Norwegian fingerprint sensor firm Next Biometrics has raised 156 million nok ($18.7m) in a private placement.The funds are gross proceeds via private placement consisting of 1,167,000 new shares at price of 134 crowns per share.On Monday, the company said it was considering the placement.It also said it had retained Carnegie, DNB Markets and Pareto Securities to advise on and effect private placement of new shares directed towards Norwegian and international investors after close of Oslo Stock Exchange on Feb. 6, 2017.The firm said the net proceeds from private placement will be used to invest in increased flexible sensor production capacity, further smart card related research and development and general corporate purposes.Last week, Next appointed former Motorola exec Ritu Favre as new CEO.