Biogen has won a patent case concerning its top-selling multiple sclerosis drug, allowing the company to keep exclusive rights on the pill without paying royalties to a European biotech that made claims on the drug. But in a separate case also decided today, Acorda Therapeutics lost four patents covering its flagship drug, a potentially significant … Continue reading “MS Drug Patent Rulings Give Biogen Win, Acorda Loss in Separate Suits”
Category: Boston
Robo Madness 2017: The Photos and Takeaways
Third time’s a charm… and our third annual Robo Madness conference in Boston had plenty of that. (So did the first two.) From live robot demos to provocative discussions on the opportunities and challenges in artificial intelligence, our speakers really delivered on this year’s theme: A.I. Gets Real. Huge thanks to our host, Google, whose … Continue reading “Robo Madness 2017: The Photos and Takeaways”
Bio Roundup: New Drug Bonanza, Vertex’s Triple Play, CAR-T Race & More
As far as singular weeks go for biotech, this was a big one. Three highly anticipated drugs were approved. One is the first injectable medication for eczema. Another might help fend off the recurrence of ovarian cancer. And a third offers hope for people with severe forms of multiple sclerosis. Another drug, a new combination … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: New Drug Bonanza, Vertex’s Triple Play, CAR-T Race & More”
Catalia’s Big-Eyed Robots Soon Will Nudge Patients To Take Their Meds
Cory Kidd discovered during a graduate school project at MIT Media Lab that patients are more likely to follow doctor’s orders if they get the nudge from a talking robot, rather than the same reminder from an animated character on a computer screen. That research, and his further health robotics work, prompted Kidd to found … Continue reading “Catalia’s Big-Eyed Robots Soon Will Nudge Patients To Take Their Meds”
Progress Buys DataRPM for $30M to Build “Cognitive” Business Apps
[Updated 4/3/17, 4:39 pm. See below.] Progress Software, a 36-year-old software company, is pushing into machine learning and connected device technologies with its $30 million acquisition of DataRPM, a privately held firm based in Redwood City, CA. The deal is the first acquisition made by new Progress CEO Yogesh Gupta, who took the helm in … Continue reading “Progress Buys DataRPM for $30M to Build “Cognitive” Business Apps”
Carbonite Raises $125M to Pay Off Debt, Scout Acquisitions
Carbonite, a publicly traded cloud backup and data protection firm, is raising $125 million from investors to pay off debt and restock its war chest. The Boston-based company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CARB]]) announced it’s conducting a private offering of convertible senior notes to institutional investors. The initial buyers have a 30-day option to purchase an additional $18.75 million … Continue reading “Carbonite Raises $125M to Pay Off Debt, Scout Acquisitions”
Xconomy IMPACT: Innovation That Matters
So many companies want to “change the world,” but how do you build something that makes a real difference? Advances in sectors like machine intelligence, connected devices, and healthcare are poised to transform human jobs and lives. But, especially in today’s political climate, technology and business leaders must also navigate—and find ways to influence—policy areas … Continue reading “Xconomy IMPACT: Innovation That Matters”
Boston Scientific to Acquire Heart Device Maker Symetis for $435M
[Updated 3/30/17, 2:12 pm. See below.] Boston Scientific is acquiring Swiss company Symetis, the latest move made by the medical device giant to strengthen its portfolio of minimally invasive heart valve replacement products. Marlborough, MA-based Boston Scientific (NYSE: [[ticker:BSX]]) will pay $435 million in upfront cash to Symetis. With the deal in place, Symetis has … Continue reading “Boston Scientific to Acquire Heart Device Maker Symetis for $435M”
Third Rock’s Tango Aims For Drugs That Turn Cancer Against Itself
As the understanding of cancer advances, scientists are discovering built-in features of the disease’s own biology that can be tapped to halt its growth. Biotech startup Tango Therapeutics believes it can build on this concept to develop new cancer drugs, and it is now unveiling its approach, backed by $55 million in financing. The Series … Continue reading “Third Rock’s Tango Aims For Drugs That Turn Cancer Against Itself”
Next Stop on Father’s Duchenne Quest: Wall Street? Solid Raises $50M
It wasn’t too long ago that Ilan Ganot was a J.P. Morgan banker. Then his son, Eytani, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and he ended up the head of a startup trying to find an array of treatments for the progressive, deadly genetic disease. Now it appears that journey might return Ganot to a … Continue reading “Next Stop on Father’s Duchenne Quest: Wall Street? Solid Raises $50M”
Running with the Pack: Rover.com Acquiring Rival DogVacay
In a dog-eat-dog deal, Seattle-based dog-care services marketplace Rover.com is acquiring its largest competitor, DogVacay, the companies announced Wednesday. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The combined company will be headquartered in Seattle and maintain the Rover brand. Aaron Easterly, CEO of Rover, will continue in that role while DogVacay CEO Aaron Hirschhorn will … Continue reading “Running with the Pack: Rover.com Acquiring Rival DogVacay”
With FDA Approval, Genentech Drug Becomes First For Severe MS Cases
The FDA has approved a new Genentech multiple sclerosis drug, ocrelizumab (Ocrevus), that will become the first ever marketed therapy for the most severe form of the disease. Multiple sclerosis comes in different forms characterized by the severity and progression of the disease. While many drugs are available to treat MS, up until now, none … Continue reading “With FDA Approval, Genentech Drug Becomes First For Severe MS Cases”
Ottobock Buys Boston-Based “Active” Prosthetic Maker BionX
BionX Medical Technologies, a Boston-area company that makes a prosthetic foot and ankle product that uses robotics technology, has been acquired by Ottobock, a German prosthetics company with North American headquarters in Austin, TX. The deal was announced earlier this month. Financial terms weren’t disclosed, so it’s hard to tell how good an outcome it … Continue reading “Ottobock Buys Boston-Based “Active” Prosthetic Maker BionX”
With New Data, Vertex Touts Backbone Of Future Cystic Fibrosis Drugs
With new data released this evening, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is closer to bringing its third cystic fibrosis treatment to market, which would mean the company’s product line could potentially treat upwards of 40 percent of the roughly 70,000 people with the disease worldwide. The late-stage data for the combination of ivacaftor, already approved as Kalydeco, and … Continue reading “With New Data, Vertex Touts Backbone Of Future Cystic Fibrosis Drugs”
FDA OKs Eczema Injection; Owners Regeneron, Sanofi Set $37K Price
For the more severe cases of eczema—inflamed skin that can range from annoying dry patches to painful swelling, oozing, and cracking—there’s a new injectable medicine on the market that will cost tens of thousands of dollars a year. The FDA approved today dupliumab (Dupixent) for adults whose condition cannot be controlled with topical creams. The … Continue reading “FDA OKs Eczema Injection; Owners Regeneron, Sanofi Set $37K Price”
Biogen’s Olivier Danos Joins Regenxbio as Chief Scientific Officer
Olivier Danos is joining Regenxbio (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RGNX]]) to become the company’s chief scientific officer. Danos comes to the Rockville, MD, gene therapy biotech from Cambridge, MA-based Biogen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]), where he was the senior vice president of cell and gene therapy. Before joining Biogen, Danos was the senior vice president of molecular medicine, synthetic biology, … Continue reading “Biogen’s Olivier Danos Joins Regenxbio as Chief Scientific Officer”
Boston Biomedical Promotes Patricia Andrews to CEO
Patricia Andrews has been appointed CEO of Boston Biomedical. Andrews will succeed Chiang Li, who has led the company since he founded the Cambridge, MA-based cancer drug developer in 2007. Andrews came to Boston Biomedical in 2013 from Wilmington, DE-based Incyte (NASDAQ: [[ticker:INCY]]), where she was chief commercial officer. Boston Biomedical promoted her to chief … Continue reading “Boston Biomedical Promotes Patricia Andrews to CEO”
IRobot CEO Rolls Out Nonprofit, RISE, Focused on Eco-Robots
Colin Angle was diving off the coast of Bermuda with his wife, Erika, when he saw some unusual fish: bright stripes, big spines, slow-moving. The captain of their boat said they were lionfish, an invasive species that has been wreaking havoc on fish stocks and reef ecosystems in the western Atlantic. Lionfish populations are hard … Continue reading “IRobot CEO Rolls Out Nonprofit, RISE, Focused on Eco-Robots”
RightHand Robotics Picks Up $8M to Automate Next-Gen Warehouses
A funny thing happened in the five years since Amazon acquired warehouse automation firm Kiva Systems for $775 million. The logistics robot market has taken off, with different competing systems shuttling inventory around to try to speed up order fulfillment. But tasks requiring manual dexterity are still hard to automate. Now, several companies and research … Continue reading “RightHand Robotics Picks Up $8M to Automate Next-Gen Warehouses”
Boston Tech Watch: Google, Visible Measures, Smack, PlacePass & More
[Updated 3/28/17, 9:02 a.m. See below.] This week in Boston tech, we’re tracking new venture funds, the latest startup investments, the end of the road for some local companies, and more. Read on for details. —Southern New Hampshire University and Rethink Education—a White Plains, NY-based firm that invests in education technology companies—have launched a $15 … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Google, Visible Measures, Smack, PlacePass & More”
Tesaro’s Ovarian Cancer Drug Gets FDA Nod, No Diagnostic Needed
An ovarian cancer drug from Tesaro has won FDA approval ahead of schedule, adding a third treatment to a new group of therapies that work by blocking a process that tumors use to repair themselves. Waltham, MA-based Tesaro (NASDAQ: [[ticker:TSRO]]) says the FDA approved its drug niraparib (Zejula) drug as a maintenance therapy for women … Continue reading “Tesaro’s Ovarian Cancer Drug Gets FDA Nod, No Diagnostic Needed”
Ionis Pharma Spins Out Lipid Disorder Unit Akcea with Plans for IPO
Akcea Therapeutics, an Ionis Pharmaceuticals subsidiary focused on rare lipid disorders, is spinning out of its parent with plans for an initial public stock offering as it prepares to file for FDA approval for its lead drug. The Akcea stock offering could reach as much as $100 million, according to paperwork filed with securities regulators. … Continue reading “Ionis Pharma Spins Out Lipid Disorder Unit Akcea with Plans for IPO”
Robo Madness on Tuesday: Demos From Boston Dynamics, Soft Robotics, Piaggio
Hard to believe, but we’re just a day away from Robo Madness 2017, our third annual Boston conference on robotics and artificial intelligence. It’s all happening at Google’s offices in Kendall Square tomorrow afternoon. The full agenda is here. In addition to talks and discussions, there will be three live demos in the program, each … Continue reading “Robo Madness on Tuesday: Demos From Boston Dynamics, Soft Robotics, Piaggio”
Bullhorn CEO Talks Tech Unicorns, Voice Interfaces, & A.I. Hype
Last week, Xconomy published a story about how I jammed with Bullhorn CEO Art Papas in the music room at his software company’s downtown Boston headquarters. Hard-hitting journalism, I know. But our meeting wasn’t just about rocking out to a Foo Fighters song. We also chatted about his 18-year-old company’s ups and downs, why it … Continue reading “Bullhorn CEO Talks Tech Unicorns, Voice Interfaces, & A.I. Hype”
Cibo Technologies Grabs $30M for Agricultural Data Analytics
Cibo Technologies, an agricultural technology startup incubated by Flagship Pioneering’s VentureLabs unit, has raised $30.25 million in equity funding from investors, according to a new SEC filing. The Cambridge, MA-based firm makes data analytics software that aims to improve decision-making in agriculture. Some of the uses include helping farmers maximize their crop yields while reducing … Continue reading “Cibo Technologies Grabs $30M for Agricultural Data Analytics”
Placester Gets $50M from NEA to Expand Real Estate Software Tools
Investors are doubling down on Placester. On Friday, the fast-growing real estate software company announced a $50 million equity funding round from previous investor New Enterprise Associates (NEA). The Series D round brings Boston-based Placester’s total venture capital haul to $100 million. That makes the company one of the biggest venture-backed technology bets in New … Continue reading “Placester Gets $50M from NEA to Expand Real Estate Software Tools”
Rebooted and Refocused, Startup Cool Planet Eyes the Soil Market
When Cool Planet found a lukewarm market for its renewable fuel, the startup needed to change course. Now focused on agriculture, Greenwood, CO-based Cool Planet is aiming for the market again—this time with a soils supplement backed by $19.3 million in new capital. The Series A round was led by Agustín Coppel, a member of … Continue reading “Rebooted and Refocused, Startup Cool Planet Eyes the Soil Market”
Bio Roundup: Trumpcare Wavers, Amgen Courts Payers, Critics Circle PTC
Who knew healthcare could be so complicated? This week, President Trump and the GOP saw first hand, as a feverish rally to get their healthcare bill through the House of Representatives on Thursday stalled before a vote. Elsewhere in Washington DC, drug pricing continued to be a political football. Two well known congressional drug pricing … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Trumpcare Wavers, Amgen Courts Payers, Critics Circle PTC”
Kayak Expands to New Platforms as A.I. Assistants Proliferate
[Corrected, 3/24/17, 2:37 p.m. See below.] As Kayak attempts to build a better virtual travel agent, the tech firm is expanding beyond its core website and mobile app, and establishing a presence on additional types of technology platforms. Since mid-2015, Stamford, CT-based Kayak has made its travel-search service available to consumers on Apple Watch, Slack, … Continue reading “Kayak Expands to New Platforms as A.I. Assistants Proliferate”
VC Blumberg Betting On Automation in Data Security
David Blumberg helped pioneering firewall company Check Point Software Technologies during its early days as a business in the 1990’s, and he has been observing the development of the cybersecurity industry as an investor since that time. His take on data security today, after more than 25 years? “The state of security is abysmal,” Blumberg … Continue reading “VC Blumberg Betting On Automation in Data Security”
Regenerative Med Firm Biostage Promotes La Francesca to President
Saveiro La Francesca, chief medical officer of biotech company Biostage (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BSTG]]), has been promoted to president. La Francesca had served as chief medical officer of the Holliston, MA-based company since 2014. The cardiothoracic surgeon oversaw Biostage’s development and preclinical testing of a technology that uses stem cells to bioengineer organ implants. In his new … Continue reading “Regenerative Med Firm Biostage Promotes La Francesca to President”
Ripcord Raises $9.5M To Digitize Paper Records With Robots
Alex Fielding says he started his records management software company, Ripcord, because he was astonished. It all began when the initial public offering of a friend’s tech company hit a snag over the retrieval of information for the IPO filing from paper records stored and managed by an outside company. “I had heard my whole … Continue reading “Ripcord Raises $9.5M To Digitize Paper Records With Robots”
Amid Gender Gap Talk, Mentor Network Emerges For Women In Health, Bio
It’s been more than a year since an infamous party with hired models in cocktail dresses captured the biotech community’s attention at the 2016 J.P. Morgan conference. There has been plenty of talk since about closing biotech’s notable gender gap. At this year’s J.P Morgan conference, for example, a group of 100 life science executives … Continue reading “Amid Gender Gap Talk, Mentor Network Emerges For Women In Health, Bio”
DataRobot Downloads $54M Led by NEA to Automate Data Science Tasks
Jeremy Achin is embarrassed to admit it, but his decision to quit his job and start a company was inspired in part by seeing the movie “The Social Network,” the Hollywood take on Facebook’s origin story. It was several years ago, and the then-31-year-old was a director of research and modeling at Travelers Insurance in … Continue reading “DataRobot Downloads $54M Led by NEA to Automate Data Science Tasks”
Building a Local Innovation Ecosystem
Co-authored with Rudy Gadre, general partner at Founders’ Co-op. Western Washington is already home to some of the most innovative people, companies, and academic programs in the world. And yet we should be doing much more to connect and support our local innovators, to attract more agents of change to the region, and to help them … Continue reading “Building a Local Innovation Ecosystem”
Coffee Meets Bagel Starts Premium Model to Push In-App Currency
Dating app Coffee Meets Bagel is launching a premium service that gives subscribers information about their potential suitors’ activities and makes it easier for them to access and spend the in-app currency that makes the company money. The premium subscription costs $34.99. Coffee Meets Bagel doesn’t charge for its basic services, but it does let … Continue reading “Coffee Meets Bagel Starts Premium Model to Push In-App Currency”
After a Clinical Trial Death, FDA OKs New Tests of Akashi’s Duchenne Drug
Akashi Therapeutics has been cleared by the FDA to resume testing an experimental Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug roughly a year after a patient taking the treatment died in a clinical trial. Now the question is whether the Cambridge, MA, company can get the funding to support a new study. Akashi plans to start a new … Continue reading “After a Clinical Trial Death, FDA OKs New Tests of Akashi’s Duchenne Drug”
Join David Baltimore, Nicole Glaros, Nathan Myhrvold, & More at Our Napa Summit
Year after year, Xconomy has gathered exemplary business leaders, investors, and far-seeing technologists to our most prestigious event—The Napa Summit. This year is no different. Come join us in the heart of wine country on June 8 and 9 to listen to visionary speakers and connect with fellow innovators. The Napa Summit is by invitation-only, … Continue reading “Join David Baltimore, Nicole Glaros, Nathan Myhrvold, & More at Our Napa Summit”
The Time I Jammed to Foo Fighters With Bullhorn CEO Art Papas
After a frustrating day at work, we’ve all probably felt the urge to blow off steam by belting out our favorite song or banging on the drums. Employees at Bullhorn can do that without leaving the office. The business software company’s downtown Boston headquarters has a sound-proof music room (see above) tricked out with several … Continue reading “The Time I Jammed to Foo Fighters With Bullhorn CEO Art Papas”
Mythic Reveals Novel Chip to Empower Devices With AI, Raises $9M
With ever-smaller smartphones now flaunting the computing powers of yesteryear’s hefty business machines, it might look like Moore’s Law has yet to be repealed. In 1965, Intel co-founder Gordon Moore saw computer chips doubling in processing power every year, and predicted the exponential rise of smaller, cheaper, and faster devices. But Michael Henry, co-founder of … Continue reading “Mythic Reveals Novel Chip to Empower Devices With AI, Raises $9M”
SutroVax Lands $64M From Roche, Others to Back Vaccine Studies
Vaccines may be available for pneumococcal infections, but none of them, including the widely used Prevnar 13, can cover all strains. SutroVax is one of the startups trying to solve that problem, and today raised $64 million to test its approach in humans. New investors Frazier Healthcare Partners and Pivotal bioVenture Partners led the Series … Continue reading “SutroVax Lands $64M From Roche, Others to Back Vaccine Studies”
Join Varmus, Foley & More at NY Biotech Seizes the Momentum on May 31
It’s not an understatement to say 2017 is a crucial year for the growth of the life sciences industry in New York. This past year, city and state governments agreed to put $1.15 billion into the sector in the Empire State. It was part of a sprawling plan to bring lab space online, nurture local … Continue reading “Join Varmus, Foley & More at NY Biotech Seizes the Momentum on May 31”
Grab Your Ticket for Robo Madness 2017— A.I. Gets Real on March 28th
There’s no doubt robotics and artificial intelligence will become an even bigger part of our daily lives in the next few years. In one week, Xconomy is bringing together Boston’s top entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators to discuss future opportunities in these industries. Join us next Tuesday, March 28, at Google in Cambridge, MA, to take … Continue reading “Grab Your Ticket for Robo Madness 2017— A.I. Gets Real on March 28th”
Murata Pays $68M for Arctic Sand, to Combine with Peregrine Semi
Japan’s Murata Manufacturing has acquired Arctic Sand Technologies of Burlington, MA, and plans to combine Arctic Sand’s low-power semiconductor technology with its San Diego-based subsidiary, Peregrine Semiconductor. The purchase price was $68 million, according to a Peregrine spokeswoman. Arctic Sand, an MIT spinout founded in 2010, has developed semiconductor technology that consolidates a number of … Continue reading “Murata Pays $68M for Arctic Sand, to Combine with Peregrine Semi”
Biogen Appoints Ghosh Senior VP for Research & Early Development
Anirvan Ghosh will become Biogen’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]) new senior vice president for research and early development. Ghosh joins Cambridge, MA-based Biogen from E-Scape Bio, where he was the San Francisco biotech’s chief scientific officer. His experience also includes a senior position at Roche, as well as academic posts at Johns Hopkins University and the University … Continue reading “Biogen Appoints Ghosh Senior VP for Research & Early Development”
Boston Tech Watch: DraftKings, Nantero, WordStream, Tinyhood & More
[Updated 3/20/17, 5:45 p.m. See below.] If you’re sick of staring at the sea of red in your March Madness bracket, take a break with the latest headlines in Boston-area tech. This week, we’ve got a lot of funding news—including an update on the recent mega-round from DraftKings—plus a few other notable tidbits. Read on … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: DraftKings, Nantero, WordStream, Tinyhood & More”
Waving White Flag, Cerulean Merges With Dare Bio, Sells Cancer Drugs
Cerulean Pharma may have been able to survive one brush with death, but the second has proven fatal. Today, the Waltham, MA, company announced plans to merge with a privately held women’s health company, Dare Bioscience, and sell off, for a pittance, the cancer drugs that were once its prized assets. Under the terms of … Continue reading “Waving White Flag, Cerulean Merges With Dare Bio, Sells Cancer Drugs”
First Trial Underway, CytomX Gets $200M More In Expanded Bristol Pact
It’s tough to stand out in the cancer immunotherapy crowd, where a slew of companies are testing a variety of drug combinations and new methods to help boost responses to existing treatments. But CytomX Therapeutics has clearly gotten the attention of one of the field’s major players, Bristol-Myers Squibb, which has just re-upped and expanded … Continue reading “First Trial Underway, CytomX Gets $200M More In Expanded Bristol Pact”
Talking Driverless Cars, March Madness on Stocks and Jocks Radio
I hit the airwaves Friday morning to talk venture capital, startups, self-driving cars, and March Madness. Stocks and Jocks, a Chicago-based weekday business and sports talk radio program, invited me on the show to share my thoughts on some of the latest trends in the startup world. Hosts Tom Haugh and Kathy Dervin bantered with … Continue reading “Talking Driverless Cars, March Madness on Stocks and Jocks Radio”
With New Data, Amgen Promises Refund If Cholesterol Drug Doesn’t Work
Stung by slow sales of its next-generation anti-cholesterol drug, Amgen hopes new clinical data, released this morning, will spur doctors to boost prescriptions and—perhaps more important—drive insurers to loosen their restrictions. The data, from a massive study of more than 27,000 patients, come at a time when drug and healthcare prices are a top U.S. … Continue reading “With New Data, Amgen Promises Refund If Cholesterol Drug Doesn’t Work”