Aerovance inhales $38M for asthma drugs

Aerovance, developer of asthma medications, just brought in $38 million in a post-recapitalized third round of funding to push its lead drug candidate through a second phase of clinical trials. The company has already received $20 million, with the option of claiming the remaining $18… Continue Reading

Pearl Therapeutics gathers $8M to treat breathing disorders

Pearl Therapeutics, a Redwood City, Calif.-based developer of inhaled drugs to treat respiratory diseases like COPD and asthma, just landed $8 million in venture debt from Oxford Finance and Silicon Valley Bank to expand its product line.

The company licensed particle-based technology from San Carlos, Calif.-based… Continue Reading

Pelikan closes $25M for handheld diagnostics

Pelikan Technologies, maker of medical devices for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, just brought in $25 million from undiclosed investors, reports VentureWire. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., the company spun out of Agilent Technologies in 2001 with the launch of its Pelikan Sun line, an electronic… Continue Reading

CeNeRx takes $15M to fight depression

CeNeRx BioPharma recently raised $15 million in a second round of funding contributed by Aisling Capital, L Capital Partners and Pappas Ventures. The Cary, N.C. company specializes in treatments for central nervous system disorders. It plans to use the money to push its lead drug… Continue Reading

Pelikan Tech to push “finger friendly” diabetes testing

Pelikan Tech to push “finger friendly” diabetes testing

One of the constant but unavoidable challenges in trying to control diabetes is the frequent need to test blood-sugar levels by sticking a needle into a fingertip — a step that tells diabetics when they need a snack (to raise blood glucose) or a shot… Continue Reading

Life sciences briefing: Monday, Oct. 15, 2007

Life sciences briefing: Monday, Oct. 15, 2007

Featured companies: Biolipox, Cellpoint Diagnostics, Corum Medical, MediKeeper, Mendel Biotechnology, NanoMed, Orexo, Rules-Based Medicine, Tengion

UPDATED: Expanded the Tengion item, and that’s about it.

Tengion raises $33M for bladder regrowth — Tengion, a Norriton, Pa., biotech focused on regenerating diseased or damaged organs, raised $33 million in a third… Continue Reading

Life sciences briefing: Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007

Life sciences briefing: Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007

Featured companies: ProNAi, Rubicor

ProNAi raises $2M for IV cancer drugs — ProNAi, a Kalamazoo, Mich., biotech focused on intravenous cancer drugs, raised $2 million toward a $4 million bridge round, VentureWire reports (subscription required). The company aims to raise a $25 million second round later tihs… Continue Reading