Optiscan adds $5M tranche for glucose monitor

Optiscan Biomedical, developer of a less-invasive human glucose monitor for hospitals, received an additional $5 million in a second round of funding that now totals $53 million. The boost came from Wexford Capital, reports VentureWire.

The Hayward, Calif.-based company plans to use its new resources to see its product through clinical trials next year. While it has already been tested on humans, it has yet to receive the stamp of approval from the Food and Drug… Continue Reading

Infinia, with $50M, becomes latest solar player to draw big investment

Infinia, with $50M, becomes latest solar player to draw big investment

Although it’s over two decades old, Infinia is a relative newcomer to the solar market, having only been working on its solar thermal generator for a few years.

That may not prevent it from quickly becoming one of the largest players, though, with a new $50 million investment to kick off production and a slate of manufacturing partners ready to help fulfill its first orders.

The most notable detail about Infinia’s technology is that it’s based on… Continue Reading

Life sciences briefing: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007

Life sciences briefing: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007

Featured companies: Ablynx, Cardiosolutions, Carigent Thereapeutics, Elusys, Genome Corp., GlobeImmune, Novazone, Targanta Therapeutics, Waterfront Media

UPDATED at 5:45am on 9/27/07

GlobeImmune raises $41M for immune-system therapies — GlobeImmune, a Louisville, Colo., biotech focused on new forms of immunotherapy to treat viral infections and cancer, raised $41.2 million in a third funding round. Investors included Wexford Capital, Celgene, the Mellon Family Investment Company, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Eminent Venture Capital, Boston Life Science Venture, WRF Capital, HealthCare Ventures,… Continue Reading

Life sciences briefing: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007

Life sciences briefing: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007

Featured companies: Acceleron Pharma, AdvanDx, Altheus Therapeutics, BiPar Sciences, Coventina Healthcare Enterprises, ForteBio, Ganymed Pharmaceuticals, Mako Surgical, Nile Therapeutics, Novate Medical

[NOTE: This briefing was posted on Friday, 9/21/07; I've edited its timestamp to preserve chronological order among the briefings.]

Nile Therapeutics raises $20M, goes public in reverse merger — Berkeley, Calif.-based Nile Therapeutics, a developer of cardiovascular drugs, raised $20 million from new and existing investors and carried out a reverse merger that takes the company public…. Continue Reading

Implant maker Interventional Spine draws in $24M

Irvine, Calif.-based Interventional Spine raised $24 million in a third round of funding that the company says will support the launch of several new products. The company makes implants and surgical instruments for “percutaneous” spinal operations that feature narrow incisions and, theoretically, less trauma for patients. Here is the company’s release.

Ascension Health Ventures led the round, joined by Wexford Capital, HBM BioVentures, Rock Creek Capital, the MedFocus Fund and a group of current investors.

Continue Reading

Ephiphany raises $36M for anti-infection drugs

Epiphany, a San Francisco biotech company focused on developing anti-infective agents, said it has raised a $36 million first round of financing.

Wexford Capital, LLC led the financing, which included Windsor Bay Capital, Global Trust Ventures Management, CDIB BioScience Venture Management (CBVM) and several private investors.

One of its first products is a treatment for shingles.

Here is the announcement.