Eventide Asset Management, a Boston-based investment advisory firm that is “committed to biblically responsible investing,” has launched a new fund, the Eventide Healthcare & Life Sciences. The fund’s lead portfolio manager is Finny Kuruvilla, who also serves as a principal at the healthcare venture capital firm Clarus Ventures.

NanoString Technologies, a provider of life science tools for translational research and developer of molecular diagnostic products, has completed a $15.3 million Series E Preferred Stock issuance. New investors in the transaction included Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital and AllianceBernstein Alternative Investment Management Group. All previous venture investors participated including Clarus Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, OVP Venture Partners, GE healthymagination Fund, BioMed Ventures, and Henri Termeer.

NanoString Technologies, a provider of life science tools and developer of molecular diagnostics, has appointed James A. Johnson as the company’s new chief financial officer. Johnson assumes this role from Wayne Burns who will remain with the company in his new position as senior vice president, operations and administration. NanoString Technologies is backed by GE, BioMed Ventures, Clarus Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and OVP Venture Partners.

Massachusetts-based Catabasis Pharmaceuticals raised an additional $8 million in its Series A financing, now bringing its total funding for the round to $47.6 million. The company is developing an omega-3 conjugated compound for patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. SV Life Sciences, Clarus Ventures, MedImmune Ventures and Advanced Technology Ventures all participated in the funding.

Seattle-based NanoString Technologies, a provider of tools for translational research and developer of molecular diagnostics, has raised $20 million in Series D financing. New investors include GE; BioMed Ventures; and Henri Termeer, the former chief executive of Genzyme Corp. All previous venture investors in NanoString also participated in the financing, including Clarus Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and OVP Venture Partners, the company said.

Cleave Biosciences has raised $42 million in venture capital to develop new treatments for cancer. The Series A round investors include U.S. Venture Partners, 5AM Ventures, Clarus Ventures, OrbiMed Advisors and Astellas Venture Management. The financing will support multiple small molecule discovery and development programs in the area of protein homeostasis, the company said.

Restoration Robotics, a medical device company focused on hair restoration, has closed a $41 million Series C round led by Clarus Ventures. Sutter Hill Ventures, Alloy Ventures and Interwest Partners also joined in the round, which will be used for commercialization and the launch of its technology. The company is making computer-assisted technology that enables harvesting of hair follicles during hair restoration procedures.

CalPERS ratcheted up its venture capital commitments as better economic conditions returned in the middle of the last decade. This culminated in the banner year of 2008, when the California Public Employees’ Retirement System put about $1.27 billion into 23 funds, according to peHUB’s evaluation of the investment data updated through Dec. 31. The decision [...]

CalPERS, like many LPs, turned hesitant toward venture during the recent global recession. But the pension fund followed more free spending ways just prior to the slowdown, with commitments in 2006, 2007 and 2008 doubling or more. These mid-decade vintage years saw the California Public Employees’ Retirement System — the nation’s largest public pension fund [...]

Aerie Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biotechnology company focused on medical innovations in ophthalmology, has closed $30 million in Series B financing. Clarus Ventures and Sofinnova Ventures co-led the round, with participation from Osage University Partners and existing investors Alta Partners and TPG Biotech. Aerie Pharmaceuticals has offices in Research Triangle Park, N.C. and in Bridgewater, N.J.