PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Life Science Angels (LSA), a Bay Area-based early-stage investment group focused on supporting promising emerging biotech, medical device, genomics, diagnostic and mobile health companies, has been named the Top Angel Investment Group in the U.S.  LSA was recognized by CB Insights as the best performer out of 370 angel groups analyzed nationwide based on criteria that included: historical performance, network strength (connections), selection aptitude and brand recognition.  LSA was launched in 2005 by Allan May and Casey McGlynn along with 80 life science executives, experienced angel investors and notable strategic and corporate industry sponsors.

"LSA is delighted to be named the #1 angel group in the country," said Allan May, Founder, Life Science Angels.  "LSA is focused on data, diligence, company-building and results, and so this top ranking based on objective measures of success is especially meaningful to us."

CB Insights (CBI) is regarded as the leader in financial and business analytics.  Their Investor Mosaic tool now in use by multiple Fortune 100 companies applies predictive algorithms to big data and evaluates each investment group along multiple dimensions to rank overall performance.

Since 2005, LSA has invested nearly $50 million in over 40 companies which have received an additional $1 billion in follow-on funding from VCs and strategics.  The group follows a rigorous selection process to identify worthy companies with strong upside potential for its membership. LSA portfolio companies are continuing to improve the standard of care which has translated into 8 liquidity events including the acquisition of Nanostim by St.Jude Medical in 2013, the acquisition of CV Ingenuity by Covidien in 2013 and Zogenix' IPO in 2010.  Since 2013, LSA has invested over $2 million in 8 new life science companies which raised a total of $27M through syndication.  Investments included Spirox, nVision, NuMedii, eNicotine (lead), Tiatros, Carmenta, Physcient (lead) and BioTrace Medical.  LSA also invested $1.5 million in follow-on rounds for 6 of its existing portfolio companies in which those companies raised a total of $25 million.  In addition to its investment focus, LSA continues to cultivate entrepreneurship in the healthcare community by hosting seminars, mentorship sessions and a fellowship program.

"We tip our hat to Life Science Angels for achieving the best overall score in our evaluation of hundreds of impressive angel groups," said Anand Sanwal, CEO/Co-founder of CBI.

About Life Science Angels:
Founded in 2005, Life Science Angels is the premier angel investment group focused solely on healthcare investing within medical devices, diagnostics, mobile/digital health, genomics and biotechnology.  LSA was established by senior life science executives and experienced angel investors to meet the need for seed and early stage funding for life science companies that is often not available from venture capitalists or individual investors.  By identifying promising investment opportunities and bringing together members who add sector-specific experience, broad networks, and financial backing, LSA is able to assist emerging companies to execute cash efficiently and to position themselves for strategic partnership, exit, or later-round venture-backed funding.  Since its founding, LSA and its affiliates have invested almost $50 million in startup companies which have subsequently raised over $1 billion to pursue their efforts in healthcare innovation.

For more information: www.lifescienceangels.com

About CB Insights/Investor Mosaic:
CB Insights is a venture capital and angel investment database that provides real-time information on fund and company performance.  The proprietary Investor Mosaic tool builds upon research by academicians and industry practitioners focused on understanding venture capital performance.  Investor Mosaic uses data and sophisticated predictive algorithms to help LPs analyze and identify the best venture capital firms.  It offers a predictive model for better investment selection and management of VC fund investments that is diametrically opposite to the imperfect, incomplete and time-lagged data that currently exists.                               

For more information: www.cbinsights.com