Monday, September 14, 2009

VitaPath gets $6M to fight spina bifida

VitaPath gets $6M to fight spina bifida

VitaPath Genetics, developer of a diagnostic that could be used to lessen rates of the birth defect spina bifida, has raised $6 million in a first round of funding led by Mohr Davidow Ventures. The money should provide the Foster City, Calif. with runway through next year, covering testing for women with a high chance of having a baby with spina bifida.

The condition, which causes a underdeveloped spinal column often leading to nerve and brain damage, occurs in eight babies born every day. VitaPath’s mission is to identify women at high risk for the defect before they even conceive. Those who are can potentially fix the problem by taking high amounts of folic acid.

X/Seed Capital Management also participated in the financing. It previously provided see money which was rolled into the round.