Every day, Global University Venturing rounds up the smaller investments from across the university innovation ecosystem in its deal net.

WSU neurodegenerative disease drug spinout Athira Pharma will put the proceeds towards phase 2/3 clinical testing of a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Cloud collaboration software provider Exostar was formed by BAE, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Rolls-Royce before Merck & Co became a shareholder in 2014.

Penna and Company contributed to a round that lifted the total raised by the QBE and TD Ameritrade-backed enterprise automation software provider to $111m.

Suncor, Mitsui and ANA have provided equity funding for LanzaTech's sustainable aviation fuel spinoff alongside a grant from the US government.

The bank is now part of a $17m series A round for the financial investigation software developer led by Index Ventures last November.

Progressive Insurance has invested in Varo Money as the latter prepares to become the first digital bank to be awarded a national bank charter.

University of Chicago returned to contribute to a series B round for smart oven provider Tovala.

Novartis bought $10m in shares as the fibrosis treatment developer floated at the top of its range in an expanded initial public offering.

The corporate is pumping $100m into the newly formed Opportunity Growth Fund, to invest in founders and entrepreneurs of colour.