Pluris raises $53 million

Optical equipment maker Pluris said Thursday that it has raised $53 million in its fifth funding round, bringing its total funding to $215 million since the company received a seed investment in 1997. Pluris spokeswoman Michelle McLean said the company expects the financing to last at least 12 months to 15 months and that Pluris is still talking to other investors about additional funding for the round. JP Morgan Partners, ComVentures and Crescendo Ventures co-led the round, which included investments from previous backers. Pluris will use the funding to continue developing its Internet routers and to expand its sales and marketing efforts. The company said its products are still in the trial phase with telecom carrier Deutsche Telekom and that trials began with two North American carriers during the previous quarter.