ProCertus BioPharm raises $1.7 million

ProCertus BioPharm has raised $1.7 million to fund clinical trials to determine whether its products can safely help cancer patients avoid side effects of radiation and chemotherapy. The funding round was led by Novartis Venture Fund and Venture Investors, both of which already were investors in the Madison company. A first-time investor, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, also joined in the financing. ProCertus’ products are applied to skin or the inside of the mouth minutes before cancer therapy to protect cells that will be exposed to chemotherapy and radiation. (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 4/6)