Austin-based Asuragen released news today that they’ve raised an $18.5M Series B round of funding. The Series A funding was $49M, and investors Telegraph Hill Partners and Growth Capital Partners have returned, with Austin-based PTV Sciences adding money into this round. Asuragen is the new company of Ambion founder Matt Winkler. Matt sold Ambion for $273M and also received an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for his achievements. His new company is figuring out how to combat cancer with microRNA. The Statesman has a great story about the company today.

Last month Asuragen announced a deal with Merck to develop a biomarker and a gene-based drug for Merck’s cancer research programs.