US-based biotechnology company Aura Biosciences raised $22m yesterday in a series B round featuring Chiesi Ventures, the corporate venturing arm of pharmaceutical company Chiesi Group, and scientific measuring instruments manufacturer Li-Cor Biosciences.
The round was led by venture capital firm Advent Life Sciences. Property debt manager Alexandria Real Estate Equities’ investment vehicle Alexandria Venture Investments, VC firm Ysios Capital and angel investor Henri Termeer also took part.
Aura is developing treatments for rare cancers of the eye based on nanoparticles that enable precise targeting of tumours and metastases.
Aura previously obtained $7.7m from a series A round split into several tranches between 2010 and 2012, and which featured Henri Temreer and other unnamed backers. The company also received $3.5m in seed funding in 2010 from undisclosed investors.
The company will use the series B funding to advance drug candidates into clinical trials.