2006 Deal of the Year

Square 1 Bank (Deal of the Year — Private Company)

Durham-based Square 1 Bank is a venture bank focused on start-up technology, life sciences companies and venture capital firms. Square 1 Bank started in August 2005 by raising $105 million from private investors to fund its nationwide launch, which is one of the largest private bank deals in history. Chartered in the Research Triangle with a presence in Silicon Valley, Boston, Durham, Austin, San Diego and Seattle – Square 1 Bank provides a full range of banking services for emerging companies and venture firms. Based on the experience of its professionals, Square 1 Bank’s mission is to provide flexible loans that leverage a client's early stage capital.

[ Watch the pre-recorded acceptance speech ]

 

Targacept, Inc. (Deal of the Year — Public Company)

Targacept is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the design, discovery and development of a new class of drugs to treat central nervous system diseases and disorders by selectively targeting neuronal nicotinic receptors. The company, which is based in Winston-Salem, launched a successful initial public offering (IPO) on April 12, 2006, of 9 million shares, under the NASDAQ ticker symbol TRGT. Prior to pricing its IPO, Targacept signed an exclusive global license and research collaboration in December 2005 with AstraZeneca, a leading international healthcare company.

[ Watch the pre-recorded acceptance speech ]