Vitadx SA is preparing to close a new $8.3 million funding round, to ramp European distribution of its automated software platform for early detection of bladder cancer. The system is based on morphology analysis of cells in a urine sample on a digital cytology slide. “Our Visiocyt technology allows urologists to adjust patient pathways and thereby limit the number of invasive procedures necessary to confirm their diagnosis with people already presenting symptoms,” Allan Rodriguez, CEO and co-founder of Vitadx, told BioWorld.

Researcher, serial entrepreneur and investor Gregory Verdine has helped Fogpharma Inc. bring in a $178 million series D financing. The company plans to use the proceeds to develop its lead candidate, FOG-001, a direct beta-catenin inhibitor, which is expected to enter clinical development in an oncology indication.