CHICAGO – July 15, 2015 – First Analysis, a leading private growth-equity investor, has made a new investment in Courtagen Life Sciences Inc. Courtagen, based in Woburn, Mass., develops and markets genetic diagnostic tests focused on complex pediatric neurologic and metabolic disorders. The $20 million round, which included new and existing investors, will enable Courtagen to continue to build out its capabilities in sales and marketing and analytic infrastructure while developing and launching new products.
Courtagen’s tests can use saliva to collect DNA, thus avoiding blood draws – a key feature particularly in pediatrics. Courtagen has also developed proprietary systems, processes, technology, and analytic and machine learning software that enable operating leverage and the ability to efficiently increase capacity while continuing to build the quality of its database and biological insight.
Courtagen offers tests in four primary areas. devACT® and devSEEK® help diagnose developmental delay disorders, wherein a person suffers from the lack of a key enzyme. mtSEEK® provides mitochondrial genomic analysis, including heteroplasmy analysis, to understand mitochondrial function. nucSEEK® and nucSEEK® Focus provide mitochondrial nuclear exome analysis to assess abnormalities in nuclear proteins imported into mitochondria, also important to mitochondrial function. epiSEEK® and epiSEEK® Focus help diagnose and guide treatment for epilepsy and seizure disorders. Being able to assess and treat these difficult-to-diagnose and many times severe pediatric conditions early, proactively, and with scientifically guided and precise therapy offers the opportunity to shorten otherwise protracted trial-and-error diagnosis and treatment, improve short-term and long-term patient outcomes, and reduce overall costs.
First Analysis Managing Director Tracy Marshbanks commented, “The Courtagen team has an outstanding record of delivering innovative products, services, and technology into the fields of life sciences and healthcare while at the same time building fundamentally solid and valuable businesses. We are excited to join the organization and assist in building on the solid foundation already in place.”
Courtagen Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Brian McKernan said, “We welcome the fresh perspective First Analysis and our other new investors will add to our team, and we are looking forward to working with all of them in continuing to build a very successful company. We are eager to push forward on our plans to execute our strategy and build an incredibly effective and thriving company.”
About Courtagen
Courtagen is a privately held life sciences and molecular information company that converts genomic data into actionable clinical information for the diagnosis of critical pediatric neurological and metabolic disorders. Specifically, Courtagen focuses on mitochondrial disorders, epilepsy, and intellectual disability, including autism spectrum disorders. Courtagen’s state-of-the-art next generation sequencing clinical laboratory integrates genotype, phenotype, and disease mechanism data using cloud-based computing and custom analytical methods to provide the most comprehensive results for clinicians, patients, and their families to better understand and treat their disease. More information can be found at www.courtagen.com.
About First Analysis
First Analysis has one of the longest records (30 years) in private capital investing and has invested more than $700 million across 12 funds in three fund families. First Analysis excels at uncovering and leveraging the best opportunities in emerging high-growth segments in health care and technology for the benefit of the investors and growth companies we advise and serve. Integrated public and private company research underpins our success, yielding a deep, comprehensive understanding of each segment's near-term and long-term potential. First Analysis helps established companies become profitable leaders in large markets, funding growth plans and working closely with management in areas including strategy, recruitment, sales and marketing, and corporate development. Its flexible approach targets investing $3-10 million as lead investor or as a syndicate partner who brings valuable perspective to the table.
For more information, please contact:
Tracy Marshbanks
tmarshbanks@firstanalysis.com
312-258-7111
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First Analysis invests in Courtagen - July 2015