Xeltis BV raised $15 million in series D2 funding to develop its restorative vascular access device for patients with chronic kidney disease who are on hemodialysis. The investment in this technology, called the Axess graft, came from Hong Kong-based China Grand Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Holdings Ltd. (Grand Pharma). The deal focuses mainly on commercializing Axess, but also involves other new products in the field of hemodialysis developed as part of the Xeltis technology platform. The commitment from Grand Pharma includes equity investment and product licensing, representing Xeltis’ first commercial deal and its first funding from an Asian concern.
Beijing Longwood Valley Medical Technology Co. Ltd. (also known as Changmugu Medical) recently completed a series B financing of ¥540 million ($79.7 million) to advance its artificial intelligence (AI) medical products. It also signed a strategic partnership with Johnson & Johnson Medical China Ltd.
Moximed Inc. has received $40 million in series C financing to pursue regulatory approval for its implantable shock absorber (ISA) for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Fremont, Calif.-based Moximed secured backing from investors including Advent Life Sciences, New Enterprise Associates, Future Fund, Vertex Healthcare and Runway Growth Capital to advance the Misha knee system. The company is touting the technology as the world’s first implantable shock absorber for OA.
Monod Bio Inc. raised a $25 million seed financing round to advance its protein-based biosensor technology. The round was led by Matrix Capital, with participation from the Global Health Investment Corp., Cercano Management, the Washington Research Foundation, Boom Capital Ventures, Sahsen Ventures, and Pack Ventures. The funds will be used to create protein biosensors for rapid point-of-care medical diagnostics and biotechnology applications.
Investors are backing Levita Magnetics International Corp. with $26 million to advance its new Magnetic-Assisted Robotic Surgery (MARS) platform. The series C financing round was led by Ballast Capital, with participation from Medtex Ventures, Invermaster and Carao Ventures. The new platform builds on the company’s first commercial device, the Levita Magnetic Surgical system which received U.S. FDA approval in 2015. The system enables reduced-port laparoscopic surgical procedures and consists of an external magnet that is placed on the skin and controls a magnetic grasper inside the abdomen during surgery.
Spintech MRI Inc. raised $6.5 million in series A financing to expand deployment of MRI software designed to improve and accelerate diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and other neurological diseases. The FDA-cleared Strategically Acquired Gradient Echo (Stage) platform is currently in use at more than 50 U.S. hospitals and institutions, including the Yale School of Medicine for advanced research, analysis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
In vitro diagnostics company Gaugene Biotechnology Ltd. has secured more than ¥100 million (US$14.8 million) in a series B financing to develop new products and technologies, as well as expand to new markets. The financing was led by Fortune Venture Capital Co. Ltd., with participation by Tao Capital, Guangdong Hybribio Biotech Co. Ltd., Qiming Venture Partners, and others.
Cleerly Inc. sees a bright future ahead after boosting its fundraising to date nearly five-fold with a $192 million series C. The new infusion brought the total invested in the company to $248 million, a solid endorsement of a company that hopes to transform cardiology with precision-based diagnostics that move away from indirect indicators to accurate measurements.
Ophthalmic and microsurgery device maker Carl Zeiss Meditec AG is investing in regenerative medicine startup Precise Bio Ltd. to jointly develop 4D bio-fabricated corneal transplants for diseases that require endothelial keratoplasty and natural lenticule transplants. Under the terms of the agreement, Carl Zeiss Meditec will lead a series B financing round in Precise Bio and fund development of two cornea transplant products.