Chimerix pockets $23 million in venture funds

Durham, NC-based Chimerix has raised $23 million in venture capital and plans to use much of the money to develop new antiviral therapies. Researchers at the company are preparing trials for a therapy to treat smallpox and cytomegalovirus. Preclinical research on an HIV therapy is also underway. Canaan Partners and Alta Partners led the latest investment and Canaan's Seth Rudnick and Alta's Ed Penhoet will join Chimerix's board of directors.

"As Chimerix transitions from a development-stage to a commercialization-stage company, this financing will be key to providing the resources to advance their commercial programs in a broad range of antiviral diseases including CMV, HPV and HIV," said Tim Wollaeger, managing director of Sanderling Ventures and Chairman of Chimerix.

- check out the press release for more
- here's the article on the venture round from the News & Observer