Vergent Bioscience Inc. raised $21.5 million in a series B financing round to advance development of VGT-309, its targeted fluorescent imaging agent that illuminates tumors during open, minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries. The company plans to use the funds to support a phase II trial at the University of Pennsylvania that focuses on lung cancer and a multicenter study that will examine the agent’s use in other indications.
At first glance, Cellarity Inc. might appear as one more company harnessing the computational power of AI and machine learning to boost drug discovery efforts. A closer look, however, reveals a different approach, one that looks at cells and cellular behavior to address disease rather than the traditional method of seeking out molecular targets.
Recent years have seen progress in treating brain disease, but one major challenge remains: getting therapeutic treatments across the blood-brain barrier. Now, Cranius LLC has raised $19.4 million to advance a device designed to bypass the blood-brain barrier and deliver medicines directly and continuously to the brain.
Cionic Inc. doubled its funding to date with a $12.5 million series A round led by Bluerun Ventures. The cash infusion will support the manufacturing and delivery of the company’s Neural Sleeve, development of additional products on its human augmentation platform and expansion of the team. The Neural Sleeve received FDA clearance in February and is designed to help individuals with impairments caused by multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy and other diseases retain or regain mobility.
Delphinus Medical Technologies Inc. raised $30.4 million in a series D fundraising round to support worldwide commercialization of its Softvue 3D whole breast ultrasound tomography system. Both new and existing investors kicked in funds including Arboretum Ventures, Beringea, North Coast Technology Investors, Venture Investors, Hopen Life Science Ventures and Waycross Ventures.