Lightship Raises $40M in Funding

Lightship, an El Segundo, CA- and London, UK-based virtual-first provider of clinical trials, raised $40m in funding.

The round was led by Define Ventures and Brook Byers, with participation from Khosla Ventures, McKesson Ventures and Marc Benioff’s TIME Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to continue its expansion, including in international markets with a London office to open this Fall.

Founded in 2018 and led by David MacMurchy, CEO, Lightship is a virtual-first provider of clinical studies which leverages an end-to-end delivery model, diversity of skill sets, and in-house care team to ensure sponsor success and the best possible patient experience.

The company is now adding new pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to its client base, in new therapeutic areas, and has continued to expand with the addition of over 100 new employees so far in 2021. To underpin its continued expansion, Lightship has bolstered its senior team with several senior hires. This includes the appointment of Robert P. Jones as Chief Financial Officer following nearly 14 years with Goldman Sachs as a Managing Director leading the firm’s coverage of Healthcare Services & Technology within Global Investment Research. In addition, Lightship has also created a series of new senior roles. This includes the position of Chief Client Officer, which is being taken up by Co-Founder Samantha Eells, Jean Holder is moving to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer and Sarah Firman is appointed Chief People Officer. Rachael Scott will be leading growth and expansion as Executive Vice President, Head of Expansion. Beverly Rubin continues as Lightship’s General Counsel.

FinSMEs

06/10/2021