Private Company Edition: TVM, Focus/MD Anderson and RA Capital launched new venture capital funds. Also, LianBio’s $310m crossover financing, AavantiBio’s Sarepta-backed $107m series A and Sirnaomics’ $105m series D led recent VC rounds. 

Merck pays undisclosed upfront fees and promises up to $500m for milestones under licensing and collaboration agreement. Meanwhile, Tetraphase and Xerava are being acquired by La Jolla, after previous bids by Melinta and AcelRx.

Developing some of the first coronavirus vaccines and antibody testing kits, venture-backed firms in China have responded fast and partnered actively in the fight against the pandemic, helping them to raise new funds and reach deals. But there have been cautionary tales in other sectors and some investors remain wary.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Venture Funding Deals 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 September through October 2015.