Dyax (NASDAQ:[[ticker:DYAX]]), a Cambridge, MA-based biotech company, reports today that it has sold its rights to royalties and fees from sales of a hemophilia treatment it discovered to Paul Capital Healthcare for up to $12 million. The deal includes a $10 million upfront payment and up to $2 million in milestone payments tied to sales … Continue reading “Dyax in $12M Royalty Deal”
Category: Boston
Xconomy Opens in Detroit to Tell a Vital Story of Innovation and Economic Transformation
Even as the Detroit Red Wings seek to battle back in their NHL playoff series against the Phoenix Coyotes, entrepreneurs and innovators in Michigan are working overtime to help the state meet an economic challenge far more imposing than the Coyotes are on ice. That’s how we see it here at Xconomy, and that’s why … Continue reading “Xconomy Opens in Detroit to Tell a Vital Story of Innovation and Economic Transformation”
Boston’s LED Cluster: Lighting Up Everything From Projectors to the Pru
Boston isn’t Houston as far as energy industry hubs go. But here in New England, there is a lot of innovation with light-emitting diodes, these energy-conserving tools that can be found everywhere from homes to warehouses to urban skyscrapers, and embedded in products like TVs, projectors, medical devices, and software systems. Light-emitting diodes, which are … Continue reading “Boston’s LED Cluster: Lighting Up Everything From Projectors to the Pru”
Twitter Pitch Contest at MIT
The organizers of the MIT’s $100K Entrepreneurship Competition, which is celebrating its 20th year in 2010, announced last week the newest addition to their lineup of contests: a $500 Twitter pitch or “Twitch” competition. Anyone can enter by tweeting their business idea in 140 character or less, reserving 11 characters for the required hash tag … Continue reading “Twitter Pitch Contest at MIT”
Javelin Pharma Dumps Myriad for Hospira
Javelin Pharmaceuticals (AMEX:[[ticker:JAV]]), a Cambridge, MA-based developer of pain treatments, reports today that it has nixed its merger agreement with Myriad Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:[[ticker:MYRX]]) and accepted a $145 million buyout offer from the specialty drugmaker Hospira. Lake Forest, IL-based Hospira (NYSE:[[ticker:HSP]]) plans to begin its tender offer to acquire shares of Javelin’s common stock on Wednesday … Continue reading “Javelin Pharma Dumps Myriad for Hospira”
Hygeia Completes $1M Series A
Hygeia Therapeutics, a Holden, MA, developer of hormone-based topical drugs, has closed a $1 million round of Series A funding, the company announced today. Hygeia did not reveal the investors in the round, but said the funding will go to testing its topical synthetic estrogen drug designed to treat age-related skin thinning, and will fuel … Continue reading “Hygeia Completes $1M Series A”
The Capital Network: Raising Capital for CleanTech
Calling early-stage cleantech companies: come learn how to distinguish the different funding opportunities—such as VC, angel funding, government grants, and utility partnerships—that you could be using to get off the ground. A cleantech company founder and a state official will explain how your startup can attract funding, at this event sponsored by The Capital Network. … Continue reading “The Capital Network: Raising Capital for CleanTech”
Mobile Meets the Marathon
Everyone around Boston gets into the marathon spirit on Patriot’s Day, even startups. Today, two Boston-based mobile companies are using the event to highlight their technologies. One is Skyhook Wireless, which makes the software that iPhones, Dell notebook computers, and other mobile devices use to determine their locations based on GPS and Wi-Fi signals. Last … Continue reading “Mobile Meets the Marathon”
MITEF of Cambridge: In-NOW-vation Technology Showcase and Celebration
Come mingle with area entrepreneurs, whose technologies facilitate kids’ used clothing swaps, make online shopping a bit more personal, aid you in searches on your mobile phone, and create social networks, virtual worlds, and online gaming. Cambridge’s MIT Enterprise Forum will be hosting this open house, with drinks, networking,and demos. Event-goers will vote on what … Continue reading “MITEF of Cambridge: In-NOW-vation Technology Showcase and Celebration”
MITEF of Cambridge Life Sciences & Healthcare SIG- Early-Stage Investing: Where the Money’s Going
Life sciences venture capitalists will discuss opportunities they’re finding in early-stage biotech and medical devices companies, despite what seems to be a dropoff in funding, at this MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge-hosted discussion. They’ll also be sharing which life sciences and healthcare technologies they find most promising. You can register for this one here.
MITEF of Cambridge Software SIG: Marketing with No Budget
Entrepreneurs who have managed to market their products at minimal cost will dish at this MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge event. Come hear about their strategies for getting buzz out through blogs and viral video, and share your experiences in the space, too. Register here.
Tangoe Files for $75M IPO
Tangoe, an Orange, CT-based provider of enterprise communication management software, has filed for an initial public offering of $75 million in common stock. The proceeds from the IPO will go to paying down the company’s debt, as well as increasing capital for financing growth, developing new products, and funding potential future investments and acquisitions, the … Continue reading “Tangoe Files for $75M IPO”
Massachusetts is the Unsung Hotbed for Video Games, MIT Conference Panelists Say
When it comes to the video game industry in Massachusetts, “we have a major brand problem,” says Jason Schupbach, the creative economy industry director of the Massachusetts Department of Business Development. “We have an amazing technology community here, but we don’t have a huge history of consumer-facing brands being based here,” he said at a … Continue reading “Massachusetts is the Unsung Hotbed for Video Games, MIT Conference Panelists Say”
Cambridge Science Festival- Advances in Biomedicine: From Bench to Bedside
Pharmaceutical companies will dish on how their technologies make it from development to drugs, at this session of the Cambridge Science Festival. They’ll cover topics from stem cell technology to protein engineering to metabolomics, and even the importance of collaboration. E-mail to register.
Technology Night in Kendall Square
It’s open door night for area tech companies. Neighborhood institutions—from Microsoft to the Cambridge Innovation Center—will give you a peek inside their operations, as part of Cambridge’s Science Festival.
Cambridge Science Festival: Big Ideas for Busy People
Here’s an event that cuts to the chase. Area thinkers in science and technology will each give five-minute presentations on an array of ideas, at this Cambridge Science Festival session.
Legal Issues for Startups: What Every Entreprenuer Should Know
WilmerHale lawyers and Jeffrey McCarthy, of North Bridge Venture Partners, will discuss legal to-dos for new businesses, from start to finish. Get their take on startup law issues, including licensing technology, hiring employees, getting government funding, and preparing for an initial public offering or a merger. RSVP here.
MITEF Energy SIG: Seizing the Energy Efficiency Opportunity
When it comes to energy efficiency, there’s plenty of green available beyond environmental gain. Learn how make a business opportunity out of the growing buzz surrounding energy efficiency, and check out companies that are innovating in various aspects of the energy supply chain, at this event put on by the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge. … Continue reading “MITEF Energy SIG: Seizing the Energy Efficiency Opportunity”
Surveys Agree on Rising Tide of VC Activity, But Differ on the Ebb and Flow
After running the early returns on first-quarter venture activity, we got some additional perspective from other sources over the weekend that show an ebb of VC investments in life sciences startups and a surge in energy deals. All three VC surveys—from Dow Jones, MoneyTree, and CB Insights—showed an overall rising tide compared with the first … Continue reading “Surveys Agree on Rising Tide of VC Activity, But Differ on the Ebb and Flow”
American Competitiveness Hinges on Clean Energy
Energy is a $6 trillion global industry, and will likely grow to more than $10 trillion by mid-century. As clean energy replaces carbon-based energy sources around the world, new markets employing millions of people will emerge. Countries like China recognize this opportunity, and are racing decisively ahead. Meanwhile, the United States’ inaction is relegating our … Continue reading “American Competitiveness Hinges on Clean Energy”
Metagenomix Secures New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9f57c4d6-868a-4c32-bd28-0ba721c79edb&Preview=1 Date 4/19/2010 Company Name Metagenomix Mailing Address 41 Cumpstone Rd Hamden, CT 06518-2424 Company Description Metagenomix Inc is a private company categorized under Wholesale Pharmaceutical Products and located in Hamden, CT. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of $100,000 and employs a staff of approximately 2. Website Undisclosed … Continue reading “Metagenomix Secures New Funding Round”
Brain Tunnelgenix Lands $250,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=df82e787-fab0-4c6e-8426-166338ea0280&Preview=1 Date 4/19/2010 Company Name Brain Tunnelgenix Mailing Address 375 Mather Street Hamden, CT 06514 Company Description Brain Tunnelgenix Technologies Corp. (BTT Corp.) is a company unlike any the world has seen before. We are a company uniquely built not only on the power of science, but above all a company that … Continue reading “Brain Tunnelgenix Lands $250,000 New Funding”
FMP Products Garners New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a0d32493-9dfb-4121-9ad5-1e11a7de0ee1&Preview=1 Date 4/19/2010 Company Name FMP Products Mailing Address 100 Melrose Greenwich, CT 06830 Company Description FMP develops laboratory automation solutions for the pharmaceutical, general research, clinical research and clinical diagnostics marketplace. with over 100 years in combined research experience the FMP team offers customers a wealth of knowledge and insight regarding … Continue reading “FMP Products Garners New Funding”
Hygeia Therapeutics Obtains $1,000,000 Series A Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c3e671ff-ddbe-409c-be67-3767b20b9440&Preview=1 Date 4/19/2010 Company Name Hygeia Therapeutics Mailing Address 8 Canterbury Lane Holden Holden, MA 01520 Company Description Hygeia Therapeutics acquires and develops biodegradable hormone-receptor modulators for topical indications. Website http://www.hygeiatherapeutics.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,000,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes The funding will go to testing its topical … Continue reading “Hygeia Therapeutics Obtains $1,000,000 Series A Round”
MDSolarSciences Secures $4,000,000 Series A Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=28677f59-3268-40df-b7f6-cb0498f28af6&Preview=1 Date 4/19/2010 Company Name MDSolarSciences Mailing Address 40 Richards Avenue Norwalk, CT 06854 Company Description MDSolarSciences, a physician driven primary skin cancer prevention company, recognizes the need for a broad range of state-of-the-science and state-of-the-art ultraviolet radiation protection products. As such, we dedicate our efforts to bringing a world-class line of … Continue reading “MDSolarSciences Secures $4,000,000 Series A Round”
MITEF of Cambridge RFID SIG: Next Generation Electronic Payment Solutions
It seems there’s nothing mobile platforms can’t accomplish, even paying for transactions. Come learn how Japan’s mobile, e-payment system might be bound for use across the globe, at this event put on by the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge,
Oracle Scoops Up Phase Forward for $685 Million
Phase Forward (NASDAQ: [[ticker:PFWD]]), the Waltham, MA-based maker of software that helps pharmaceutical companies manage clinical trials of new drugs, will be acquired by California database giant Oracle (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ORCL]]), the companies announced today. Phase Forward, which is fetching a price of $685 million or $17 per share, will become part of Oracle’s Health Sciences … Continue reading “Oracle Scoops Up Phase Forward for $685 Million”
Online Notebook Smackdown: Evernote Vs. Springpad
I’m a digital pack rat, which means I tend to get unreasonably excited about online notekeeping systems. I’m driven by the conviction that there’s got to be one best way to use the Internet to save and retrieve every bit of information I might want to look at later, whether that means Web clippings, important … Continue reading “Online Notebook Smackdown: Evernote Vs. Springpad”
Genzyme Activist Joins Board, Agios Clinches Deal With Celgene, Third Rock Seeks $400M New Fund, & More Boston-Area Life Sciences News
Looks like last week’s flurry of information technology news is long gone. Headlines of partnerships, board appointments, and venture funding in biotech companies made it a busy life sciences news week for us. —MedVentive, a Waltham, MA-based provider of software for tracking medical data, raised a $10 million series C round. MedVentive got part of … Continue reading “Genzyme Activist Joins Board, Agios Clinches Deal With Celgene, Third Rock Seeks $400M New Fund, & More Boston-Area Life Sciences News”
Fidelis Security Systems Garners $2,300,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=bef6ee68-530c-41ba-b978-d0d2a2510ba0&Preview=1 Date 4/16/2010 Company Name Fidelis Security Systems Mailing Address 1601 Trapelo Road Waltham, MA 02451 Company Description Fidelis Security Systems’s DataSafe is the first Extrusion Prevention System and the only network security solution that prevents the unauthorized network transfer of critical or sensitive information on gigabit speed networks. Website http://www.fidelissecurity.com Transaction … Continue reading “Fidelis Security Systems Garners $2,300,000 New Round”
Genocea Gets $2.7M for Malaria Vaccine
Genocea Biosciences, the Cambridge, MA-based developer of vaccines, said today it has been granted $2.7 million to work on discovering a new malaria vaccine. The grant is from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command as part of a research collaboration with the Naval Medical Research Center. Genocea will use its technology to find … Continue reading “Genocea Gets $2.7M for Malaria Vaccine”
Taligen Adds Maraganore to Board
Taligen Therapeutics, the Cambridge, MA-based developer of treatments for inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, said today it has added John Maraganore to its board of directors. Maraganore is the CEO of Cambridge, MA-based Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ALNY]]) a leader in developing RNA interference treatments. Separately, Taligen said it added two members to its management team: Sven … Continue reading “Taligen Adds Maraganore to Board”
Daily Grommet Raises $3.4 Million
The Daily Grommet just hit the daily double. The Lexington, MA-based startup, which scouts out consumer products from colorful, progressive, relatively unknown manufacturers and promotes one such “grommet” each day through online videos, announced today that it has closed the first tranche of its Series A funding round at $3.4 million. Existing investors LaunchCapital and … Continue reading “Daily Grommet Raises $3.4 Million”
Celgene Pumps $130M Upfront into Agios Pharma for Drugs that Starve Cancer Cells
[Updated, 4/15/10, 11:07 am ET—See editor’s note] Hungry cancer cells beware. Cambridge, MA-based Agios Pharmaceuticals has become $130 million richer through its new deal with the venerable drugmaker Celgene to advance drugs intended to starve cancer cells to death, the companies report this morning. Summit, NJ-based Celgene (NASDAQ:[[ticker:CELG]]) is paying big bucks to Agios in … Continue reading “Celgene Pumps $130M Upfront into Agios Pharma for Drugs that Starve Cancer Cells”
Genzyme Adds Whitworth to Board, Agrees to Add One More Director to Activist’s Liking
Genzyme (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GENZ]]]), the Cambridge, MA-based biotech giant, said today it has added Ralph Whitworth of Relational Investors in San Diego to its board, confirming a report from last night by the Wall Street Journal. Whitworth, who oversees a $6 billion fund that is one of Genzyme’s largest shareholders, will now have inside access to … Continue reading “Genzyme Adds Whitworth to Board, Agrees to Add One More Director to Activist’s Liking”
Catabasis Pharmaceuticals Pockets $7.7M out of $40M Venture Round
Catabasis Pharmaceuticals has just raised a load of cash. The Cambridge, MA-based biotech company has raked in an initial $7.7 million in equity financing out of a venture round that could be worth as much as $39.7 million, according to a regulatory filing. The company, which lists an address at 161 First Street in Cambridge, … Continue reading “Catabasis Pharmaceuticals Pockets $7.7M out of $40M Venture Round”
Casual Games Maker WorldWinner Falls into Facebook’s Orbit
When I visited WorldWinner back in March 2008, executives at the Newton, MA-based game developer were excited about the company’s ongoing integration with the Game Show Network (GSN) and by its success attracting huge numbers of people—some 26 million each year—to its tournament-based online casual games. But chief technology officer Michael Enright, answering a question … Continue reading “Casual Games Maker WorldWinner Falls into Facebook’s Orbit”
MassChallenge Launches $1 Million Global Business Competition to Fuel State’s Innovation Economy
MassChallenge, a Boston-area nonprofit focused on encouraging innovation, is “convinced that entrepreneurship is the answer” for everything to unemployment to the housing crisis to pollution, in the words of CEO and co-founder John Harthorne. To put its money where its mouth is, the organization is unleashing a global startup competition with $1 million available in … Continue reading “MassChallenge Launches $1 Million Global Business Competition to Fuel State’s Innovation Economy”
Catabasis Pharmaceuticals Secures $7,700,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0b53ebc6-9820-41c1-90a3-1da5f7f2ce5d&Preview=1 Date 4/15/2010 Company Name Catabasis Pharmaceuticals Mailing Address 161 First Street Cambridge, MA 02142 Company Description At Catabasis we are dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative, effective and safe medicines to treat inflammatory and metabolic diseases. We have assembled a team of highly motivated and experienced scientists who are … Continue reading “Catabasis Pharmaceuticals Secures $7,700,000 New Financing”
Daily Grommet Garners $3,400,000 Series A Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ed0467d1-ab5f-4d4c-b2a1-94b4fc931e4b&Preview=1 Date 4/15/2010 Company Name Daily Grommet Mailing Address 6 Wallis Court Lexington, MA 02421 Company Description At the heart of it, we’re a bunch of regular folks with a passion for finding Grommets; wonderful products–with interesting stories–that people would love to know about. We’re independent—no one pays us to select a … Continue reading “Daily Grommet Garners $3,400,000 Series A Funding Round”
MediaMath Acquires Adroit Interactive for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d74ff013-c6d3-4ad2-b760-e09e76ec8429&Preview=1 Date 4/15/2010 Company Name Adroit Interactive Mailing Address 945 Concord Street Framingham, MA 01701 Company Description Adroit Interactive was founded by a team of former ad agency executives and technologists who saw a problem that needed a solution. The problem is one that every agency and brand faces: how to make … Continue reading “MediaMath Acquires Adroit Interactive for Undisclosed Sum”
Oracle Corp. Acquires Phase Forward for $685,000,000
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6fe2b02e-32b1-4ebf-b6ed-d9b725cfa009&Preview=1 Date 4/15/2010 Company Name Phase Forward Mailing Address 880 Winter Street Waltham, MA 02451 Company Description Phase Forward (Nasdaq: PFWD) is a leading provider of integrated data management solutions for clinical trials and drug safety. The company offers proven solutions for electronic data capture (InForm(TM)), clinical data management (Clintrial(TM)), clinical trials … Continue reading “Oracle Corp. Acquires Phase Forward for $685,000,000”
Aptera Rolls Out Newest Model, Says It’s On the Road to Financial Stability
After lying low for much of the past year, startup automaker Aptera Motors of Vista, CA, said it has secured at least $10 million in VC funding and unveiled the latest version of its three-wheel vehicle—powered entirely by a battery from A123 Systems of Watertown, MA. At a media briefing staged yesterday in the hangar … Continue reading “Aptera Rolls Out Newest Model, Says It’s On the Road to Financial Stability”
Foundation Medicine Raises $25M to Get to the Bottom of Cancer Genomes
The trick to beating cancer could be a single test that shows all known genetic traits in each person’s tumor, and that also matches those results to the best treatments. Boston-based Foundation Medicine reports today that it has raised the first part of a planned $25 million round of Series A venture funding to make … Continue reading “Foundation Medicine Raises $25M to Get to the Bottom of Cancer Genomes”
Genzyme Adds Whitworth to Board, WSJ Says
Genzyme (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GENZ]]), the Cambridge, MA-based biotech giant, has agreed to add Ralph Whitworth, the prominent San Diego activist investor, to its board of directors immediately, according to a report this evening on the Wall Street Journal’s website, which cited a person familiar with the matter. Adding Whitworth could make things more difficult for another … Continue reading “Genzyme Adds Whitworth to Board, WSJ Says”
PerkinElmer Buys Signature for $90M
PerkinElmer (NYSE: [[ticker:PKI]]), the maker of scientific instruments based in Waltham, MA, said today it has agreed to acquire Spokane, WA-based Signature Genomic Laboratories for about $90 million in cash, according to a regulatory filing. The move will enable PerkinElmer to strengthen its genetic testing services and expand into molecular diagnostics, particularly cancer diagnostics, according … Continue reading “PerkinElmer Buys Signature for $90M”
For A123, Government Funding Brings Both Job Creation and Innovation, CEO Says
A123Systems president and CEO David Vieau says some investors have questioned whether the company’s aggressive pursuit of federal funding for lithium-ion battery production is a sign that the company doesn’t have a sustainble business without government support. But for A123 (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AONE]]), “it really is about jobs,” Vieau said yesterday at a fireside chat-style discussion … Continue reading “For A123, Government Funding Brings Both Job Creation and Innovation, CEO Says”
Schupbach Takes NEA Role
Jason Schupbach, the first state official in the country tasked with promoting the “creative economy,” will be leaving his position with the Massachusetts Office of Business Development effective May 5 to become director of design at the National Endowment for Arts in Washington, D.C., the NEA announced today. Schupbach’s role at the endowment will be … Continue reading “Schupbach Takes NEA Role”
Third Rock Eying $400M Second Fund
Third Rock Ventures, a Boston venture firm focused on life sciences investments, has filed papers with the SEC to raise a second fund. The proposed amount of the new fund is $400 million, yet the paperwork indicates that none of those funds had been raised as of the April 9 filing. Still, this is good … Continue reading “Third Rock Eying $400M Second Fund”
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”