Biotech pesticide maker AgraQuest raises $20M
Davis, Calif.-based AgraQuest, an ag-biotech firm developing new forms of pesticide, raised $20 million in what appears to be its tenth major fundraising. The U.K.’s Loudwater Trust and existing investors, including TPG Ventures, participated in the round.
AgraQuest derives novel, organic pesticides from natural microorganisms, which the company screens in order to identify natually produced substances that have toxic effects on pests. The full process, which AgraQuest details on its Web site here, is actually quite… Continue Reading
Aristos, RAID storage processing company, raises $13.36M
Aristos Logic Corp., a Foothill Ranch, Calif.-based provider of RAID storage processing technology, has raised $13.36 million in Series G funding, according to a regulatory filing cited by PE Wire.
Investors include JPMorgan Partners, TPG Ventures, Woodside Fund, QTV Capital, Seagate Technology, Infineon Technologies, Emulex Corp., EMC Corp.
Since 2000, the company has raised about $100 million in total VC funding.
Amgen to buy inflammation drug co. Avidia for up to $380M
Biotech giant Amgen said it has agreed to buy Mountain View-based Avidia for up to $380 million.
Under the accord, expected to be completed this year, Amgen of Thousand Oaks will pay $290 million in cash and up to $90 million more if Avidia meets certain milestones developing its drugs.
Avidia has only 37 employees, and at $380M, that means each employee is responsible for more than $10M, if they do get the full price. The company… Continue Reading