• Ikonisys Inc., of New Haven, Conn., has secured $30 million Series E financing. New investor Goldman, Sachs & Co. joined existing investors Trevi Health Ventures, Palisade Capital, Everfin, Lakeview Capital Management, New Science Ventures, Promark Holdings SA, Saint Simeon - e Investimentos Lda and WHI Group. The financing follows FDA marketing clearance and market launch of two new diagnostic applications developed by Ikonisys for use in conjunction with its proprietary Ikoniscope digital microscopy platform. The company anticipates releasing the first two of its proprietary rare cell detection tests in 2008. The tests are designed to provide a noninvasive method for the prenatal detection of chromosome abnormalities in the fetus and early detection of cancer.

• SemBioSys Genetics Inc., of Calgary, Alberta, said its business unit Botaneco has reached agreement with AVAC Ltd., also of Calgary, for $2.4 million in nondilutive funding for the development of Botaneco as an independent business. The funding will be paid in installments over 27 months, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2007 upon the formation of Botaneco as a separate legal entity and execution of development and commercial milestones. In return for the funding, Botaneco has agreed to provide AVAC "a modest royalty, by industry standards," beginning December 2009 on all gross revenues derived by Botaneco in arrears until an aggregate return up to a maximum of two times the gross amount invested by AVAC has been paid.

• Senesco Technologies Inc., of New Brunswick, N.J., closed on an additional $1.5 million of its previously announced $5 million private placement with YA Global Investments LP. The company has now closed on $3 million of the placement of secured convertible debentures and warrants. The company plans to use the proceeds to advance a cancer target with the goal of initiating a Phase I trial, as well as other human health, agricultural research and general corporate purposes. The company estimates that it will take approximately two years to complete the steps needed to begin a Phase I trial. It said the proceeds from the $5 million YA Global private placement along with $5 million gross proceeds from the private placement with Stanford Venture Capital Holdings Inc., announced Sept. 4, will be enough to allow it to begin a Phase I clinical trial as well as fund other research projects and general and administrative expenses for approximately two years.