(Marketwire)  January 11, 2012 – Burrill & Company announced that it had completed a $125 million first close of its Burrill Brazil Fund I and that as of January 9 it had obtained the necessary approvals from Brazilian authorities to commence operations of the fund.

“We are pleased to have attracted investment from some of the most prestigious investors in Brazil, including two global leaders within the pharma and biotech industries and two of the most important multilateral organizations of the region,” says G. Steven Burrill, CEO of Burrill & Company, a global life sciences financial services firm.

“This reflects Burrill Venture Group’s ongoing efforts to invest in innovation across the globe and in places where growing economies are creating demand for new services and products.”

The fund will invest in the life sciences in Brazil, including early- to late-stage investments in therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, healthcare services, biofuels and digital health. The fund, which has a total target of $200 million for its second close, includes investment from private institutions, multinational organizations, government agencies and life sciences companies.

“Brazil is a market that is seeing new consumer demand from a burgeoning middle class that is creating opportunities for healthcare services and products,” says João Paulo Poiares Baptista, Managing Director of Brazil for Burrill & Company. “But it is also a place that is producing high quality science on par with other developed countries. We are attracted not only to its growing market, but to its innovative companies as well.”

About Burrill & Company
Founded in 1994, Burrill & Company is a diversified global financial services firm focused on the life sciences industry. With $1.5 billion in assets under management, the firm’s businesses include venture capital/private equity, merchant banking, and media. By leveraging the scientific and business networks of its team, Burrill & Company has established unrivaled access and visibility in the life sciences industry. This unique combination of resources and capabilities enables the company to provide life sciences companies with capital, transactional support, management expertise, insight, market intelligence, and analysis through its investments, conferences, and publications. Headquartered in San Francisco, the company oversees a global network of offices throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. For more information visit: http://www.burrillandco.com/