Aegera Holds First Close

Aegera Therapeutics Inc., a Montreal-based drug developer, has held a Cnd$14 first close on its Series C funding round. VenGrowth led the deal, and was joined by return backers GrowthWorks, Business Development Bank of < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Canada, Desjardins Venture Capital, Multiple Capital and Solidarity Fund. A second close is scheduled for early 2007. In related news, Aergera has secured a $7 million venture debt facility. www.aegera.com< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />