La Jolla-based Laguna Pharmaceuticals, previously known as ChanRx, announced Tuesday the appointment of Bob Baltera as chief executive officer and the completion of a $30 million Series B financing.
Baltera joins Laguna from Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., where he served as chief executive officer until its $475 million acquisition by Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2011. Previously, Baltera held a number of senior management positions over 17 years at Amgen Inc. Baltera serves on the board of directors for several companies and the San Diego Venture Group and is a member of the board of trustees of the Keck Graduate Institute.
Versant Ventures and Frazier Healthcare led the round, joined by BioMed Ventures and Series A investor Santé Ventures, according to a recent news release.
Laguna Pharmaceuticals plans to use the proceeds to progress Phase 3 clinical development of its lead compound, vanoxerine, a therapeutic drug candidate for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.