Spark secures $72.8 million in series B

Gene therapy play Spark Therapeutics LLC (Philadelphia, Pa.) secured $72.8 million in an oversubscribed series B round led by new investor Sofinnova Ventures. New investors Brookside Capital; Deerfield Management; Rock Springs Capital; T. Rowe Price; Wellington Management; and two undisclosed healthcare funds also participated. Co-founder The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHoP) also participated; Spark said more than $20 million of the round is part of CHoP's previously announced $50 million capital commitment (see BioCentury, March 10). ...