Verus' Childs' Play Brings in $98 Million A Round

Verus Pharmaceuticals Inc. 's monster $98 million Series A is certainly notable for its size and for the fact that—at the time—Verus boasted no IP, technology, or products. Verus' ability to raise funds to make a serious play in pediatric medicine is also a reminder that despite the proliferation of the specialty pharma model there are still untapped, high-growth niche areas where businesses can be built with few serious competitors, and where a management team with a successful track record can attract big money. And importantly, the June 2005 financing is another signal that investing in the highest quality start-up biotech investments is increasingly a game for VC firms with deep pockets.