Author: Ryan McBride

Ryan is an award-winning business journalist who contributes to our life sciences and technology coverage. He was previously a staff writer for Mass High Tech, a Boston business and technology newspaper, where he and his colleagues won a national business journalism award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers in 2008. In recent years, he has made regular TV appearances on New England Cable News. Prior to MHT, Ryan covered the life sciences, technology, and energy sectors for Providence Business News. He graduated with honors from the University of Rhode Island in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. When he’s not chasing down news, Ryan enjoys mountain biking and skiing in his home state of Vermont.

What’s in a Name? Announcing the Next Xconomy Forum: Healthcare in Transition

When we came up with “Healthcare In Transition” as the title of our next Xconomy Forum on April 26 (register here), we were thinking of a way to crystallize in a few words the changes and progress being made in the digitization of healthcare for the benefit of humanity. (There were similar discussions here prior … Continue reading “What’s in a Name? Announcing the Next Xconomy Forum: Healthcare in Transition”

Cooking with the Genzyme Recipe: New Players Funding Rare Disease Drugs in Boston

Many people have probably never heard of some of the diseases that venture capitalists and drug company executives are swooning over lately. But regardless of how obscure a rare illness like X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is, investments in developing drugs for such diseases are growing in popularity. In Boston, both venture firms and pharma executives … Continue reading “Cooking with the Genzyme Recipe: New Players Funding Rare Disease Drugs in Boston”

MedVentive Reveals Clarian Health Deals, Banks $10M C Round

MedVentive is getting a big endorsement for its technology for helping healthcare groups use their growing volume of electronic medical data to save money and improve treatment of patients. The Waltham, MA-based software firm has tapped one of its largest new customers, Indianapolis-based Clarian Health, to help wrap up a $10 million Series C funding … Continue reading “MedVentive Reveals Clarian Health Deals, Banks $10M C Round”

DR Systems Spins Off eMix to Provide Online Exchange for Medical Images

Bill O’Leary, an IT specialist at a hospital in Montana, got a typical request one evening in January. A physician at another hospital, in this case a pediatric neurologist in Seattle, needed O’Leary to send the doctor a patient’s medical imaging exam. To transfer the digital image a year ago, O’Leary would have spent hours … Continue reading “DR Systems Spins Off eMix to Provide Online Exchange for Medical Images”

Brighter Planet, Founded in Vermont, Sees Brighter Future in Bay Area

It’s another win for the Bay Area’s formidable social networking cluster. Brighter Planet, a provider of online and offline products that aim to help people and businesses reduce their carbon footprints, is downsizing its Vermont offices and expanding in San Francisco, company CEO Pattie Prairie says. The startup, which was formed by students and a … Continue reading “Brighter Planet, Founded in Vermont, Sees Brighter Future in Bay Area”

Where Bytes, Bio, and Healthcare Converge: Introducing Xconomy’s Health IT News Channel

We’re not much in favor of rigidly categorizing news by industry here at Xconomy, in part because we follow exciting companies that often transcend conventional definitions of what is a software, energy, or biotechnology business. But we do try our best to deliver breaking news and in-depth coverage to communities of readers, and one such … Continue reading “Where Bytes, Bio, and Healthcare Converge: Introducing Xconomy’s Health IT News Channel”

MDRNA and Cequent Pharma in $46M Merger Deal

MDRNA, the Bothell, WA-based developer of gene-silencing drugs, could give itself a longer cash runway in a proposed merger with Cequent Pharmaceuticals, of Cambridge, MA. The companies announced plans this morning to combine in an all-stock deal worth about $46 million. Last week, MDRNA (NASDAQ:[[ticker:MRNA]]) said its cash would keep the company afloat only into … Continue reading “MDRNA and Cequent Pharma in $46M Merger Deal”

Amag Pharma Gets $60M Upfront in Licensing Deal with Takeda

[Updated, 4/01/10, 4:40 pm] Amag Pharmaceuticals has struck a deal to expand global marketing of its best-selling drug. The Lexington, MA-based company (NASDAQ:[[ticker:AMAG]]) reports this morning that it has licensed its iron deficiency anemia drug to Japanese drug giant Takeda Pharmaceutical Company in a deal that includes $60 million in initial fees. The deal gives … Continue reading “Amag Pharma Gets $60M Upfront in Licensing Deal with Takeda”

Rhythmia, with Harvard and MIT Roots, Ready to Prove Heart-Mapping System Works

Here’s where the rubber hits the road for Leon Amariglio, Doron Harlev, and the startup they co-founded, Rhythmia Medical. After spending years to create an advanced system for mapping hearts during cardiac procedures, Rhythmia plans to test its technology in humans for the first time this year, Amariglio tells Xconomy. The Burlington, MA-based company’s investors … Continue reading “Rhythmia, with Harvard and MIT Roots, Ready to Prove Heart-Mapping System Works”

Nuance Sees Opportunity in Health IT Reform, New Frontiers With iPhone Software

Count Nuance Communications among the Massachusetts-based providers of software for doctors that could benefit hugely from healthcare reforms and technology initiatives emerging from Washington. Healthcare customers are the biggest market for the Burlington, MA-based company’s (NASDAQ:[[ticker:NUAN]]) speech-recognition and phone-based products, accounting for about 40 percent of the firm’s $950.4 million in revenue for fiscal 2009. … Continue reading “Nuance Sees Opportunity in Health IT Reform, New Frontiers With iPhone Software”

FDA Takes Enforcement Action on Genzyme’s Manufacturing

Genzyme’s manufacturing operations are facing further scrutiny in the aftermath of viral contamination found at its Allston Landing plant last June. The FDA informed the Cambridge, MA-based company (NASDAQ:[[ticker:GENZ]]) yesterday that the agency is taking action to make sure that the firm is making its products in compliance with manufacturing regulations, according to the company. … Continue reading “FDA Takes Enforcement Action on Genzyme’s Manufacturing”

Epizyme Entices Broad Institute Player, Robert Gould, to Take Over as CEO

Epizyme, a high-flying startup focused on the hot field of epigenetics, has recruited a new CEO and a new chief dealmaker. Robert Gould started work this week as chief executive of the Cambridge, MA-based biotech, having resigned from a big job at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Gould has served on the board … Continue reading “Epizyme Entices Broad Institute Player, Robert Gould, to Take Over as CEO”

Ironwood Pharma CEO Peter Hecht Breaks Silence on Company’s Big Biotech IPO

Peter Hecht is finally able to speak to the press about Ironwood Pharmaceuticals‘s landmark initial public offering, breaking the silence he was required to keep until last week to comply with quiet-period rules. And the CEO of Cambridge, MA-based Ironwood gave Xconomy a front-row perspective on the most talked about biotech IPO in recent history. … Continue reading “Ironwood Pharma CEO Peter Hecht Breaks Silence on Company’s Big Biotech IPO”

Icahn Gets One More Seat on Biogen Board

[Updated — 3/22/10, 11:30 am Eastern time] There will be no proxy battle between billionaire Carl Icahn and Biogen Idec this year. Cambridge, MA-based Biogen (NASDAQ:[[ticker:BIIB]]) says this morning it has struck a deal with Icahn in which two new members have been added to Biogen’s board of directors, including one of the candidates Icahn … Continue reading “Icahn Gets One More Seat on Biogen Board”

Boston-Area Tech Tells People to Take Their Meds, Targets Billions in Wasted Healthcare Spending

It’s tough to find an excuse for forgetting to take your medications nowadays. And if you’re thinking of a good excuse right now, chances are that companies and technologists in the Boston area have already addressed it with an information technology invention. Poor adherence to medications has been a bugaboo in the healthcare system for … Continue reading “Boston-Area Tech Tells People to Take Their Meds, Targets Billions in Wasted Healthcare Spending”

Obama’s Health IT Chiefs on Tap for Governor Patrick’s Big Health Technology Ball

Massachusetts is going to be the focus of the health IT universe late next month — if it isn’t already. Governor Deval Patrick and his staff have invited power players in both the healthcare and technology fields to Boston in April for a conference that is expected to highlight the state’s fast-growing health IT sector. … Continue reading “Obama’s Health IT Chiefs on Tap for Governor Patrick’s Big Health Technology Ball”

Ischemix Faces Moment of Truth with Mid-Stage Heart Drug Trial

Ischemix is facing the biggest hurdle in its 11-year history. The Maynard, MA-based biotech firm is launching the first human study to test the effectiveness of its drug that’s supposed to protect heart tissue from injuries that often occur when blood flow is restored in cardiac surgeries. The drug, called CMX-2043, is the only contender … Continue reading “Ischemix Faces Moment of Truth with Mid-Stage Heart Drug Trial”

Diagnosaurus Aims to ID Ailments

Diagnosaurus aims to be a quick reference tool for physicians as well as concerned moms and dads, allowing users to search for diagnoses by symptom, disease, or organ system. Unbound Medicine, the Charlottesville, VA-based firm that provides the app for the iPhone and iPod Touch, says it offers more than 1,000 different diagnoses. Diagnosaurus is … Continue reading “Diagnosaurus Aims to ID Ailments”

PocketCPR: Anyone Know CPR?!

PocketCPR has some solid credentials among several CPR training apps. For one, the iPhone app employs some of the same technology used in an FDA-cleared device, also called PocketCPR, which provides real-time instructions and feedback to assist people while they perform actual CPR. Pawtucket, RI-based Bio-Detek, the maker of PocketCPR products, markets the iPhone app … Continue reading “PocketCPR: Anyone Know CPR?!”

RunKeeper: How Far, How Fast, How Often…

Don’t ever kid yourself about how far you ran again. RunKeeper is an app that has made strides in keeping people honest and informed about the speed and distance of their runs, using the GPS technology on the iPhone 3G. FitnessKeeper, the app’s developer, offers a free, ad-supported version of it and an ad-free version … Continue reading “RunKeeper: How Far, How Fast, How Often…”

Forma to Discover Lymphoma Drugs in Deal with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Cambridge, MA-based Forma Therapeutics has formed a partnership with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of White Plains, NY, to discover drugs for immune cell cancers, according to a press release. No financial details were revealed. The partnership will focus on blocking a protein known as “Bcl-6,” which plays a role many lymphomas. Forma has been … Continue reading “Forma to Discover Lymphoma Drugs in Deal with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society”

Rhythm Pharma Gets $21M A Round to Target Obesity, Diabetes

The potential riches for makers of obesity and diabetes treatments are irresistible to biotech entrepreneurs and investors. Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, a drug developer focused on these multibillion-dollar markets, has closed a $21 million Series A round of funding, according to the firm. Rhythm has been quietly incubating at the Boston offices of MPM Capital. Then on … Continue reading “Rhythm Pharma Gets $21M A Round to Target Obesity, Diabetes”

Genetix Pharma Raises $35M from Third Rock, Genzyme for Gene Therapy

Venture capitalists are giving the risky field of gene therapy a new dose of confidence—and cash. Genetix Pharmaceuticals, a 17-year-old developer of gene therapies, has replenished its coffers with a $35 million Series B round of venture capital. The Cambridge, MA-based company attracted the fresh capital after a study in France showed that one of … Continue reading “Genetix Pharma Raises $35M from Third Rock, Genzyme for Gene Therapy”

Public Markets Warming Up to Venture-Backed Companies? Boston-Area IPO List

It’s a far cry from a hot market for initial public offerings these days, but there are reasons to believe that the long-awaited “IPO Window” is slowly opening for venture-backed companies in the Boston area. Sensata Technologies, an Attleboro, MA-based maker of sensors and switches, jumped through the IPO window yesterday, pricing its initial public … Continue reading “Public Markets Warming Up to Venture-Backed Companies? Boston-Area IPO List”

A123 Nabs Navistar EV Deal

A123 Systems (NASDAQ:[[ticker:AONE]]) reports today that it will supply its advanced lithium-ion battery systems for Warrenville, IL-based Navistar, which plans to use the batteries in electric trucks it is developing in a joint venture with Tokyo-based Modec. Watertown, MA-based A123 says that it expects to manufacture the batteries for the Navistar (NYSE:[[ticker:NAV]]) vehicles at its … Continue reading “A123 Nabs Navistar EV Deal”

PatientsLikeMe Launching Transplant Community

PatientsLikeMe, a Cambridge, MA-based provider of a social networking website for patients, reports today that the Swiss drug giant Novartis is supporting the startup’s development of a new online community for people who have received organ transplants. No financial details about the startup’s deal with Novartis were revealed. Novartis, which has a large R&D organization … Continue reading “PatientsLikeMe Launching Transplant Community”

Ruffolo New CEO at Crossbeam

Crossbeam Systems, a Boxborough, MA-based provider of network security software, says today it has named Michael Ruffolo as its new president and CEO. Ruffolo’s appointment follows the company’s announcement in December that its previous chief executive, Pete Fiore, passed away after his bout with cancer. Ruffolo was previously chairman and chief executive of Waltham, MA-based … Continue reading “Ruffolo New CEO at Crossbeam”

Phase Forward Offering Pharmas One-Stop Shopping for Clinical Research Software

Phase Forward has been one of the success stories in the Route 128 tech cluster during the past decade, and has grown to be one of the largest health IT companies in Massachusetts. But a big question about the firm on Wall Street is how—or whether—its growth spurt will continue. The Waltham, MA-based firm (NASDAQ:[[ticker:PFWD]]) … Continue reading “Phase Forward Offering Pharmas One-Stop Shopping for Clinical Research Software”

Una Ryan Searching for Riches to Deliver Inexpensive Diagnostics to the Poor

This week I spoke with veteran biotech executive Una Ryan at her office about her strategy for raising money to advance the cause at the Harvard spinout Diagnostics For All. So it was no surprise to spot her just a few hours later at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, networking with accomplished … Continue reading “Una Ryan Searching for Riches to Deliver Inexpensive Diagnostics to the Poor”

Merck to Move U.S. Chem. Unit to Bay State

The chairman of Germany-based Merck KGaA told the Boston Globe this week that the company plans to move the headquarters of its U.S. chemical business from New Jersey to Billerica, MA, following his firm’s deal to purchase Billerica-based life sciences firm Millipore for $7.2 billion. The Massachusetts-based division will be called EMD Millipore, Merck chairman … Continue reading “Merck to Move U.S. Chem. Unit to Bay State”

Stemgent Betting $4.5M on Scottish Biotech

Stemgent, a provider of biological materials for life sciences research with offices in Cambridge, MA, and San Diego, reports this morning it will invest $4.5 million over the next three years in the Dundee, Scotland-based biotech firm Ubiquigent. Ubiquigent is producing biological products developed by the Scottish Institute for Cell Signalling at the University of … Continue reading “Stemgent Betting $4.5M on Scottish Biotech”

Prominent Flatley Family Launches Boston Nonprofit for Cystic Fibrosis Drug Research

When a rare disease strikes one of their own, some families take it upon themselves to find a cure. Unsatisfied with treatment options for the genetic disorder cystic fibrosis, the Flatleys have become one of those families. John Flatley, a Braintree, MA, real estate developer, is spearheading his family’s effort to find a cure for … Continue reading “Prominent Flatley Family Launches Boston Nonprofit for Cystic Fibrosis Drug Research”

Amicas Warms Up to Merge Healthcare’s Buyout Bid

Amicas has changed its tune about its competitor Merge Healthcare’s efforts to buy the Boston-based software firm. After criticizing those efforts last month, Amicas’s board says that Merge’s updated buyout offer is superior to the one it had agreed to accept from the private equity group Thoma Bravo in December. Milwaukee-based Merge is offering to … Continue reading “Amicas Warms Up to Merge Healthcare’s Buyout Bid”

CombinatoRx Grabs $40M with FDA Approval

CombinatoRx has garnered its first drug approval. It’s a milestone for the Cambridge, MA-based drug developer, even if the path the company took to reach this point isn’t the one its founders had mapped out when they launched the company in 2000. The FDA has approved the pain drug hydromorphone HCL (Exalgo), which is an … Continue reading “CombinatoRx Grabs $40M with FDA Approval”

Athenahealth Taps Sermo Docs for Opinions on Electronic Health Records

What do doctors think about electronic health records? That’s a question at the heart of a newly announced partnership between Athenahealth and Sermo, according to the companies’ press release this morning. Athenahealth (NASDAQ:[[ticker:ATHN]]), the Watertown, MA-based provider of Internet software and services for medical practices, is tapping Cambridge, MA-based Sermo’s online community of physicians to … Continue reading “Athenahealth Taps Sermo Docs for Opinions on Electronic Health Records”

Dossia Doubles List of Key Health Record Adopters with Intel and Pitney Bowes

More big companies are giving electronic health records a go. The Cambridge, MA-based nonprofit Dossia says that two of its founding members, computer chip giant Intel and mail system provider Pitney Bowes, are offering its electronic health records system to at least some of their workers. The next big test will be how many Intel … Continue reading “Dossia Doubles List of Key Health Record Adopters with Intel and Pitney Bowes”

Startup Ra Pharmaceuticals Bags $10.3M Funding

Ra Pharmaceuticals has big-named backers and a co-founder of Transkaryotic Therapies (now part of Shire) serving as CEO, but not much else is known about the secretive startup. Yesterday the Boston-based firm reported in an SEC filing that it had raised $10.3 million of a planned $27.6 million round of equity financing. The company is … Continue reading “Startup Ra Pharmaceuticals Bags $10.3M Funding”

GenomeQuest Wants to Be the Google of DNA Data Searches

A flood of new genetic data generated by advanced DNA sequencing systems has landed some life sciences researchers in a bit of information-management pickle. But this problem is a major opportunity for GenomeQuest and its competitors in the business of proving DNA analysis software. GenomeQuest aspires to do for biologists what Google did for people … Continue reading “GenomeQuest Wants to Be the Google of DNA Data Searches”

Sermo Aims to Launch New Version of Doctors-Only Social Networking Site

Sermo is getting a technology makeover. The Cambridge, MA-based provider of the country’s largest social networking website exclusively for physicians is planning to launch a revamped version of its site called Sermo X, intending to improve the online experience of its users and customers, company founder and CEO Daniel Palestrant tells Xconomy. When CEOs tell … Continue reading “Sermo Aims to Launch New Version of Doctors-Only Social Networking Site”

Marathon Technologies Stretches B Round to $13.5M

Marathon Technologies has socked away more cash, about five months after announcing the arrival of new CEO Jim Welch. The Littleton, MA-based maker of fault tolerance software has wrapped up a third closing of its Series B round of venture capital, bringing the total funding in the round to $13.5 million, according to a regulatory … Continue reading “Marathon Technologies Stretches B Round to $13.5M”

Aveo Sets IPO Price Range at $13-$15 a Share

Aveo Pharmaceuticals, a Cambridge, MA-based developer of cancer drugs, has set a price range of $13 to $15 per share for its proposed initial public offering, according to an SEC filing. The firm says it expects to offer 7 million shares in the IPO, in addition to up to 1.05 million shares that would be … Continue reading “Aveo Sets IPO Price Range at $13-$15 a Share”

Monster Cuts 200 Workers

Monster Worldwide (NASDAQ:[[ticker:MWW]]), an online employment services company, is laying off 200 workers around the globe, including nearly 100 jobs between its Maynard, MA, headquarters and Cambridge, MA, offices, company spokesman Matthew Henson confirmed today. Henson said that the layoffs are part of a restructuring plan that has taken place for the past two years. … Continue reading “Monster Cuts 200 Workers”