Q3 2015 VentureDeal Quarterly Venture Capital Report
Biotechnology - Medical Devices - Pharmaceuticals
Life Science companies secured $3.4 billion in venture capital financing during Q3 2015, representing a decrease of 8% versus the previous quarter. The funding was allocated between 213 companies, a 3% decrease versus the previous quarter.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology funding was down from the previous quarter, decreasing by 12% during the quarter. The number of companies funded also decreased, by 9% versus the previous quarter.
Stemcentrx raised $250 million in late stage venture equity capital to continue development of medicines to significantly improve survival rates for cancer patients by eliminating cancer stem cells which initiate and perpetuate tumors. Investors included Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and Fidelity Management & Research Company.
Gene editing technology company Editas landed $120 million from a syndicate of private equity and other investors, according to a company statement. Editas said it would use the proceeds to develop broadly its genome editing platform in advance multiple new therapies toward clinical trials.
Biotechnology Funding History - to 3rd Quarter 2015
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceutical fundings decreased to $846 million, representing a 6% decrease in amounts funded but a 21% increase in the number of companies funded.
New York-based Turing Pharmaceuticals secured $90 million in venture equity and debt capital from investors. The company says that it is a “fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focusing on patients with unmet medical needs.” Specific proceeds purposes from the financing were not disclosed.
Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Checkmate Pharmaceuticals raised $20 million in Series A equity capital from venture capital investors led by Sofinnova Ventures. Checkmate will use the funding proceeds to develop additional generations of oligonucleotide-based products in the field of immuno-oncology.
Pharmaceuticals Funding History - to 3rd Quarter 2015
Medical Devices
Venture capital funding for Medical Device companies remained flat in total amounts funded, at $1.1 billion. The number of companies funded dropped from 91 to 86.
The largest funding event during the quarter was $200 million in venture equity from a large syndicate of venture capital investors for Littleton, Massachusetts-based Mevion Medical Systems. The company said it would use the proceeds to launch its joint venture in China to “produce, sell and service proton therapy systems for the Chinese market.”
Medical Devices Funding History - to 3rd Quarter 2015
Table 1
Venture Capital Funding - 3rd Quarter 2015
| Industry |
Total
Disclosed
Funding |
% Change
Vs. Prior
Quarter |
Number of
Companies Funded |
% Change vs. Prior Quarter |
Biotechnology |
$1.5 billion |
- 12 % |
86 |
- 9 % |
Pharmaceuticals |
$846 million |
- 6 % |
41 |
+ 21 % |
Medical Devices |
$1.1 billion |
-- % |
86 |
- 5% |
Total |
$3.4 billion |
- 8 % |
213 |
- 3 % |
This material has been prepared and issued by VentureDeal. The information contained herein is based on current information that VentureDeal considers reliable, but we make no representation that it is accurate in the future or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. It is provided with the understanding that VentureDeal is not acting in a fiduciary capacity.