BioCentury
ARTICLE | Finance

Ebb & Flow Focus

March 24, 2008 7:00 AM UTC

Although big series A rounds have become increasingly commonplace, the recent deal for Albireo AB, expected to reach $40 million, reflects business as usual for Nomura Phase4 Ventures.The London firm has taken an aggressive approach to investing its parent's money in biotech, characterized by large financing rounds geared to providing a clear route to Phase IIb data, underpinned by international syndication.

Phase4's story is one of increasing scale, with rounds mounting in size from 1999 until the VC hit its stride in 2004. Since then, the firm has usually taken the lead in $1.3 billion worth of venture rounds. ...