BrainCells - Top 20 VC deals of 2008

Company: BrainCells
Based: San Diego, CA
Amount: $50.6

Investors: New Enterprise Associates, Alexandria Real Estate, MedImmune Ventures, Oxford Bioscience Partners, Bay City Capital, Technology Partners, Pappas Ventures, NeuroVentures Capital

Scoop: San Diego's BrainCells raised $50 million after it extended its Series B financing to gain an additional $20 million from new investor New Enterprise Associates and existing investor Alexandria Real Estate Equities. BrainCells says it's developing compounds that promote the growth of new neurons for CNS diseases. Its lead product candidate, BCI-540, is designed to treat patients suffering from depression with anxiety. BrainCells was a 2008 Fierce 15 company.