Lumena raises $23 million in series A

Lumena Pharmaceuticals Inc. (San Diego, Calif.) debuted on Wednesday with $23 million in a series A round led by Alta Partners, with participation from Pappas Ventures and RiverVest Venture Partners. Pappas' David Savello and RiverVest's John McKearn joined Lumena's board, along with Robert Alexander, executive chairman at ZS Pharma Inc. (Fort Worth, Texas) and formerly a general partner at Alta Partners. Lumena was founded in 2011 by Pappas. The firm's Mike Grey is president and CEO. ...