Genzyme announced today that results from a key study of hylastan, a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee, failed to meet the company’s efficacy target. Happily for the company, it has a more viable alternative already in the works. The hylastan study involved nearly 400 patients being treated at 27 sites in Europe and North … Continue reading “Genzyme Arthritis Treatment Misses Goal in Pivotal Trial; Company Will Pursue Alternative Strategy”
Category: Boston
Future Forward
One of the area’s leading annual events for business and technology leaders, Future Forward brings together New England’s leading executives, entrepreneurs, academics, and investors to probe the ways that innovative technologies are effectively developed and commercialized.
Reconfiguring Labor Markets, Pondering the Meaning of Life
Rod Brooks has two small tasks in mind as he leaves the MIT academic bureaucracy he’s known for the last decade and dives back into hands-on science. “One is to restructure the world’s labor markets, the other is to discover the meaning of life.” Last week, when I reported on Brooks stepping down as director … Continue reading “Reconfiguring Labor Markets, Pondering the Meaning of Life”
Biotech Takes on Toxic Drugs
Nothing robs pharma officials of more sleep than unexpected toxicity linked to one of their companies’ medicines. Recently they’ve lost more shuteye than ever as reports on cardiac risks of widely-used diabetes drugs have fanned public anxiety about drug hazards. Now Congress is moving to intensify FDA surveillance of ill effects possibly caused by medicines. … Continue reading “Biotech Takes on Toxic Drugs”
The GreenFuel Letter
Over the weekend, we worked to bring you the first news about a management overhaul at GreenFuel Technologies, in which Bob Metcalfe took over as interim CEO. Our last story cited a letter Metcalfe wrote, apparently to employees and investors, laying out what had happened and where things stood. We quoted several passages and paraphrased … Continue reading “The GreenFuel Letter”
IPOs, CFOs, Clinicals, and More
The last few days have been surprisingly busy, given the nice weather and the impending holiday. Here are a few items you might have missed: —In a tie with San Jose, the Boston area topped the list for most VC-backed IPOs (6) in the second quarter of 2007. —Boston Scientific launched a new neuromodulation device … Continue reading “IPOs, CFOs, Clinicals, and More”
Genzyme Takeover of Bioenvision Falls Short; Company Tries New Tack
As our sources predicted Friday, Genzyme’s tender offer for New York-based Bioenvision has fallen far short of its goal, Genzyme confirmed this morning. However, the Cambridge biotech giant is not giving up in its efforts to acquire Bioenvision stock and has decided to extend its offer until July 10. The failure of many Bioenvision common … Continue reading “Genzyme Takeover of Bioenvision Falls Short; Company Tries New Tack”
Metcalfe Takes Reins at GreenFuel After Key Setbacks; Company Lays Off Half its Staff, Seeks to Raise Cash
Unanticipated setbacks with GreenFuel Technologies’ unique bioreactor system led to the layoff of half the company’s 50-person staff and Bob Metcalfe’s appointment as interim CEO, Xconomy has learned, adding detail to what we reported yesterday. Cambridge-based GreenFuel seeks to use algae to convert carbon dioxide emissions into biofuel. However, in the last few weeks, the … Continue reading “Metcalfe Takes Reins at GreenFuel After Key Setbacks; Company Lays Off Half its Staff, Seeks to Raise Cash”
Metcalfe Named Interim CEO of GreenFuel
Ethernet inventor Bob Metcalfe has been named interim CEO of Cambridge clean energy company GreenFuel Technologies, Xconomy has learned. He replaces highly touted energy industry veteran Cary Bullock, who was hired in March 2005 to head the company, which develops algae bioreactor systems that convert carbon dioxide emissions into renewable, clean-burning biofuels. Details of Metcalfe’s … Continue reading “Metcalfe Named Interim CEO of GreenFuel”
IDEAS Boston 2007
One-day conference brings together innovators and thought leaders from the arts, business, technology, science, medicine, education, and more.
EdNets, Inc. Secures $2,969,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=53be68ec-a7b8-4f8a-85e4-cf56e8d63c8a&Preview=1 Date 6/30/2007 Company Name EdNets, Inc. Mailing Address 107 Audubon Road, Building Two 109, MA 01880 Company Description The company’s mission is to improve education through web technology and increasing school funding. Website http://www.ednets.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,969,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. … Continue reading “EdNets, Inc. Secures $2,969,000 New Financing Round”
Genzyme Takeover Deal Will Fail, Predicts Bioenvision Shareholder
Genzyme’s tender offer for New York-based Bioenvision, which expires at 12:01 Monday morning, will not be approved, predicts a large Bioenvision shareholder opposed to the deal. “We’ve heard it’s fallen flat as hell,” asserts Jeffrey Davis, president of SCO Capital, a New York asset-management group focused on life sciences. SCO Capital owns roughly 13 percent … Continue reading “Genzyme Takeover Deal Will Fail, Predicts Bioenvision Shareholder”
Aveo’s Better Mousetraps for Cancer Drugs
Oncology researchers are fond of saying that if you’re a mouse with cancer, they’ve found drugs that can cure you. Scientists at Cambridge-based Aveo Pharmaceuticals have even better news: They’ve developed mice with tumors that don’t always respond well to anticancer drugs. That heralds an important advance because it means that cancers in Aveo’s bioengineered … Continue reading “Aveo’s Better Mousetraps for Cancer Drugs”
CombinatoRx Pulls the Plug on Arthritis Drug
Kendall Square-based CombinatoRx announced today that it is discontinuing development of CRx-150 after the drug candidate targeting rheumatoid arthritis performed poorly in a Phase 2 clinical trial. A combination of the antidepressant amoxapine and the cardiovascular drug dipyridamole, CRx-150 did offer some pain-control benefit compared to placebo, the company said, but failed to meet clinical … Continue reading “CombinatoRx Pulls the Plug on Arthritis Drug”
Startup Profile: Xconomy Part 2
You meet a lot of people and do a lot of talking when you’re setting out to launch a company. In the course of creating Xconomy, between seeking investors and raising underwriting funds, I took an estimated 17 trips to the Bay Colony Corporate Center in Waltham, home to what’s probably the greatest concentration of … Continue reading “Startup Profile: Xconomy Part 2”
Brooks Steps Down as CSAIL Head, Dives Back into Science
Quipping that he is experiencing “a scientific mid-life crisis,” legendary robotics pioneer Rod Brooks is stepping down as Director of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Brooks’ reign at CSAIL, which he has directed since its 2003 formation, will formally end on Friday. However, today marks his first day in his new office, where … Continue reading “Brooks Steps Down as CSAIL Head, Dives Back into Science”
Startup Profile: Xconomy
No sooner had Verizon connected our telephone lines than the phones began ringing off the hook. We dropped our Ikea wrenches to field calls from investors, attorneys, and underwriters. Then came the telemarketing blitz from insurance peddlers, payroll services, financing companies. There was even one slightly peeved call from a big law firm trying to … Continue reading “Startup Profile: Xconomy”
Web Innovators Group
A fun-loving networking group to support Boston area innovators in the Internet and mobile fields. The group’s only summer event will feature short demos from three “main dish” startup companies.
State-House Hot Air Over Wind Power Grant?
It made the front page of the Boston Globe and aired on the local NPR affiliate: Massachusetts won a $2-million grant to help outfit a hangar facility in Charlestown for testing wind turbine blades. In announcing the deal, Governor Deval Patrick was joined at the State House by no less a figure than U.S. Energy … Continue reading “State-House Hot Air Over Wind Power Grant?”
Lux Executive Summit: Connecting Business with Science for Innovation
At the Lux Executive Summit, the focus is on business and finance questions surrounding the commercialization of scientific innovations.
3rd Annual Conference on Clean Energy: Financing and Partnering for Emerging Businesses
Investors, entrepreneurs, representatives from emerging technology companies, and industry sector officials will convene at CCE 2007 for presentations and sessions on various types of clean energy. The event includes a job fair organized by the Energy Special Interest Group of the MIT Enterprise Forum.
NKS 2007 Wolfram Science Conference
NKS 2007 attendees can learn more about A New Kind of Science author Stephen Wolfram’s approach to science in a half-day mini-course and lectures, and through hands-on explorations and art and poster displays.
11th International Symposium on Wearable Computers
What will the high-tech fashion mavens be wearing in the future? ISWC 2007—the 11th annual IEEE International Symposium on Wearable Computers—is where computer designers meet fashion designers for tutorials, hands-on workshops, papers, and student colloquia.
Red Herring East
Once a year, Red Herring magazine comes to town to network and to host forums on investment and trends in high tech.
2007 Emerging Technologies Conference at MIT
An annual event held by MIT’s Technology Review magazine, the conference brings in leading innovators, educators, and executives in the world of technology. The event also honors outstanding young innovators selected by the magazine.
Deval Patrick Needs You…
I attended a small meeting of the minds yesterday at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square. Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick invited potential stakeholders to suggest what his proposed $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative should actually look like. I must admit that I am usually skeptical when leaders ask how they should do their jobs, but … Continue reading “Deval Patrick Needs You…”
Philips Buys Color Kinetics for $791 Million
Barely four days after a leading analyst put out a warning saying Color Kinetics’ stock had reached its full value, the Boston LED lighting company yesterday announced it had agreed to be purchased by Philips for a hefty $791 million, driving its stock up higher. The announcement bumped the stock up nearly four points to … Continue reading “Philips Buys Color Kinetics for $791 Million”
Newcomer Alert: Brian Moon Arrives from the U.K. to Tap Local Talent
Product-design and technology-consulting firm Cambridge Consultants (the other Cambridge) announced late last week that it was moving its U.S. headquarters and its previously U.K.-based CEO, Brian Moon, to Kendall Square. The company’s U.S. staff, which was until now based in Boston’s Fort Point Channel, is set to quadruple in size in three to five years. … Continue reading “Newcomer Alert: Brian Moon Arrives from the U.K. to Tap Local Talent”
Color Kinetics Stock Soars, Yellow Flag Raised
It’s been a good year for Boston-based digital-lighting leader Color Kinetics, whose stock surged Thursday to an all-time high after the company announced a big licensing deal that will make its LED technology even more visible at events and performances. But shares dipped Friday when a leading analyst downgraded the company from “Buy” to “Hold.” … Continue reading “Color Kinetics Stock Soars, Yellow Flag Raised”
Pop!Tech 2007
This annual event in a quaint Maine seaside town brings together visionaries in science, technology, the social sciences, culture, the arts, and more. This year’s theme is “The Human Impact,” exploring how individuals can have an effect on other people and on the world.
Mixed Feelings on State Funding for Stem Cells
A month after Gov. Deval Patrick announced a planned billion-dollar funding initiative to bolster stem cell research in Massachusetts, the local research community is still awaiting details. But a representative of the governor’s office stopped by a symposium today at the law firm of Nixon Peabody today to give some hints. Jon Mahoney, industry director … Continue reading “Mixed Feelings on State Funding for Stem Cells”
Newcomer Alert: Patrice Milos Joins Struggling Helicos
Following on the heels of last month’s disappointing IPO, Helicos BioSciences is making a new addition to its executive suite: Pfizer veteran Patrice Milos. Milos, most recently the executive director of Pfizer Global Research and Development, will serve as Helicos’s VP and CSO. Alan Louie, research director at Health Industry Insights, says the hire is … Continue reading “Newcomer Alert: Patrice Milos Joins Struggling Helicos”
A Deal Too True to be Good? Shareholder Uprising Aims to Disrupt Genzyme’s Takeover Plans
It was just business—good business. Or so it seemed last week, when Genzyme announced its $350 million acquisition of New York-based Bioenvision. In fact, it seemed like a good deal for both parties. Under the terms of the arrangement, Genzyme (GENZ) agreed to acquire Bioenvison (BIVN) for $5.60 a share. That marked a 50% premium … Continue reading “A Deal Too True to be Good? Shareholder Uprising Aims to Disrupt Genzyme’s Takeover Plans”
Shopping 3.0: The New Face of e-Commerce
I fully realized that the third generation of shopping was upon us when Sharon Jester Turney, CEO of Limited Brands Direct, turned to me and said something along the lines of how she needed something to add the sex to the new Victoria’s Secret website. That one utterance, delivered without irony, wove together several threads … Continue reading “Shopping 3.0: The New Face of e-Commerce”
Legends of Kendall Square: Doc Edgerton
With all that happens so quickly in life, Dr. Harold “Doc” Edgerton made his name by bringing the fastest-moving things on earth to a dead halt. His teams developed the technology to literally stop a bullet in front of your eyes, synchronizing flash photography with the exact moment of impact, the moment of truth—when the … Continue reading “Legends of Kendall Square: Doc Edgerton”
MIT Enterprise Forum: Entrepreneurial Lessons Learned
MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge presents a series of case studies from entrepreneurs.
Brewing Business: A Taste of Summer with WilmerHale at Harpoon Brewery
WilmerHale’s invitation-only summer venture capital and entreprenuership networking event at Harpoon Brewery in Boston. The brewery is located at 306 Northern Avenue, inside the Marine Industrial Park.
Convergence: The Life Sciences Leaders Forum
Annual event on Martha’s Vineyard held by our friends and Future Forward. Bob will be moderating a Friday morning panel, Device Innovation: New Paradigms, New Technologies, and a New Relationship to Drugs.
2007 Boston Biotech CEO Conference
Invitation-only annual event brings together the cream of the crop of Boston area life sciences executives. This increasingly popular event is the brainchild of Sirtris CEO Christoph Westphal.
Nuance Communications Acquires VoiceSignal Technologies, Inc. for $293,000,000
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=77d33ebf-c5e2-4c71-bccf-674707efb620&Preview=1 Date 5/15/2007 Company Name VoiceSignal Technologies, Inc. Mailing Address 150 Presidential Way Woburn, MA 01801 Company Description VoiceSignal’s VSuite, VSpeak, VoiceMode and VSearch solutions are designed to address the ease-of-use problem that increasingly confronts users of today’s mobile devices. Website http://www.voicesignal.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount $293,000,000 Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes … Continue reading “Nuance Communications Acquires VoiceSignal Technologies, Inc. for $293,000,000”
AOL LLC Acquires Third Screen Media for Undisclosed Sum
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5136c7f5-8af1-4d20-b8c0-67ed25d72528&Preview=1 Date 5/15/2007 Company Name Third Screen Media Mailing Address 88 Black Falcon Ave. Boston, MA 02210 Company Description Third Screen Media (TSM) enables advertising on mobile phones and wireless devices. Website http://www.thirdscreenmedia.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes M&A Terms Financial terms of the transaction were not … Continue reading “AOL LLC Acquires Third Screen Media for Undisclosed Sum”
Combinent BioMedical Systems, Inc. Receives Series A Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d7567bcf-2bf6-47d3-a1bc-3783ad0ff57f&Preview=1 Date 5/7/2007 Company Name Combinent BioMedical Systems, Inc. Mailing Address 420 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 Company Description Combinent BioMedical Systems, Inc. is an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company that is developing novel drug combinations and formulations of existing pharmaceutical products using its proprietary transvaginal drug delivery system (TVDS). Combinent has targeted … Continue reading “Combinent BioMedical Systems, Inc. Receives Series A Round”
Ellacoya Networks Inc. Lands $13,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1d8bd507-16cb-492a-b7fc-afc7ccaafbcd&Preview=1 Date 4/26/2007 Company Name Ellacoya Networks Inc. Mailing Address 7 Henry Clay Drive Merrimack, NH 03054 Company Description Ellacoya Networks is an innovative technology company building breakthrough service control platforms for broadband service provider markets. Website http://www.ellacoyanetworks.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $13,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes It will … Continue reading “Ellacoya Networks Inc. Lands $13,000,000 New Funding Round”
Spine Wave Inc. Secures $45,000,000 Series D Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c4bab83c-c92c-4f50-be10-534654414651&Preview=1 Date 4/10/2007 Company Name Spine Wave Inc. Mailing Address Two 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 … Continue reading “Spine Wave Inc. Secures $45,000,000 Series D Round”
Zafgen, Inc. Secures $400,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=85678dc8-efb8-4310-9a9c-3573097a59c4&Preview=1 Date 3/31/2007 Company Name Zafgen, Inc. Mailing Address 29 Newbury Street Boston, MA 02116 Company Description The company is developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of obesity. Website http://www.zafgen.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $400,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture Investor Atlas … Continue reading “Zafgen, Inc. Secures $400,000 New Financing Round”
Nexaweb Technologies Garners $2,000,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=eb92a983-8470-4e70-863f-f012ee0eb763&Preview=1 Date 3/31/2007 Company Name Nexaweb Technologies Mailing Address One Van de Graaff Drive Burlington, MA 01803 Company Description Nexaweb provides the leading software platform for building and deploying Enterprise Internet Applications. Website http://www.nexaweb.com/ Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A … Continue reading “Nexaweb Technologies Garners $2,000,000 New Financing”
IlluminOss Medical, Inc. Receives $2,600,000 Series A Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=58269d7a-148a-406b-b1f4-d19a24dbfdc0&Preview=1 Date 3/30/2007 Company Name IlluminOss Medical, Inc. Mailing Address 993 Waterman Avenue East Providence, RI 02914 Company Description The company is a medical device startup developing technologies for orthopedic surgery applications. Website http://www.illuminossmedical.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,600,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. … Continue reading “IlluminOss Medical, Inc. Receives $2,600,000 Series A Financing”
QD Vision Receives $6,000,000 Series B Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0070e1a8-4cee-4d3b-aed0-c8b965005e57&Preview=1 Date 3/7/2007 Company Name QD Vision Mailing Address 313 Pleasant St Watertown, MA 02472 Company Description Our leading edge solutions will give customers decisive performance and manufacturing advantages in the competitive market for flat panel displays. Because our solutions use standard OLED device structures, customers with installed manufacturing equipment can leverage … Continue reading “QD Vision Receives $6,000,000 Series B Funding Round”
HealthEdge Software Inc. Receives $3,000,000 Series A Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2adf6b91-253f-4d1c-b9a4-fd1205c31a99&Preview=1 Date 3/5/2007 Company Name HealthEdge Software Inc. Mailing Address 10 Burlington Mall Road Burlington, MA 01803 Company Description HealthEdge provides health plans, TPAs, PPOs, and insurers of all sizes with unique software applications to position them for success. With patent-pending, next-generation technology, HealthEdge enables payor organizations to pursue innovative, new strategies … Continue reading “HealthEdge Software Inc. Receives $3,000,000 Series A Financing”
InstallFree Garners $1,700,000 Series A Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a6564fe9-fd27-4da6-ad56-66a03c496ef4&Preview=1 Date 1/31/2007 Company Name InstallFree Mailing Address 60 Long Ridge Road Stamford, CT 06902 Company Description Centrally distribute and manage clientless true virtual applications that work on locked-down computers with no limitations while maintaining complete intercommunication capabilities with virtual and non virtual resources. Website http://www.installfree.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount … Continue reading “InstallFree Garners $1,700,000 Series A Financing”