Shelton, CT-based spinal device developer Spine Wave has raised $17.6 million in debt financing, according to an SEC filing. The company said in a press release that previous investor New Enterprise Associates led the financing, which also included Morgenthaler Ventures, Compass Global Fund, New Leaf Venture Partners, Canaan Partners, Foundation Medical Partners, and Memphis Implant … Continue reading “$17.6M Debt Round for Spine Wave”
Category: Boston
Bliss Healthcare, Founded by MIT Sloan Grad, Starts New Web-Savvy Home Care Service
Pankaj Khare says he has devoted the past several years of his life and his 401K savings to a startup that he thinks will improve the way home care is delivered to patients. Now, with some help from Boston-area angel investors, this company, Bliss Healthcare, is finally ready to introduce a Web-supported home care service … Continue reading “Bliss Healthcare, Founded by MIT Sloan Grad, Starts New Web-Savvy Home Care Service”
Tablet Journalism: Can Rupert Murdoch’s iPad Adventure Save the News Business?
Sorry for the sensational headline. I couldn’t help myself. Talking about the future of journalism just gets me fired up, I guess. Anyway, the answer, of course, is no. Rupert Murdoch’s new initiative, called The Daily, can’t save journalism in an Internet era when advertising rates have declined and everyone wants to get their content … Continue reading “Tablet Journalism: Can Rupert Murdoch’s iPad Adventure Save the News Business?”
Genocea Announces New CEO, Pfizer to Add Jobs In MA, Ocular Raises $14M, and More Boston-Area Life Sciences News
We saw a mix of meaty pieces on company strategies and outlooks, as well as breaking news on funding for Boston’s life sciences companies. —Ryan took a look at Cambridge, MA-based drug developer Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals (and neighbor to Xconomy) as it navigates Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which it filed for in December. The firm, … Continue reading “Genocea Announces New CEO, Pfizer to Add Jobs In MA, Ocular Raises $14M, and More Boston-Area Life Sciences News”
EveryTrail Was “Unappreciated Gem,” Says TripAdvisor Exec: A Look Inside Today’s Acquisition
As we reported earlier today, Palo Alto mobile travel publishing startup EveryTrail is now part of TripAdvisor, the giant travel review site based in Newton, MA and owned by Bellevue, WA-based Expedia (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXPE]]). EveryTrail’s iPhone and Android apps allow users to document their travels by uploading geotagged photos and voice memos, which are arrayed … Continue reading “EveryTrail Was “Unappreciated Gem,” Says TripAdvisor Exec: A Look Inside Today’s Acquisition”
Poynt Picks Up Go2Media’s Local Ad Assets
Boston-based mobile publisher Go2Media has sold its local advertising assets to Calgary-based local search firm Poynt for $450,000, according to a press release today. The assets include all source code, related documentation, and all transferable publisher and advertiser agreements related to location-based ads. Go2Media most recently raised $3 million in venture capital led by General … Continue reading “Poynt Picks Up Go2Media’s Local Ad Assets”
EveryTrail Thumbs A Ride From TripAdvisor, As Internet Travel Business Consolidates
Newton, MA-based TripAdvisor, the travel review site owned by Bellevue, WA-based Expedia (Nasdaq: [[ticker:EXPE]]), said today that it’s buying EveryTrail, a Palo Alto, CA, startup that helps users create multimedia travel tours using their GPS smartphones. The terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, so it’s hard to say whether the acquisition represents a sizable return … Continue reading “EveryTrail Thumbs A Ride From TripAdvisor, As Internet Travel Business Consolidates”
Boston-Power Hires New CEO; Founder Lampe-Onnerud Says She’s Excited By Move
Boston-Power, a Westborough, MA-based advanced lithium-ion battery developer, announced it has brought on Keith Schmid as its new chief executive. He replaces CEO and founder Christina Lampe-Onnerud, who will move to the position of executive chairman. Schmid comes most recently from Power Distribution, a Virginia-based provider of electrical power distribution equipment and services that saw … Continue reading “Boston-Power Hires New CEO; Founder Lampe-Onnerud Says She’s Excited By Move”
Ocular Therapeutix Grabs $14M in New Round for Eye Therapies
Ocular Therapeutix has found a new investor and a fresh round of capital to advance its hydrogel-based treatments for the eye, CEO Amar Sawhney told me yesterday. The Bedford, MA-based startup is raising $14 million in a Series D round of venture capital. Ascension Health Ventures, the investment unit of the largest Catholic hospital chain … Continue reading “Ocular Therapeutix Grabs $14M in New Round for Eye Therapies”
IBM Venture Exec from Silicon Valley: Boston Startups Very Active in Mobile, Cloud Computing, Healthcare
Deborah Magid isn’t a VC, but she works in a venture group. Her responsibilities are global, but I’m asking her to think locally. She works for a tech giant, but I’m quizzing her on small startups. Confused yet? Magid isn’t. She’s the director of software strategy in IBM’s Venture Capital Group, which started in 2000. … Continue reading “IBM Venture Exec from Silicon Valley: Boston Startups Very Active in Mobile, Cloud Computing, Healthcare”
How to Hire an Entrepreneur
As Erin Kutz wrote about a few weeks ago, my fellow ATG co-founder Jeet Singh and I have recently launched Redstar, a “company that builds other companies.” Unlike most incubators and angel funds, which invest in companies that are already formed or at least well along in the process, Redstar’s goal is to create a … Continue reading “How to Hire an Entrepreneur”
Boston Scientific Wants to be a Rock Star. But First, It Needs Some Stars.
Boston Scientific (NYSE:[[ticker:BSX]]) has been talking the talk of late. But its walk the past few years can be best described as a limp. There’s no mistaking the company’s new-found bravado as CEO Ray Elliott, who succeeded Jim Tobin in 2009, attempts to infuse the company with some of the energy that made his previous … Continue reading “Boston Scientific Wants to be a Rock Star. But First, It Needs Some Stars.”
Spine Wave Receives $17,500,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=7a37082c-258a-4fe2-b63d-8e685e216341&Preview=1 Date 2/3/2011 Company Name Spine Wave Mailing Address Three Enterprise Drive Shelton, CT 06484 Company Description Spine Wave is a medical device company focused on the development and marketing of clinical solutions for three of the largest and fastest growing spinal market segments: nuclear replacement and augmentation, vertebral compression fracture repair … Continue reading “Spine Wave Receives $17,500,000 New Funding Round”
Business Breakfast: Entering the Mobile Market: The Value, Costs and Risks
This morning event, sponsored by the North Shore Technology Council, aims to slice and dice the mobile technology field, focusing on the risks, costs, and values of getting involved. Execs from mobile technology companies and investors will weigh in on this panel. Register here.
Vitality Acquired By Healthcare Investor Soon-Shiong, Looks to Expand Wireless Products for Improving Healthy Behaviors
Cambridge, MA-based health IT firm Vitality announced today that it has been snapped up by a healthcare industry veteran and angel investor, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong. The acquisition, whose dollar value was not made public, will help Vitality expand its product line of wireless devices focused on encouraging healthy behavior, and better target insurance companies and … Continue reading “Vitality Acquired By Healthcare Investor Soon-Shiong, Looks to Expand Wireless Products for Improving Healthy Behaviors”
Bluefin Labs, $6M in Hand, Looks to Help TV and Ad Execs Cash In on Social Media Analysis
An intriguing MIT startup has emerged from pseudo-stealth mode today with a splash of PR. Bluefin Labs, based in Cambridge, MA, spoke with TechCrunch about its strategy for applying text and language analytics to TV advertising and content. Bluefin Labs (not to be confused with Bluefin Robotics, another MIT spinout) is the brainchild of CEO … Continue reading “Bluefin Labs, $6M in Hand, Looks to Help TV and Ad Execs Cash In on Social Media Analysis”
Pfizer Adding 350 Jobs in MA, Globe Reports
Massachusetts is expected to gain 350 jobs from Pfizer (NYSE:[[ticker:PFE]]) as the world’s largest drugmaker restructures its global research and development activities to cut $1.5 billion in spending, the Boston Globe reports. New York-based Pfizer—which employs 2,300 workers at two research hubs in Cambridge and a facility in Andover it acquired through its 2009 buyout … Continue reading “Pfizer Adding 350 Jobs in MA, Globe Reports”
NaviSite Bought by Time Warner for $230M
Andover, MA-based NaviSite (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NAVI]]) , an provider of IT services such as data hosting and managing for large organizations, will be acquired by Time Warner Cable for $5.50 per share in cash, for a total equity value of $230 million, the companies announced last night. Time Warner (NYSE: [[ticker:TWC]]) said that NaviSite’s cloud platform … Continue reading “NaviSite Bought by Time Warner for $230M”
The World’s Most Innovative City
Most readers will be aware that Vertex announced it is moving from 900,000 square feet of laboratories and offices in Cambridge to over a million square feet in Boston. Some are asking if this spells serious trouble in Cambridge. This question surprises me. Cambridge is one of the world’s most important sources of next-generation technology … Continue reading “The World’s Most Innovative City”
AisleBuyer, Locately, Clearwire Join Xconomy’s Mobile Madness 2011 Lineup on March 9
I just got a new BlackBerry smartphone last weekend, which makes me a mobile expert—for circa 2005-2006 maybe. Luckily for you (and me), there’s a big event coming up called Mobile Madness, which will tell you all you need to know about the industry in 2011 and beyond. Xconomy’s third annual mobile conference, Mobile Madness … Continue reading “AisleBuyer, Locately, Clearwire Join Xconomy’s Mobile Madness 2011 Lineup on March 9”
Vertex Urges CDC to Recommend Hep C Screening, To Nudge “Second Tsunami” of Patients
If Vertex Pharmaceuticals gets its way in talks with U.S. public health officials, most people over 50 could soon get blood tests to screen for hepatitis C infections at the doctor’s office. If the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agrees this is a good idea, it could prompt another 1 million patients … Continue reading “Vertex Urges CDC to Recommend Hep C Screening, To Nudge “Second Tsunami” of Patients”
EnerNOC Acquires M2M, H3 Launches With Eisai Funding, Genzyme Talks With Sanofi Advance, & More Boston-Area Deals News
Deals news this week spanned the cleantech, IT, and life sciences fields, and involved startup financing, acquisitions, and new company launches. —Boston-based energy management firm EnerNOC (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ENOC]]) announced it had bought M2M Communications, a Boise, ID-based wireless technology company that works with energy utilities in the Midwest and California. EnerNOC said it paid $30 million … Continue reading “EnerNOC Acquires M2M, H3 Launches With Eisai Funding, Genzyme Talks With Sanofi Advance, & More Boston-Area Deals News”
Ocular Therapeutix Garners $14,000,000 Series D Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9b9ea9d6-6d64-40d6-b71c-fa095d8e4174&Preview=1 Date 2/2/2011 Company Name Ocular Therapeutix Mailing Address 36 Crosby Dr. Bedford, MA 01730 Company Description Ocular Therapeutix, Inc. is a privately held company focused on the development and commercialization of ophthalmic therapeutic products using its proprietary hydrogel technology to address unmet or underserved needs in ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgery. Website … Continue reading “Ocular Therapeutix Garners $14,000,000 Series D Round”
White House Startup Investment Coincides with Sweeping Changes for TechStars, Y Combinator, Other Incubators: A Road to Recovery, or Another Bubble?
It’s been an unforgettable seven days for tech entrepreneurs—as if somebody poured startup juice into the nation’s water supply. First President Obama dedicates a good chunk of his State of the Union address to the virtues of high-tech innovation and entrepreneurship. Then Russian investor Yuri Milner and Silicon Valley super-angel Ron Conway pair up to … Continue reading “White House Startup Investment Coincides with Sweeping Changes for TechStars, Y Combinator, Other Incubators: A Road to Recovery, or Another Bubble?”
BG Medicine Cuts IPO Target
Waltham, MA-based BG Medicine has again adjusted its plans for an initial public offering, this time aiming to raise about $33.3 million, roughly half of what it was shooting for last year. The diagnostics company revealed in a regulatory filing today that it is aiming to price a 4.75-million-share initial public offering at $7 per … Continue reading “BG Medicine Cuts IPO Target”
Startup America Starts Up—-Thoughts from the White House Kickoff
Yesterday the Kauffman Foundation and the Case Foundation helped to launch a new initiative called the Startup America Partnership. The idea emanated from the White House early in 2010 and has been germinating since that time. As many Xconomy readers are aware, the Kauffman Foundation has seeded programs to support entrepreneurs, entrepreneur education, and research … Continue reading “Startup America Starts Up—-Thoughts from the White House Kickoff”
Genocea Biosciences Names New CEO
Genocea Biosciences, a Cambridge, MA-based firm that specializes in rapidly discovering potential vaccines, said today it has named Chip Clark as its new chief executive. Clark, who played a key role in the firm’s recent $35 million Series B financing, was previously the company’s chief business officer, a job he took in August 2010. He … Continue reading “Genocea Biosciences Names New CEO”
Genzyme-Sanofi Deal Might Be Close, Report Says
French drug giant Sanofi-Aventis’s long-sought takeover of Cambridge, MA-based biotech company Genzyme (NASDAQ:[[ticker:GENZ]]) might happen within the next week or so, sources told The New York Times yesterday. The report came the same day that Genzyme announced that it had opened its books to Sanofi to allow its potential buyer to conduct due diligence. Sanofi—which … Continue reading “Genzyme-Sanofi Deal Might Be Close, Report Says”
Pervasis in “Advanced” Talks with Potential Partners for Blood-Vessel Healing Product, CEO Says
Pervasis Therapeutics, a Cambridge, MA-based developer of cellular therapies, has had the green light from the FDA to start a pivotal clinical trial of its lead candidate for improving blood vessel access in hemodialysis patients for about a year. Yet the startup, whose board and advisors include major scientific stars such as MIT’s Bob Langer, … Continue reading “Pervasis in “Advanced” Talks with Potential Partners for Blood-Vessel Healing Product, CEO Says”
Offermobi Garners $1,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6b6383a3-aa88-4cb5-98c8-7c232a2fa9cc&Preview=1 Date 2/1/2011 Company Name Offermobi Mailing Address Undisclosed Undisclosed, CT 06254 Company Description OfferMobi.com is the first affiliate network focused on the mobile web. Led by industry veterans and leaders, we strive to bring our partners the very best service, pricing, and overall strategy to ensure growth for everyone. Website http://www.offermobi.com … Continue reading “Offermobi Garners $1,000,000 New Funding”
Shopping on Mobile Phones is Going Mainstream — What Will it Mean to You?
This panel features speakers from mobile technology and e-commerce firms to explore what the explosion in mobile shopping means for businesses. Register here.
HBA Boston: The Future of Medicine: Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine
This panel will feature R&D experts to discuss clinical test development, diagnostics, and personalized medicine. They’ll take a look at the development process, regulatory hurdles, and ethical concerns surrounding the diagnostics field. Register here.
MIT Enterprise Forum Startup Clinic with CredoMatrix and Textaurant
This series of events invites area tech startups to showcase their product and business. This month’s installment will feature Textaurant, which provides a text message-based system for managing waiting times at restaurants, and CredoMatrix, a website featuring analytics on the opinions of political organizations. Register online.
Channeling the Data Tsunami: Use or Lose the Information — Big Opportunities from Infrastructure to Applications
This morning summit will spotlight innovative technologies and companies in the area of “big data,” including data capture, management, analytics, visualization, and storage. Execs from companies such as Greenplum, Apptegic, and TIBCO Spotfire will shed light on the subject. Register here. Xconomy readers can get a $50 discount off by using the code “xcon” when … Continue reading “Channeling the Data Tsunami: Use or Lose the Information — Big Opportunities from Infrastructure to Applications”
MassChallenge, With Lessons Learned, Gears Up for 2011 Startup Competition: A Definitive Debrief
It’s billed as the world’s largest startup competition and accelerator program, and it takes place right here in Boston. MassChallenge, coming off a successful first run in 2010, is gearing up to do it again this year—but not without some important changes and improvements to its structure. Last year, the Boston-area nonprofit organized a $1 … Continue reading “MassChallenge, With Lessons Learned, Gears Up for 2011 Startup Competition: A Definitive Debrief”
Alexion Pharma Gobbles Up Taligen in $111M Buyout
There’s big news for Taligen Therapeutics this morning. Cheshire, CT-based Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:[[ticker:ALXN]]) has bought the Cambridge, MA, biotech startup for $111 million and potential future payments, the buyer said today. The deal allows Alexion to obtain Taligen’s lead candidate, TT30, which Taligen had been developing as a potential rival to Alexion’s drug eculizumab (Soliris) … Continue reading “Alexion Pharma Gobbles Up Taligen in $111M Buyout”
Genzyme Lets Sanofi Conduct Due Diligence
Cambridge, MA-based biotech Genzyme (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GENZ]]) announced that its board has authorized the company to enter into a confidentiality agreement with Sanofi-Aventis to allow the firm to conduct due diligence on Genzyme, as part of Sanofi’s pursuit to purchase the biotech company. Genzyme has previously turned down Sanofi’s $18.5 billion ($69-per-share tender offer), but today’s … Continue reading “Genzyme Lets Sanofi Conduct Due Diligence”
Molecular Insight Pharma, Xconomy’s Neighbor, Faces Uncertain Future in Chapter 11
Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, which shares a floor with Xconomy in the building at 101 Rogers Street, is in financial trouble. The Cambridge, MA-based company, a developer of molecular medicines for cancer founded in 1997, has been in Chapter 11 since December 9. The company, which defaulted last year on a $150 million bond, has been … Continue reading “Molecular Insight Pharma, Xconomy’s Neighbor, Faces Uncertain Future in Chapter 11”
CloudTP Comes Out of Stealth, With $1M in Equity Seed Funding, to Help Big Companies Move Data to Their Own Private Clouds
Serial IT entrepreneur Chris Greendale is taking a crack at another company, which is involved in what he calls “carbon reduction by cloud computing. It’s not exactly the most commonly thought of means to sustainability, but his new firm, Boston-based CloudTP, is focused on helping firms reduce the need for their own physical data centers … Continue reading “CloudTP Comes Out of Stealth, With $1M in Equity Seed Funding, to Help Big Companies Move Data to Their Own Private Clouds”
Encouraging Women in Industry to Apply for Faculty Jobs
Over the years, I noticed that we’d hired some terrific faculty at the University of Washington who came directly from industry. These faculty members have quickly gotten up to speed, and they’ve loved their new academic careers. It occurred to me that this would be a great way to get more women faculty in science, … Continue reading “Encouraging Women in Industry to Apply for Faculty Jobs”
Uncle Sam Hearts Drugs, Not Devices. Why?
WTF! You can forgive medical device investors and CEOs if they’ve uttered that not-so-family-friendly acronym during the last year or so. First, the Food and Drug Administration signals it will likely tighten restrictions on the popular 510(k) regulatory program, which allows device makers to quickly develop new products that are slightly better or different than … Continue reading “Uncle Sam Hearts Drugs, Not Devices. Why?”
Floop Garners $300,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=12752850-6881-4ac2-af34-b484535f4780&Preview=1 Date 1/31/2011 Company Name Floop Mailing Address 1 Bradley Road Woodbridge, CT 06525 Company Description The company is developing a real-time interactive social network for mobile, iPad and the web that lets users express opinions and see what their friends and the World Bank. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Floop Garners $300,000 New Round”
How the Challenger Disaster Changed My Life
The space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff on January 28, 1986—twenty-five years ago today. The disaster took the lives of six astronauts and one schoolteacher, and shook NASA to its core. Like other televised national traumas, it burned itself into the memories of millions of people. I was just a spectator to the catastrophe, … Continue reading “How the Challenger Disaster Changed My Life”
New Oncology R&D House H3 Biomedicine Launches in Cambridge, With Eisai Support
A new cancer treatment R&D operation is starting up in Cambridge, MA, based on the work of Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT founding members Stuart Schreiber and Todd Golub. H3 Biomedicine announced it has launched to develop treatments tailored to patients’ cancers, as part of a partnership with the U.S. unit of the Japanese … Continue reading “New Oncology R&D House H3 Biomedicine Launches in Cambridge, With Eisai Support”
Merck, Staring at a Biotech Future, Seeks to Get in the Game With New Protein Drugs, Biosimilars
Biotech drugs will soon dominate the pharmaceutical industry, according to analyst estimates of what are projected to be the world’s top 10 selling therapies in 2014. Eight of these brands on this list are products of genetic engineering, while only two are traditional oral pills made through chemical synthesis. One other thing jumps out. Not … Continue reading “Merck, Staring at a Biotech Future, Seeks to Get in the Game With New Protein Drugs, Biosimilars”
Personalized Medicine Regulation Needs More Than Band-Aids
Last week, New York State assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow introduced the descriptively named “act to amend the insurance law, in relation to requiring coverage for genetic testing in accident and health insurance polices.” While not accompanied by a press release, or widely covered by media outlets, the bill merits close attention. While the substance of … Continue reading “Personalized Medicine Regulation Needs More Than Band-Aids”
Clinical Data Stock Soars on FDA Approval, Amgen Buys BioVex, Stromedix Raises $2M, & More Boston-Area Life Sciences News
We saw news of regulatory approvals, acquisitions, financings, and an even a new venture group surrounding Boston’s life sciences firms this week. —A European Medicines Agency committee advised against approval of fampridine (Fampyra), Weston, MA-based Biogen Idec’s drug for improving multiple sclerosis patients’ ability to walk. Biogen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]] says it will appeal the opinion. … Continue reading “Clinical Data Stock Soars on FDA Approval, Amgen Buys BioVex, Stromedix Raises $2M, & More Boston-Area Life Sciences News”
Rib-X Pharmaceuticals Garners $5,500,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2cfa96c8-dbb3-4f8b-b4d4-b9cfcd36445f&Preview=1 Date 1/28/2011 Company Name Rib-X Pharmaceuticals Mailing Address 300 George Street New Haven, CT 06511 Company Description Rib-X Pharmaceuticals is a product-driven small molecule drug discovery and development company focused on the structure-based design of new classes of antibiotics. The company’s underlying drug discovery engine capitalizes on its proprietary high-resolution crystal … Continue reading “Rib-X Pharmaceuticals Garners $5,500,000 New Round”
Heartland, Vertex Moving to Boston’s Waterfront
Cambridge, MA-based Heartland Robotics, the manufacturing robotics company founded by Rod Brooks, is moving into a larger office space in Boston’s Fort Point district next week, according to a report in Mass High Tech. The news comes on the heels of a Boston Globe report that says Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VRTX]]), also based in Cambridge, … Continue reading “Heartland, Vertex Moving to Boston’s Waterfront”
Shrinkage—Expanded Upon….
Poor investment returns have had a similar effect to cold water – the VC industry is shrinking. As a follow-up to comments I posted this past weekend, I wanted to look deeper into recent fundraising data and see what other implications one might draw. Since 1980 the VC industry has raised $495 billion across 4,333 … Continue reading “Shrinkage—Expanded Upon….”