The Global University Venturing deal net rounds up the smaller investments from across the university innovation ecosystem.
Datafluct, a Japan-based data science platform to solve corporate and social challenges, completed a ¥1.1bn ($8.8m) series B round led by University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners, a venture capital affiliate of the institution, today. The round also included food and drink wholesaler Kokubu, general contractor Takenaka, conglomerate Toshiba’s software services arm Toshiba Digital Solutions, insurer Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance’s investment unit Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital, cosmetics producer Pola Orbis and diversified conglomerate Tokyo Boeki. Datafluct had raised $2.8m in series A funding from University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners in April 2021.
Osmol Therapeutics, a US-based biopharmaceutical company developing a treatment to prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, raised an initial $5.2m series A-1 tranche led by Koax Investment Partners yesterday. The company is targeting a $7.5m close for the round. Osmol’s lead asset is based on research at Yale University.
Sampling Human, a Czech Republic-based microorganisms-powered live diagnostics technology spinout of University of West Bohemia, has raised $1.5m in funding from i&i Biotech Fund, according to Seznam Zprávy. Sampling Human has created genetically modified yeast to detect and examine cells at a faster rate, and lower cost, than other methods such as flow cytometry, it claims.
Artiria Medical, a Switzerland-based spinout of EPFL focused on treating stroke, has secured CHF1.1m ($1.2m) in bridge financing from unnamed, existing backers. The company previously raised $3.2m in series A funding led by 4FO Venture Partners in July 2020. Investiere, Zürcher Kantonal Bank, NEST pension fund, Venture Kick and angel investors also backed the series A round.
Turn Biotechnologies, a US-based cell rejuvenation technology developer spun out Stanford University, picked up an undisclosed amount on Monday from pharmaceutical firms Daweoong Pharmaceutical, HanAll Biopharma and Astellas Pharma, the latter contributing through its corporate venturing arm Astellas Venture Management. The round additionally included LongeVC, ThreeD Capital, Vitality Healthspan Foundation, Methuselah Fund, Formic Ventures and Shanda Group. The latter three were identified as returning backers. Turn had raised an undisclosed amount in April 2021.
Detecht, a Sweden-based motorcycle safety app developer, has raised an undisclosed amount from existing shareholder Chalmers Ventures, the innovation arm of Chalmers University of Technology. Detecht previously secured $400,000 in funding from Chalmers Ventures, ATM Capital and Almi Invest in November 2019.
EpiWatch, a US-based epilepsy-focused digital health spinout of Johns Hopkins University, has closed a funding round of undisclosed size. Investors in the round were not named.
