Kirk Falconer
Chinook Therapeutics, a Vancouver-based developer of precision medicines for kidney disease, has raised about $86 million (US$65 million) in a Series A financing. U.S. life sciences venture capital firm Versant Ventures led the round, with participation from Apple Tree Partners and Samsara BioCapital. Chinook was incubated through Versant's Inception Sciences and seeded by Versant and Apple Tree. Chinook's technology leverages single-cell RNA sequencing, human-derived organoids and new translational models to develop therapeutics with novel mechanisms of action against kidney disease pathways. Led by President and CEO Eric Dobmeier, the company will use the funds raised to advance several programs into clinical trials by 2021.
Toronto-based mobile rewards platform Drop has raised $59 million (US$44 million) in a Series B financing, bringing total funding to $95 million (US$71 million). The round was led by U.S. venture capital firm HOF Capital and joined by New Enterprise Associates, Sierra Ventures and White Star Capital. RBC, Canada’s largest bank, also signed on as a strategic investor. Founded in 2015 and led by CEO Derrick Fung, Drop provides a free app that allows users to earn cash rewards on their purchases with more than 300 merchants. In addition, it connects brands with shoppers, including much sought-after Millennials.
Vulcan Capital, the multi-billion family office of late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has about 5 percent of its portfolio invested in the region, says CIO Chris Orndorff
GHGSat, a Montréal-based provider of emissions monitoring services, has raised $3.3 million of funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). GHGSat is focused on remote sensing of greenhouse gas and air quality gas emissions from industrial sites. The funds raised will support a study in British Columbia's Montney region to compare emissions data collected by terrestrial sensors to GHGSat's satellite and aircraft measurements. Field operations will begin in 2020. Last year, GHGSat closed a US$10 million Series A2 round led by OGCI Climate Investments and joined by Schlumberger, Space Angels and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
Quber Technologies, a Moncton-based mobile savings app, has raised $450,000 in financing. New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) invested $200,000 in the round. The balance was accounted for by angel investors and the startup's founders. Launched in 2016 and led by CEO Jennifer Leger, Quber provides a secure smartphone app that helps Canadian consumers manage their spending and accumulate savings for personalized financial goals. The deal's proceeds will support the expansion of Quber's users, revenue and team members.
Toronto-based medical imaging company MolecuLight has secured a nearly $10 million (US$7.5 million) loan from Oxford Finance LLC, a U.S. healthcare and life sciences finance firm. The proceeds will support the commercial growth of MolecuLight i:X, a real-time, handheld fluorescence imaging solution for the global wound care market. The device helps clinicians diagnose and treat chronic wounds. Founded in 2013 by CSO Ralph DaCosta, and led by CEO Anil Amlani, MolecuLight is backed by Canadian healthcare technology venture capital firm iGan Partners and other investors. Last week, MolecuLight announced the sale of its oncology business to Photonamic GmbH & Co KG.
Nudge Rewards, a Toronto-based frontline employee engagement app, has raised about $12.4 million (US$9.3 million) in its latest financing, bringing total funding to more than $20 million (US$15 million). The round was led by U.S. late-stage venture capital firm Jump Capital, with participation from existing investors BDC Capital, Brightspark, Generation Ventures and Standup Ventures. Founded in 2012 by CEO Lindsey Goodchild, CTO Dessy Daskalov and CCO Jordan Ekers, Nudge provides mobile solutions to retail, restaurant and hospitality brands to help improve frontline employee engagement and performance. The company will use the funds raised for growth and to add to its data science team.
Lightspeed POS (TSX: LSPD) has priced its previously announced offering of subordinate voting shares on behalf of selling shareholders. Underwriters have agreed to buy about 5.4 million shares for $35 per unit, generating proceeds of about $189 million. The amount increases to about $217 million if the greenshoe option is exercised in full. The selling shareholders include Lightspeed Founder and CEO Dax Dasilva, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Inovia Capital. Lightspeed, a Montréal-based retail and restaurant point-of-sale and e-commerce platform, closed its initial public offering (IPO) in Canada earlier this year, raising $276 million. The IPO valued the company at $1.5 billion.
Telus Health has acquired Toronto-based Akira Health and Right Health, together a provider of virtual and in-person healthcare technology. No financial terms were released for the deal, which will see Akira and Right Health continue to operate under their existing brand. Founded in 2015, Akira was acquired two years later by Right Health, a portfolio company of Canadian healthcare technology venture capital firm iGan Partners. Akira-Right Health is led by Co-founders and Co-CEOs John Mozas and Dan Pawliw. Telus Health is the digital health solutions and technology affiliate of Canadian telecommunications company Telus Corp (TSX: T).
Tevosol, an Edmonton-based medical device maker, has closed a $2 million seed-stage financing, bringing total funding to $6.3 million. The round's investors were not identified. Spun out of the University of Alberta in 2015, Tevosol is the developer of the ex-vivo organ support system (EVOSS), which assists surgeons with organ transplantation. Led by CEO Ron Mills, Tevosol will use the funds raised to complete a proof-of-concept human trial, expand its team, and accelerate development of its portable perfusion device for lungs. The company said it will next seek financing to support manufacturing, clinical investigation and commercial launch.