Derived from Strategic Transactions, a premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Venture Funding column provides a comprehensive monthly review of emerging life science companies that have received venture funding, including companies within the In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals sectors. This month’s column covers deals announced August through September 2014.

Acute alcohol intoxication is an unmet medical need that can be both lethal and a cost drain for the health care system, Aldea says. It plans to develop its lead candidate, an ALDH-2 activator, for the rare genetic disorder Fanconi anemia as well.

Last year was transformational for the Belgian biotech Ablynx. Not only did it sign the biggest product licensing deal of 2013 with AbbVie, it also further expanded its relationship with Merck Serono through a fourth collaboration; its first venture investors Gimv and Sofinnova Partners exited the company; and the firm took its first foray into the emerging markets via a $2m deal with China's Eddingpharm.