SFJ Pharmaceuticals - Top 20 Biotech VC Deals of 2009

Company: SFJ Pharmaceuticals
Based: Pleasanton, CA/Osaka, Japan
Amount: $45 million

Investors: Abingworth Management and Clarus Ventures

Scoop: SFJ Pharmaceuticals, a platform for bringing U.S. and European drugs to Japan, raised $45 million in Series A funding early last year. The round was designed to help the company acquire its first products. Currently, there is a dramatic drug lag in Japan, according to the company's website. Usually drugs are launched in Japan 3 to 4 years after they have been launched in the U.S. and other developed countries. SFJ's mission is to reduce this drug lag.