The pharmaceutical company has boosted its stake in mRNA drug developer and strategic partner Moderna to 9%, lifting Moderna's overall funding to at least $790m.

Tioma Therapeutics, an oncology treatment spinout of Washington University in St Louis, has secured funding from backers including Novo, GlaxoSmithKline and Roche.

Genetic testing technology producer Singlera Genomics has attracted $20m in a series A round led by a subsidiary of Eli Lilly.

Nutritional ingredient developer Puro, launched last month by an ex-Torrent executive, has received $37m in funding from the conglomerate.

The digital health fund, launched by Astellas Pharma and MPM Capital late last month, will initially look to invest up to $6m in two to three deals per year.

The Maabarot-backed oral insulin developer has closed a $30m round featuring WuXi PharmaTech that will fund trials for two disorders.

Cancer care technology developer Avelas has now raised about $35m altogether, after Pharmstandard led a series C round also featuring Alexandria and WuXi PharmaTech.

Corporates including Yahoo Japan and Tokyo Broadcasting System have contributed to the $50m first close of the VC partnership between Keio University and securities brokerage Nomura.

Tioma Therapeutics, an oncology treatment developer, previously known as Vasculox, has secured funding from backers including Novo, GlaxoSmithKline and Roche.