capital Romandie.

The company is developing new ways for attacking “enveloped” viruses, whose DNA or RNA genomes are wrapped in some form of protein coat. A Viroblock official said in a statement that the funding will allow the company to move from Petri-dish experiments to animal tests.

Prosetta, a San Francisco developer of new antiviral therapies, raised $2 million in early financing, VentureWire reports (subscription required). The company termed the funding a “series AAA” round that has the same terms as its earlier $1 million “series A” and $5 million “series AA” financings, but different valuations. Individual investors provided the entire funding, which values the company at over $20 million.

Prosetta, founded by Vishwanath Lingappa, Jaisri Lingappa and other UCSF academics, is working on small-molecule drugs — that is, compounds that can be taken orally — to disrupt the protein coats, or capsids, that viruses form to protect their genes. The company’s first candidate will target hepatitis C.