Teachers have always tried to keep an eye out for cheating, and cheaters have always tried to conceal the tricks of the trade. But now surveillance is coming to higher education, from Boston-based startup ProctorCam, a maker of Web-based software for the live monitoring of test-takers remotely. The idea for the company came when founder … Continue reading “ProctorCam’s Web Technology Out to Monitor Online Testing From Afar”
Category: Boston
MIT Center for Biomedical Innovation’s Biomanufacturing Summit: Science to Manage Risk in Biomanufacturing
Learn how to mitigate risk in biomanufacturing through technology, at this all-day event, put on by the MIT Center for Biomedical Innovation. Presenters will discuss threats from viral contamination, product contamination, and variations in materials, as well as the technologies aimed at ensuring higher quality production and evaluation. Register here.
Genzyme Trims 185 MA Jobs
Cambridge, MA-based biotech Genzyme (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GENZ]]) revealed today that it will cut 185 jobs in the Bay State, as an initial implementation of its plan to trim 1,000 jobs across the company by the end of 2011, announced in September. Fifty-eight of the job reductions in Massachusetts will come from not filling open positions, and … Continue reading “Genzyme Trims 185 MA Jobs”
C3 Tour At Draper Laboratory
Here’s an opportunity that doesn’t come along often: the chance to get an insider view of Draper Labs, brought to you by the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. You’ll be able to check out the robotic spacecraft designed to hop on the moon and Mars, and find out what Draper is working on in the fields … Continue reading “C3 Tour At Draper Laboratory”
Daktari Brings In $1.8M
Daktari Diagnostics, a Cambridge, MA-based developer of an HIV diagnostics system for use in developing countries, has wrapped up $1.8 million in equity-based funding from 32 unnamed investors, according to an SEC filing. The firm has previously raised about $3.7 million, from a number individual investors, Hub Angels, Launchpad Venture Group, Mass Medical Angels, Norwich … Continue reading “Daktari Brings In $1.8M”
Super Angels Not So Super? Angel Investing Deals Up, But Dollars Down for 2010
For all the fuss about “super angels” and “angels are the new VCs,” a report out this week from the University of New Hampshire says angel investors are putting less money into companies overall, especially at the seed and startup stages, compared with previous years. Of course, there are many factors at play here. The … Continue reading “Super Angels Not So Super? Angel Investing Deals Up, But Dollars Down for 2010”
Debt, Equity Deals for Pathogenetix
Woburn, MA-based biotech Pathogenetix, formerly known as U.S. Genomics, has raised $1.3 million in equity-based funding, and $900,000 of a planned $1.2 million debt-based offering, according to filings with the SEC. U.S. Genomics developed biodefense and diagnostic technologies, and raised $4.5 million in private equity funding from Becton, Dickinson & Co in 2008, as part of … Continue reading “Debt, Equity Deals for Pathogenetix”
Bill Warner, Bill Taylor, and Diverse Mix of Startups Highlight “Big Tech Ideas” Roster on Dec. 8
If some is good, more is better. That’s certainly the case for “5×5: Five Cities, Five Big Tech Ideas,” the next Xconomy Forum taking place in Boston. It’s all happening on the afternoon of Dec. 8 at the Fidelity Center for Applied Technology, near South Station. We’ve got some big additions to the lineup. Bill … Continue reading “Bill Warner, Bill Taylor, and Diverse Mix of Startups Highlight “Big Tech Ideas” Roster on Dec. 8″
Biogen Announces Restructuring, FDA Approves Sunovion Drug, Acceleron Cuts Workforce, & More Boston-Area Life Sciences News
There was good news and bad news in the Boston life sciences scene this past week. Some companies announced layoffs and restructuring, while others attracted funding and won regulatory approval. —Sunovion Pharmaceuticals of Marlborough, MA, nabbed FDA approval for Latuda (lurasidone HCl), its once-daily, oral tablet for treating schizophrenia. The drug is expected to hit … Continue reading “Biogen Announces Restructuring, FDA Approves Sunovion Drug, Acceleron Cuts Workforce, & More Boston-Area Life Sciences News”
Charles River Labs Closing Molecular Imaging Facility in Ann Arbor
Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:[[ticker:CRL]]) is closing its discovery and molecular imaging facility in Ann Arbor, MI, as part of a plan to save the struggling company $40 million in annual expenses. The Wilmington, MA-based contract research firm reported yesterday that it’s cutting 4 percent of its global work force in response to weakened demand … Continue reading “Charles River Labs Closing Molecular Imaging Facility in Ann Arbor”
Biogen Idec Chief Aims to Make Firm More Like Biotech and Less Like Pharma with Restructuring Plan
Biogen Idec is returning to its biotech roots, in a way. The Weston, MA-based company (NASDAQ:[[ticker:BIIB]]) made headlines yesterday for its plans to cut 650 full-time jobs and narrow its research and development focus to emphasize its core expertise in neurology. And a big part of the restructuring plan, the firm’s CEO, George Scangos, says, … Continue reading “Biogen Idec Chief Aims to Make Firm More Like Biotech and Less Like Pharma with Restructuring Plan”
Oracle Buys ATG for $1B, Acquia Raises $8.5M, Boston Scientific Sells Unit to Stryker for $1.5B, & More Boston-Area Deals News
If you like deals with a “billion” in them, this was the week for you. —Software maker Neohapsis of Cambridge, MA, raised $4.5 million in a deal led by New Venture Partners and joined by return backers Trident Capital and Paladin Capital Group. Neohapsis, which targets the governance, risk, and compliance market, also acquired the … Continue reading “Oracle Buys ATG for $1B, Acquia Raises $8.5M, Boston Scientific Sells Unit to Stryker for $1.5B, & More Boston-Area Deals News”
New Venture Redstar In the Works From ATG Founders
The startup bug just keeps on biting for Joe Chung and Jeet Singh, founders of Cambridge, MA-based Art Technology Group. On the heels of news of Oracle’s $1 billion acquisition of ATG, a developer of software for e-commerce websites, Singh confirmed to Xconomy a growing rumor in the Boston innovation community—that the duo is working … Continue reading “New Venture Redstar In the Works From ATG Founders”
Practically Green Receives $750,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=edd48e5f-6b0f-45b7-842d-b7b41688aafc&Preview=1 Date 11/4/2010 Company Name Practically Green Mailing Address 545 Boylston St., Third Floor Boston, MA 02116 Company Description The company operates a website aimed at helping consumers lead eco-friendly lifestyles. Website http://www.practicallygreen.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $750,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes The company plans to use the financing … Continue reading “Practically Green Receives $750,000 New Funding Round”
Acceleron Pharma Cuts 40 Percent of Workforce
[Updated: 3:57 pm Eastern] One of the hot privately-held biotech companies in the Boston area, Acceleron Pharma, has made some significant job cuts. The Cambridge, MA-based company eliminated 57 jobs, or about 40 percent of its workforce, late last month, according to a story first reported today in the Boston Globe. Acceleron’s vice president of … Continue reading “Acceleron Pharma Cuts 40 Percent of Workforce”
Practically Green Gets $750K from CommonAngels and Others, Feedback from Consumers and Partners
Boston-based Practically Green, an Internet startup that has been called “Foursquare for green living,” has raised $750,000 in its first round of financing. Lexington, MA-based CommonAngels led the seed round, and about 25 individual investors participated, including John Landry of Lead Dog Ventures, Stephen McDonnell of Applegate Farms, Tom Matlack of The Good Men Project, … Continue reading “Practically Green Gets $750K from CommonAngels and Others, Feedback from Consumers and Partners”
Biogen Idec Offering Jobs to Quarter of San Diego Workers, While Most Get Layoff Notices
Weston, MA-based Biogen Idec (NASDAQ:[[ticker:BIIB]]) plans to lay off most of the 300 to 350 employees at the company’s San Diego research center as part of the restructuring plan announced this morning, Biogen spokeswoman Christina Chan said. The drug development company, which was created in the 2003 merger of Massachusetts’ based Biogen and San Diego’s … Continue reading “Biogen Idec Offering Jobs to Quarter of San Diego Workers, While Most Get Layoff Notices”
$20M Series A For Karyopharm to Fight Cancer
Karyopharm Therapeutics, a Newton, MA-based biotech focused on nuclear transport technology for applications in the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disease, and HIV, announced today that it has wrapped up a $20 million Series A financing from an an undisclosed group of investors.The startup is developing selective inhibitors of nuclear export (SINEs) designed to flag major … Continue reading “$20M Series A For Karyopharm to Fight Cancer”
Electrolytic Ozone Closes Series A
Wilmington, MA-based Electrolytic Ozone, a developer of novel ozone generator technology as a safe alternative to chemical and thermal sanitizers, announced today that it has completed its Series A financing. The company, which is a spinout of the global supermaterials company Element Six, did not reveal the financial details of the first-round funding, but an SEC … Continue reading “Electrolytic Ozone Closes Series A”
Biogen Idec Axes 650 Jobs, Closes San Diego Site, Bets Future on Neurology
Biogen Idec CEO George Scangos is putting his stamp on the direction of the company, by making some bold moves to cut jobs, facilities, and drug development programs. It’s all part of a bid to make a bigger impact in one area—neurology. Weston, MA-based Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]), the world’s largest maker of multiple sclerosis … Continue reading “Biogen Idec Axes 650 Jobs, Closes San Diego Site, Bets Future on Neurology”
Why Rich Levandov Invested Early in Zynga, and Why It Took Off—Lessons Every Entrepreneur Should Consider
On the last day of September, San Diego-based Avalon Ventures announced a closing of $161 million for its new fund—Avalon IX—on its way toward an upper target of $200 million. Avalon is an 18-year-old firm—storied in San Diego but not fantastically well known nationally—still led by founder Kevin Kinsella. Avalon made its name in biotech. … Continue reading “Why Rich Levandov Invested Early in Zynga, and Why It Took Off—Lessons Every Entrepreneur Should Consider”
Energesis Pharmaceuticals, Co-Founded by Sirtris Vet, Seeks to Tap Power of “Good Fat” in Fighting Obesity and Diabetes
It’s a case of good fat versus bad fat. Scientists have discovered recently that so-called brown fat, long known to be present in animals and human infants, might also play an important role in the metabolic functions of adult humans. Now Energesis Pharmaceuticals, a Boston-area startup, wants to use its founders’ knowledge of this phenomenon … Continue reading “Energesis Pharmaceuticals, Co-Founded by Sirtris Vet, Seeks to Tap Power of “Good Fat” in Fighting Obesity and Diabetes”
Karyopharm Therapeutics Garners $20,000,000 Series A Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d9344d3d-2f44-4e24-9f9a-9a299c4d09ba&Preview=1 Date 11/3/2010 Company Name Karyopharm Therapeutics Mailing Address Undisclosed Newton, MA 02456 Company Description Karyopharm Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of novel drugs for the treatment of cancer, inflammation and diseases related to cell proliferation. Website http://www.karyopharm.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $20,000,000 Transaction Round Series … Continue reading “Karyopharm Therapeutics Garners $20,000,000 Series A Financing”
In Cleantech, Who’s Looking for Money, Who’s Hiring, and What’s the Role of Government Financing? Find Out at Clean Energy Conference
It’s “Clean Energy Week” here in Massachusetts—that entails a bunch of events in and around Boston on the theme of alternative energy and cleantech. I’m particularly looking forward to the biggest one, the Sixth Conference on Clean Energy, which is happening tomorrow and Thursday at the Hynes Convention Center. The conference, co-produced by the Massachusetts … Continue reading “In Cleantech, Who’s Looking for Money, Who’s Hiring, and What’s the Role of Government Financing? Find Out at Clean Energy Conference”
Oracle Buys Art Technology Group For $1B; ATG Founder Joe Chung Expresses Pride, Nostalgia
[Updated 11/2/10 2:00 pm ET. See below] Cambridge, MA-based Art Technology Group, which develops software platforms for e-commerce websites, announced today that it will be bought by Redwood Shores, CA-based database giant Oracle (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ORCL]]) for a total of $1 billion in cash, at $6 per share. ATG (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARTG]]) saw its stock price climb more … Continue reading “Oracle Buys Art Technology Group For $1B; ATG Founder Joe Chung Expresses Pride, Nostalgia”
Changing of the Guard: 10 New CEOs in New England Tech, Life Sciences, and Energy
‘Tis the season for new chief executives in the Boston area. In the past month or so, we’ve seen no fewer than 10 newly announced CEOs at technology, life sciences, and cleantech companies. So we thought we’d round them up and look for any interesting patterns. It’s a pretty good mix of public (4) and … Continue reading “Changing of the Guard: 10 New CEOs in New England Tech, Life Sciences, and Energy”
Via Science Forms to Launch “Big Data” Analytics Startups
Entrepreneur Colin Hill has formalized his plans to create new data analytics startups with the launch of Via Science. The Cambridge, MA-based firm will serve as part holding company of Hill’s previous two companies, GNS Healthcare and Fina Technologies, and part incubator for hatching new startups, Hill says. Via Science is the corporate vehicle that … Continue reading “Via Science Forms to Launch “Big Data” Analytics Startups”
Nuclea Biotechnologies Obtains $5,479,450 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=cbbc19e2-4540-43bf-a735-333c0d4614bb&Preview=1 Date 11/2/2010 Company Name Nuclea Biotechnologies Mailing Address 105 South Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 Company Description Nuclea Biotechnologies’ primary mission is to conduct genomic research in the oncology field so as to discover biomarkers and gene or protein expression profiles that are unique to oncologic diseases. Website http://www.nucleabiomarkers.com Transaction Type Venture … Continue reading “Nuclea Biotechnologies Obtains $5,479,450 New Round”
Adapteva Garners $975,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6bf87af0-4312-4ba2-80dc-3b254eae1f56&Preview=1 Date 11/2/2010 Company Name Adapteva Mailing Address 1666 Massachusetts Ave. Lexington, MA 02420 Company Description Adapteva Inc. is a privately held fabless semiconductor company based in Lexington, Massachusetts that has developed the the world’s most energy efficient multicore microprocessors. Website http://www.adapteva.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $975,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed … Continue reading “Adapteva Garners $975,000 New Funding Round”
Ironwood Passes 4th Big Trial
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:IRWD]]), the Cambridge, MA-based biotech company, said today that it passed its fourth major clinical trial of its lead drug candidate. The company, along with its partner Forest Laboratories, said that their experimental drug linaclotide showed a statistically significant benefit on all four primary study goals, when compared against a placebo for … Continue reading “Ironwood Passes 4th Big Trial”
Sixth Conference on Clean Energy
Information, agenda, and registration here. Organized by the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center and Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition. Two action-packed days designed to provide you with the latest investment opportunities, business insights, career options, and fund-raising strategies, from seed to Stimulus. Investor Pitches: More than two dozen early stage companies and licensing opportunities will be showcased in … Continue reading “Sixth Conference on Clean Energy”
IEEE International Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security
This three-day technical conference is out to spotlight which segments of science and technology are contributing to the homeland security field. Sessions will focus on topics such as cyber security, disaster recovery and response, land and maritime border security, and business development and user experience of homeland security-focused technologies. Register online.
HBS Entrepreneurship Club Conference: Ignite 2010
Experienced entrepreneurs will discuss getting ventures off the ground and building them into successful businesses, at this all-day, Harvard Business School-hosted event. Panels will target non-technical founders, and issues in product development. Register here.
Punchbowl Mixer
This event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and social media marketers together to dish on what makes Boston a hotspot for Web companies. Come for the networking, and be sure to RSVP for this one.
MIT $100K Elevator Pitch Contest Winning Teams Are Out To Innovate In Aircraft Freight, Bees, And Sustainable Supply Chains
The Elevator Pitch Contest is a leg of MIT’s $100K Entrepreneurship Competition where aspiring student entrepreneurs have just 60 seconds to wow the judges (and the audience) with why their idea is the Next Big Thing. That means getting their pitches down to as few words as possible. And this year, at the fourth annual … Continue reading “MIT $100K Elevator Pitch Contest Winning Teams Are Out To Innovate In Aircraft Freight, Bees, And Sustainable Supply Chains”
Provident Healthcare Ventures Launches
Provident Healthcare Ventures is publicly launching this week to make early-stage venture and middle-market private equity investments in the healthcare sector, said Bill Shepard, a managing director of the Boston group. The group was formed with $25 million in funding commitments from the Boston investment-banking firm Provident Healthcare Partners and others, including Shepard and Bob … Continue reading “Provident Healthcare Ventures Launches”
Angel Groups: Nuts and Bolts
Looking to get into the startup investing world? This event seeks to tell you what steps to take before getting off the ground as a VC, angel investor, or entrepreneur. Leaders from area angel investing groups like CommonAngels and Golden Seeds will share some of their insights. This event is free, but register here.
2010 Mass Technology Leadership Awards
Come see who the Mass Technology Leadership Council recognizes as the top names in innovation in the state this year. The award finalists come from area companies such as EnerNOC, Veracode, SpaceClaim, Tatara Systems, Gazelle, and many more. Register online for this one.
Third Annual Boston Cleantech Venture Day
This full-day event seeks to connect those working in cleantech in Europe with those powering the industry here. The companies from abroad will pitch their ideas to investors and potential business partners in the Boston area. Register here.
$8.5M Series C for Acquia
Woburn, MA-based IT startup Acquia said today that it has brought in $8.5 million in a Series C financing, from returning backers North Bridge Venture Partners and Sigma Partners, alongside Acquia CEO Tom Erickson. The company, which raised $8 million in series B funding in July 2009, sells IT services and technical support to users of … Continue reading “$8.5M Series C for Acquia”
Amag Pharma Cutting 68 Jobs
Lexington, MA-based Amag Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:[[ticker:AMAG]]) said last week that it planned to cut 68 jobs or 24 percent of its work force to reduce its expenses. The cuts were announced along with the firm’s third-quarter financing results, which included a lackluster $15.1 million in revenue from sales of ferumoxytol (Feraheme), a drug for treating iron … Continue reading “Amag Pharma Cutting 68 Jobs”
How I’ve Discovered Twitter Can Be a Resource, Not a Waste of Time
“If you’re so busy, why do you spend so much time on Twitter?” So asks a member of my household who shall go unnamed here. Well, here’s why. Twitter has become my primary source for news, my point of contact with the important people in my life, and my connection to a rich and growing … Continue reading “How I’ve Discovered Twitter Can Be a Resource, Not a Waste of Time”
Boston Robotics Firms, While Making Strides, Could Lose Their Edge to Google and the Valley
None of this would have happened 10 years ago. Where to begin? Last month, I walked into a room of about a dozen robotics experts and technology startup investors. It was one of the sessions at the MassTLC Innovation “unConference” in Boston. The discussion centered around how to build a successful robotics company. But it … Continue reading “Boston Robotics Firms, While Making Strides, Could Lose Their Edge to Google and the Valley”
The Future of Health IT—Video Clips From Athenahealth’s Jonathan Bush & Others at Xconomy Debate
A few weeks ago, we hosted an Xconomy Xchange evening featuring Jonathan Bush, CEO of Watertown, MA-based Athenahealth (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ATHN]]), and Girish Navani, his counterpart at Westborough, MA-based eClinicalWorks. With Pam McNamara, president of Cambridge Consultants, wielding a gavel to moderate, the two competitors discussed and debated the future of health IT. You can read … Continue reading “The Future of Health IT—Video Clips From Athenahealth’s Jonathan Bush & Others at Xconomy Debate”
Acquia Receives Series C Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=10d8a1ce-dba8-4e2d-ae40-4070a10f4dc3&Preview=1 Date 11/1/2010 Company Name Acquia Mailing Address 150 Presidential Way Woburn, MA 01810 Company Description Acquia is a new software company that will provide value-added software products and services for the Drupal web collaboration and publishing platform. Website http://www.acquia.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Series C Proceeds … Continue reading “Acquia Receives Series C Funding Round”
FDA Approves Sunovion Schizophrenia Drug
Marlborough, MA-based drugmaker Sunovion Pharmaceuticals has announced that the FDA approved its once-daily, oral tablet for treating schizophrenia. The drug, Latuda (lurasidone HCl), is expected to be available in the U.S. early next year, Sunovion said. The drug company has six other FDA-approved drugs, including the insomnia treatment Lunesta; Omnaris, a nasal spray for treating allergy symptoms; … Continue reading “FDA Approves Sunovion Schizophrenia Drug”
Keane, NTT Data to Merge
Keane, a Boston-based IT services firm, announced today that it has entered into a merger agreement with Japan-based NTT Data, in which its parent company Keane International will merge with Knight Subsidiary Corporation, a unit of NTT Data. Keane will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTT Data as a result of the merger. “We are … Continue reading “Keane, NTT Data to Merge”
A Silicon Valley Prescription for Boston and Other Startup Hubs: Throw More Parties
A few friends have asked me how my life has changed since I moved from Boston to San Francisco to open Xconomy’s Bay Area bureau. Do you want to know the real answer? I drink more. A lot more. In the Silicon Valley technology startup world that I cover, there’s at least one cocktail party, … Continue reading “A Silicon Valley Prescription for Boston and Other Startup Hubs: Throw More Parties”
Antigenics Expands Experimental Cancer Treatment, Novartis Adds to Cambridge Presence, Boston Scientific Sells Unit to Stryker, & More Boston-Area Life Sciences News
It was a meaty life sciences news week for us that was finished off with a scoop on a legal entanglement between a biotech startup, a research institute, and a big drugmaker. We also had profile stories on some interesting health IT companies, as well as breaking news on clinical trials and expansion moves by … Continue reading “Antigenics Expands Experimental Cancer Treatment, Novartis Adds to Cambridge Presence, Boston Scientific Sells Unit to Stryker, & More Boston-Area Life Sciences News”
PeerTransfer Picks Up $1.1M from Spark, Other Prominent Investors
Boston-area-based peerTransfer, a financial services software startup, said today it has raised its first financing round from an impressive list of venture capitalists and angel investors. The news was reported by the New York Times and other media outlets. This financing is news because of the core idea and who the investors are, more than … Continue reading “PeerTransfer Picks Up $1.1M from Spark, Other Prominent Investors”