2010 is off to a pretty fast start in terms of Northwest deals. We’ve already seen a lot of action in biotech, software, and cleantech.
—Seattle-based InstantService, a provider of live chat services, was acquired by Art Technology Group (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARTG]]) of Cambridge, MA, an e-commerce software firm, for $17 million in cash, as Wade reported. InstantService’s technology will be used to help ATG’s clients offer live text-based chat with customer service agents on e-commerce sites.
—San Diego and Seattle-based VentiRx Pharmaceuticals raised $25 million in new funding, as Luke reported. The financing, which is an extension of a $26.6 million Series A deal from 2007, was led by new investor MedImmune Ventures, while existing investors Arch Venture Partners, Frazier Healthcare Ventures, and Domain Associates also participated. VentiRx is developing drugs to boost the body’s innate immune system to fight cancer and allergies.
—Sage Bionetworks, the Seattle-based nonprofit that’s leading a movement toward open-source sharing of biological data, has formed a partnership with Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]), as Luke reported. Financial details and other terms weren’t disclosed, but the deal will provide enough cash for Sage to hire some new staff and will help support the nonprofit’s goal of building computational models in “network biology.”
—Seattle-based ZymoGenetics made $90.9 million in a stock sale after discounts and expenses. The company’s investors and underwriters bought 16.1 million shares at $6 apiece. The money will be used for R&D and to help ZymoGenetics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ZGEN]]) market its drug for combating surgical bleeding.
—Kineta, a Seattle biotech company developing treatments for viral infections and autoimmune diseases, raised $942,000 in equity, debt, and options from 25 investors, as Luke reported.
—Bothell, WA-based Halosource, a maker of water purification technology, raised $10 million in a Series D financing led by Prime Partners Asia Merchant Capital of Singapore, as Luke reported. Halosource’s investors include Credit Suisse, Siemens, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and in Seattle, Alexander Hutton Venture Partners, Buerk Dale Victor (now Montlake Capital), and WRF Capital. The new money will be used to fuel Halosource’s expansion to more developing countries.
—Kirkland, WA-based OVP Venture Partners led a $9 million investment in Aggregate Knowledge, a San Mateo, CA-based online advertising and analytics firm. Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, DAG Ventures, and the company’s original angel investors also participated in the deal. The Seattle connection between Aggregate Knowledge and OVP was David Jakubowski, a former Microsoftie and advertising technology expert who is now AK’s chief revenue officer.
—Bellevue, WA-based DataSphere raised $10.8 million in Series B funding from Ignition Partners and two other strategic investors. DataSphere works with media companies to power hyperlocal websites and local advertising on those sites. I spoke with CEO Satbir Khanuja about his company’s strategy and prospects.
—Seattle cleantech software firm Verdiem raised $4.7 million in equity financing, according to a regulatory filing, as Luke reported. The investors were not disclosed. Verdiem’s software for personal computers is meant to help big companies and other organizations cut their electricity consumption.
—Seattle-based RealNetworks acquired Varia Mobile, also in Seattle, for an undisclosed amount. Varia, which makes content distribution and publishing software for mobile phones, was founded in 2007 and had a strategic alliance with RealNetworks (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RNWK]]) prior to the acquisition.
