Following a $59.7 billion record-breaking year, med-tech financings in 2021 have already raised 56% more than the amount recorded during the pre-pandemic early weeks of 2020.

PARIS – Four years after being set up in Marseilles, France, Volta Medical SAS reported raising $28 million in a series A round for the VX1 software mapping system, an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm that is compatible with most readily available multipolar catheters and technology used in operating rooms and cath labs to treat cardiac arrhythmia.

Infectious diseases diagnostics company Lucira Health Inc. launched an IPO of 9 million shares of common stock at $17 per share, for expected gross proceeds of $153 million. Friday’s Wall Street debut was a show of confidence, upsized from an original plan to offer 7.8 million shares at $15 to $17. The Emeryville, Calif.-based company has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to acquire up to an additional 1,350,000 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

The week finished with flurry of biotech IPOs, seven of them, a record number in a single day, according to BioWorld stats. Last year was a record year for IPOs as 106 new offerings were completed and raised $22.5 billion, more than double the previous record of $10.7 billion set in 2018. The seven companies that priced Feb. 5 are anticipating total gross proceeds of about $1.06 billion.

Chinese heart valve specialist Microport Cardioflow Medtech Corp. (HKEX:2160) launched an IPO in Hong Kong on Feb. 4, raising HK$2.5 billion (US$324 million) by issuing 205.62 million shares at HK$12.20 apiece. With J.P. Morgan, Citi and CICC backing the IPO, the stock opened at HK$21.50, up 76% from the offer price. The pre-revenue med-tech firm, spun off from Microport Scientific Corp. in 2020, develops transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) products for valvular heart diseases, and is especially known for its Vitaflow series.

Of the three companies launching IPOs Feb. 4, one struggled mightily, another posted double-digit gains while the third ended the day flat. Shares of Landos Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ:LABP) dropped 25%, to $12 each, on their first day of trading. Sana Biotechnology Inc. (NASDAQ:SANA) had the strongest first day of trading as shares closed 40.4% higher at the close at $35.10. Sensei Biotherapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:SNSE) saw its IPO launch roughly break even on its first day of trading, closing with only a half-point gain at $18.90.