• LineaGen Inc., of Salt Lake City, closed a $5.8 million Series A round led by vSpring Capital and Sanderling Biomedical Ventures, with participation by Mesa Verde Venture Partners. Those funds will be used to establish a molecular diagnostic commercialization entity for exploration into the nature, causes and treatment of pressing medical and health care challenges. LineaGen, a biomarker discovery company, said its initial focus will include diagnostic tools for advancing personalized health care by furthering genetic understanding, diagnosis and targeted treatment of significant disorders and diseases, including autism, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dinesh Patel, of vSpring; Fred Middleton, of Sanderling; and Dan Wood, of Mesa Verde, joined the company's board.

• Prometheus Laboratories Inc., of San Diego, filed for an initial public offering, hoping to raise $100 million, though it has not yet determined the number of shares to be offered or share price. Prometheus, a specialty pharma firm that develops and commercializes pharmaceutical and diagnostic products, currently focuses on the detection, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders. Proceeds from the IPO will be used for working capital purposes and for other general corporate purposes, including in-licensing and acquisition opportunities, research and development for new products, sales and marketing activities and capital expenditures. Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse are serving as the joint lead managers. The firm has not yet disclosed details of its proposed listing or ticker.

• Virax Holdings Ltd., of Melbourne, Australia, is raising A$2.7 million (US$2.3 million) through the issuance of convertible notes. The firm also appointed Larry Ward CEO. Virax develops immunotherapeutic products in cancer and chronic infectious diseases, and recently was cleared by the FDA to start Phase II testing of its lead product, VIR201, a therapeutic vaccine against HIV/AIDS.