Finance Watch: VC Investment Soars In Q1, Putting Biopharma On Track For A Record Year

Pharma and biotech companies raised $4.6bn in the first quarter, exceeding the 2017 quarterly average by $1.4bn. But while the money invested soared, the number of companies funded sank. In public financings, MorphoSys commences US IPO and Mylan sells $1.5bn in notes.

Pharma and biotech companies raised $4.6bn in venture capital during the first quarter, putting 2018 on track to shatter the sector's record-setting $12.86bn total in 2017 when the average amount raised per quarter was $3.2bn, according to data from the quarterly Venture Monitor report compiled by Pitchbook for the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA).

The dollar amount raised in the first quarter was boosted by many very large financings, reflecting the ongoing trend of...

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