Category: Boston

Communications Tech Firm Fuze Gulps $104M, Eyes IPO in 2018

Investors just heaped another pile of money on Fuze, already one of the better-funded tech companies in New England. Today, the Cambridge, MA-based software firm announced a $104 million equity investment led by Wellington Management Company. Other investors in the round include Greenspring Associates and earlier Fuze backers Summit Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, and G20 … Continue reading “Communications Tech Firm Fuze Gulps $104M, Eyes IPO in 2018”

Semyon Dukach Talks Latest Techstars Boston Class, His Last at Helm

[Corrected 2/9/17, 11:45 a.m. See below.] This year’s session of the Techstars Boston startup accelerator will be the last one led by Semyon Dukach. In a blog post published Monday, Dukach unveiled the 13 companies accepted into the latest program and announced that he will be leaving Techstars Boston after this session, his fourth as … Continue reading “Semyon Dukach Talks Latest Techstars Boston Class, His Last at Helm”

Trump’s Immigration Policies Threaten to Thwart Economic Growth

For the entire staff at Global Detroit, the Executive Orders from President Trump on immigration, refugees, the so-called Muslim ban, and the wall have been devastating and deeply distressing. They challenge our sense of American values and history. Beyond our personal and moral reactions, however, the Executive Orders also may have some impact on the … Continue reading “Trump’s Immigration Policies Threaten to Thwart Economic Growth”

Biotech Leaders Sign Letter Condemning Trump’s Travel Ban

The blowback from U.S. business leaders to President Trump’s travel ban continues—today from a throng of biotech executives. This morning, 165 U.S. biotech leaders have signed a letter voicing “deep concern and opposition” to the order, which bars entry to the U.S. to refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries. The Jan. 27 order placed … Continue reading “Biotech Leaders Sign Letter Condemning Trump’s Travel Ban”

Kentucky Biotech CEO’s Message For McConnell: I’ll Be Muslim, Too

President Trump’s order to bar refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries is on temporary hold, and a court hearing later today could eventually force a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. One of the latest biotech executives to speak out against the ban is in the backyard of Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the top Republican … Continue reading “Kentucky Biotech CEO’s Message For McConnell: I’ll Be Muslim, Too”

Desktop Metal Gets $45M From GV, BMW, & Lowe’s, Preps Product Launch

Desktop Metal is one of the better-funded Boston-area startups without a product on the market. But it plans to change that this year, and now the company has even more cash to help get its initial metal 3D printing system across the finish line. Today, Desktop Metal announced it raised a $45 million Series C … Continue reading “Desktop Metal Gets $45M From GV, BMW, & Lowe’s, Preps Product Launch”

With $294M, Kamen Hopes to Bring Regenerative Medicine “Up to Scale”

Dean Kamen is, among other things, an inventor, entrepreneur, and leader in the technology and nonprofit fields. The products he and his company, Manchester, NH-based DEKA Research & Development, have helped create over the years include the first portable insulin delivery system, an electronic wheelchair that can climb and descend stairs, a robotic prosthetic arm, … Continue reading “With $294M, Kamen Hopes to Bring Regenerative Medicine “Up to Scale””

Tesora Bought by Stratoscale in Data Center Tech Consolidation

The deal-making and investment in New England’s enterprise IT sector continues. Today, Stratoscale announced its acquisition of Cambridge, MA-based Tesora, a database-as-a-service provider. Deal terms weren’t disclosed, but the purchase price probably wasn’t huge. Herzliya, Israel-based Stratoscale has raised about $70 million from investors including Battery Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Cisco Investments, Intel Capital, and … Continue reading “Tesora Bought by Stratoscale in Data Center Tech Consolidation”

Bio Roundup: Travel Ban, Pharma in DC, Biogen Splits, PCSK9 Wins

Folks had just clocked out last Friday when the Trump Administration announced a travel ban that threw airports around the country into chaos. That announcement set the tone for this week in life sciences. Many in biopharma blasted Trump’s order and tried to grapple with its implications. At the same time, a handful of the … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Travel Ban, Pharma in DC, Biogen Splits, PCSK9 Wins”

Robots Might Eat Your Job, But Being Human Could Get You A New One

Robots and artificial intelligence software could eventually render human workers obsolete in virtually every industry, but that shift will likely take at least 30 to 50 years to play out. In the meantime, it’s important to focus on properly preparing people for the jobs that will be available over the next decade or so, and … Continue reading “Robots Might Eat Your Job, But Being Human Could Get You A New One”

Tarveda Nabs $30M More as Versant Helps Fund Cancer Drug Push

A year after rebranding around a new clinical strategy, Tarveda Therapeutics has raised $30 million in help push its experimental cancer drugs through early clinical testing. New investor Versant Ventures led the Series D round, which included earlier investors New Enterprise Associates, Novo A/S, NanoDimension, and Flagship Pioneering. The new capital for Watertown, MA-based Tarveda … Continue reading “Tarveda Nabs $30M More as Versant Helps Fund Cancer Drug Push”

Insurer UHC Will Cover Biogen Spine Drug, But With Limits And Proof

[Updated, 1:57 pm E.T., see below] Another major U.S. health insurer, UnitedHealthCare, has said it would cover the first-ever approved drug for the rare disease spinal muscular atrophy, a closely watched bellwether in the national debate over drug prices. While UHC’s policy is less restrictive than the one disclosed recently by rival insurer Anthem, UHC … Continue reading “Insurer UHC Will Cover Biogen Spine Drug, But With Limits And Proof”

Announcing Robo Madness 2017: A.I. Gets Real on March 28 at Google

It’s time for Xconomy’s third annual robotics and artificial intelligence conference in Boston. In previous years, we’ve highlighted areas such as manufacturing, logistics, and medical robots. This year, the focus is on A.I.-related software—applied to hot areas like autonomous vehicles, virtual assistants, and connected devices. But there will also be discussion about the role of … Continue reading “Announcing Robo Madness 2017: A.I. Gets Real on March 28 at Google”

Accomplice Shakeup, CoachUp Layoffs, Alexa Lab, & More Boston Tech News

[Updated 2/2/17, 3:47 pm. See below.] Here are some of the latest happenings in the Boston-area tech community: —Chris Lynch and Cort Johnson are leaving Accomplice, and the Cambridge, MA-based early-stage tech venture firm is reportedly growing its San Francisco staff. Accomplice will also consolidate its Boston Syndicates (BOSS) and Maiden Lane (an AngelList syndicate) … Continue reading “Accomplice Shakeup, CoachUp Layoffs, Alexa Lab, & More Boston Tech News”

ClearMotion Absorbs $100M for Tech That Delivers Smoother Car Rides

Investors have poured $100 million into ClearMotion, an MIT spinout that sees opportunity in the shift toward autonomous vehicles. ClearMotion’s Series C funding round was led by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, along with New Enterprise Associates, Qualcomm Ventures, World Innovation Lab, and Eileses Capital. The Woburn, MA-based startup says it has raised more than $130 … Continue reading “ClearMotion Absorbs $100M for Tech That Delivers Smoother Car Rides”

Seed-Stage Deals Show Growing Diversity of Agtech Investments

Fundraising is tough for startups but it’s particularly difficult in agriculture, a sector that has fewer firms focused on agtech investments. The dynamics are starting to change, though. A growing number of early-stage agtech startups are raising money and they’re pulling capital from a broader pool of sources, according to a new report from AgFunder, … Continue reading “Seed-Stage Deals Show Growing Diversity of Agtech Investments”

LearnLaunch to Embed Edtech Startups at a New England Prep School

[Corrected 2/6/17, 8:29 am. See below.] In trying to perfect their products, tech entrepreneurs often say it’s crucial to receive direct feedback from their end users. That’s not always simple for education technology startups selling products and services to K-12 schools, which can be slow-moving and have a lot of bureaucracy to overcome. A new … Continue reading “LearnLaunch to Embed Edtech Startups at a New England Prep School”

Better Together, or Apart? Biogen, Bioverativ Head Down Separate Paths

Biogen, one of the largest biotechnology companies in the world, was at a crossroads in 2016. An experimental drug for the memory-robbing scourge, Alzheimer’s disease, had shown signs of promise. That meant long, expensive, and risky Phase 3 trials lay ahead for Biogen to see if the early signals were more than a mirage. So … Continue reading “Better Together, or Apart? Biogen, Bioverativ Head Down Separate Paths”

Carbonite Pays $65M for Double-Take, a Fraction of Its 2010 Cost

[Updated 1/31/17, 7:40 pm. See below.] Carbonite is making more moves to bolster its offerings in cloud backup and data protection. The Boston-based firm (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CARB]]) said it acquired Double-Take Software for $65.25 million, which includes $59.75 million in cash and $5.5 million in the form of about 332,000 shares of Carbonite common stock. The … Continue reading “Carbonite Pays $65M for Double-Take, a Fraction of Its 2010 Cost”

Investors Sour on Data Debut For Dimension’s Hemophilia Gene Therapy

Despite the early and in some cases stunning results produced by gene therapy treatments in handfuls of hemophilia patients, significant questions remain about their durability, safety, and how broadly they’ll be used if they are ultimately shown to work. The first human data produced by Dimension Therapeutics, one of several companies developing hemophilia gene therapies, … Continue reading “Investors Sour on Data Debut For Dimension’s Hemophilia Gene Therapy”

Datto Buys Open Mesh to Build Out Networking Business

New England data-protection firm Datto is pushing deeper into IT networking technologies with the acquisition of Open Mesh. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed in Tuesday’s announcement. Open Mesh makes hardware and cloud-based software that it says enables IT professionals to implement secure wireless networks more quickly and cheaply than traditional networks. Open Mesh will … Continue reading “Datto Buys Open Mesh to Build Out Networking Business”

Still No Official Word From Biopharma Groups About Trump Travel Ban

Four days after President Donald Trump issued an order to temporarily ban U.S. entry for people from seven Muslim-majority countries—and for all refugees—the drug industry’s two main lobbying groups have remained silent, even while individual executives in the industry have voiced opposition. The main life science trade group in California has also stayed on the … Continue reading “Still No Official Word From Biopharma Groups About Trump Travel Ban”

Seres Dissects Failed Microbiome Drug Trial, Suggests Changes to FDA

The workings of the trillions of microbes that colonize our bodies—known collectively as the human microbiome—are still very much a mystery to scientists. Seres Therapeutics found that out firsthand when its first experimental microbiome drug, for a dangerous bacterial infection, failed a clinical trial last year, sending its shares into a freefall. Since that time, … Continue reading “Seres Dissects Failed Microbiome Drug Trial, Suggests Changes to FDA”

In Bid to Go National, Court Innovations Launches Capital Campaign

Court Innovations, a startup spun out of the University of Michigan’s law school, has steadily grown since it publicly launched in 2015. The company, whose software helps people resolve traffic tickets and other minor civil infractions online or via smartphone app, is using an innovative new model to raise capital as it prepares to expand. … Continue reading “In Bid to Go National, Court Innovations Launches Capital Campaign”

Ex-Xerox CTO Vandebroek Named Chief Operating Officer of IBM Research

When I last spoke to Sophie Vandebroek in December, it was for a kind of exit interview as she prepared to leave her longtime job as Xerox’s CTO and head of its worldwide research organization. We went over highlights of her Xerox tenure, her outlook on key technology trends for 2017 and beyond—the Internet of … Continue reading “Ex-Xerox CTO Vandebroek Named Chief Operating Officer of IBM Research”

FibroGen Pushes Forward With Anemia Pill in China, But Big Test Awaits

The race to treat kidney disease patients’ anemia with a pill, rather than an injectable biologic, continues. FibroGen this morning announced positive interim results from two Phase 3 trials that could support the first approval application for its anemia pill, roxadustat, in China. But longer studies that could prove how safe the drug is are … Continue reading “FibroGen Pushes Forward With Anemia Pill in China, But Big Test Awaits”

Cybersecurity in 2017: Goal, Illusion, or Oxymoron?

Here at the (relative) beginning of 2017, we can safely say that the previous year was among the most significant in history from a cybersecurity standpoint. Nation-state actions, in the form of the assumed Russian interference in the U.S. elections (especially the presidential race) and in the leaks of e-mails from the Clinton campaign, dominated … Continue reading “Cybersecurity in 2017: Goal, Illusion, or Oxymoron?”

Meet the 15 New Early-Stage Venture Funds in Boston Tech: Slideshow

[Updated 2/6/17, 5:15 pm. See notes in photo slideshow.] Boston’s venture investing community looks a lot different today than it did just two years ago. A new crop of venture funds has emerged to back the next wave of technology startups and, as Xconomy observed last year, perhaps change the way companies get funded and … Continue reading “Meet the 15 New Early-Stage Venture Funds in Boston Tech: Slideshow”

Bio Roundup: Trump News, Anthem’s Stand, Diversity by 2056 & More

It was a wild week in biotech and on Capitol Hill. A new study showed it may take another 40 years to achieve gender parity in public biotech boardrooms. Tensions continued to mount between drugmakers and payers over the rising costs of rare disease drugs. A flurry of deals took place, headlined by Johnson & … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Trump News, Anthem’s Stand, Diversity by 2056 & More”

Five Questions For … Erik Halvorsen of TMC’s Innovation Institute

Houston—With one year of medical school down, Erik Halvorsen was well on his way to becoming a doctor when a realization struck him: He didn’t actually want to treat patients. “I was much more interested in asking questions and I wanted to find answers to things that people never did before,” he says. So, instead … Continue reading “Five Questions For … Erik Halvorsen of TMC’s Innovation Institute”

Jounce Gets $102M As Biotech IPOs Gain Steam in ’17

Jounce Therapeutics has gone ahead of its projections and raised roughly $102 million in an IPO, continuing an early, yet successful trend for biotechs trying to go public in 2017. The Cambridge, MA, company sold close to 6,365,000 shares at $16 apiece, almost 1 million more shares than it proposed to sell a few weeks … Continue reading “Jounce Gets $102M As Biotech IPOs Gain Steam in ’17”

Boston Tech Watch: IBM, Adelphic, Mylestoned, Everbridge & More

[Updated 1/26/17, 2:42 pm. See below.] This week in Boston tech, we’re tracking a string of acquisitions, funding rounds, and more. The moves include an acquisition by IBM Security, more funding for a telecom technology company that has raised $200 million-plus from investors, more money for “deathtech” startup Mylestoned, and the reaction of a local … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: IBM, Adelphic, Mylestoned, Everbridge & More”

Just Four Months After Series A, Delinia Sells to Celgene For $300M

It didn’t take long for startup Delinia to entice a big drug developer: Just over four months after emerging from stealth and raising a Series A round, the company, developing drugs for a range of autoimmune diseases, has been acquired by Celgene. Celgene (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CELG]]) will pay $300 million up front to buy Cambridge, MA-based … Continue reading “Just Four Months After Series A, Delinia Sells to Celgene For $300M”

Inspired by NFL Teammate, Aethlon Seeks Diagnostic for Brain Injuries

Just as the NFL marketing machine is stoking the build-up to Super Bowl LI, a San Diego diagnostic company headed by a former Denver Broncos player has unveiled plans for a new clinical study of traumatic brain injuries among retired NFL players. Exosome Sciences, a subsidiary of San Diego’s Aethlon Medical (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AEMD]]), said today … Continue reading “Inspired by NFL Teammate, Aethlon Seeks Diagnostic for Brain Injuries”

Degreed, CodeFights Ready Alternative Credentials To Rival Diplomas

Two San Francisco educational technology startups that don’t offer classes, MOOCs, or other online coursework are nevertheless preparing to issue credentials that, like a college degree, may help learners land a job. Degreed and CodeFights are among the companies adding new twists to the ecosystem of alternative credentials, which are proliferating as the edtech sector … Continue reading “Degreed, CodeFights Ready Alternative Credentials To Rival Diplomas”

Redox Raises $9M to Help Developers Plug Into Health Records Systems

Redox, a Madison, WI-based startup that develops digital tools that enable healthcare applications to access data from electronic health records systems, says it has raised $9 million from investors. New York-based RRE Ventures led the Series B financing. Other participants in the funding round included return backers .406 Ventures (in Boston), HealthX Ventures (Madison), and … Continue reading “Redox Raises $9M to Help Developers Plug Into Health Records Systems”

Anthem Caps Coverage Of Biogen Spine Drug Despite Wide FDA Approval

One of the nation’s major health insurers has placed limitations on access to the first-ever approved drug for the rare spinal muscular atrophy, validating patient fears that the high price tag of the drug, nusinersen (Spinraza), might make it hard for some with the disease to get treatment. Indianapolis-based Anthem (NYSE: [[ticker:ANTM]]) has disclosed its … Continue reading “Anthem Caps Coverage Of Biogen Spine Drug Despite Wide FDA Approval”

Report: Biotech VCs Perpetuate Boardroom Gender Gap

If power in the business world is centered in the boardroom, women in biotech have a long way to go to get their fair share—and the venture community deserves much of the blame. That’s according to British recruitment firm Liftstream and its new study of biotech companies that went public in the recent boom years. … Continue reading “Report: Biotech VCs Perpetuate Boardroom Gender Gap”

Armed with $16M, Cue Biopharma Aims for Selective Immunotherapy

Among the challenges with cell therapy in cancer treatment are the side effects caused by the body itself. While prompting the immune system’s T cells to target cancer has shown potential to be effective, these experimental approaches can also trigger immune reactions that harm patients, says Daniel Passeri, president and CEO of Cue Biopharma. Cue … Continue reading “Armed with $16M, Cue Biopharma Aims for Selective Immunotherapy”

Ex-FDA Commish Califf Gives Props to Patient Groups—With Caveats

The nation’s former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Robert Califf, appearing for the first time since he resigned last week, told a Silicon Valley crowd this morning that the FDA will have to be flexible in coming years, allowing greater patient input into drug evaluation and leaning on outside watchdogs for help weeding out “imposters.” … Continue reading “Ex-FDA Commish Califf Gives Props to Patient Groups—With Caveats”

Turbonomic Grabs $50M More Amid Flurry of New England IT Deals

Enterprise IT might not be the sexiest of technology areas, but it sure can attract truckloads of money. The latest deal is a $50 million investment in Boston-based Turbonomic, a nine-year-old virtualization and cloud management software maker formerly known as VMTurbo. General Atlantic led the funding round and was joined by previous Turbonomic investors Bain … Continue reading “Turbonomic Grabs $50M More Amid Flurry of New England IT Deals”

New Lexumo CEO on IoT, Startups & Government’s Role in Cybersecurity

Dan McCall thinks the timing is right for Lexumo, a Boston-area startup aiming to help secure the world’s rapidly growing collection of Internet-connected devices and embedded systems. And Lexumo’s leaders think McCall is the right person to take the two-year-old company to the next level. Last week, Lexumo announced it hired McCall as CEO. He … Continue reading “New Lexumo CEO on IoT, Startups & Government’s Role in Cybersecurity”

Business Leaders Talk Trump’s Impact on Visas, Drug Pricing, Insurance

Perhaps you’ve heard about the inauguration of one Donald J. Trump. Xconomy has been asking prominent members of the national innovation community for their thoughts on the incoming administration and its potential impact on their companies and industries. Here are responses from four business leaders in different cities across Xconomy’s network. Alex Lash, our national … Continue reading “Business Leaders Talk Trump’s Impact on Visas, Drug Pricing, Insurance”

Bio Roundup: Tom Price, Patient Conflicts, Orphan Games & More

The new president of the United States, Donald Trump, is being sworn in today amid a storm of questions about the plans that he, and those who might work for him, have in store for American healthcare and medicine. Trump’s nominee to run the $1 trillion Health and Human Services Department, Tom Price, answered—or didn’t … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Tom Price, Patient Conflicts, Orphan Games & More”

Xconomy Forum: Robo Madness 2017— A.I. Gets Real

Robotics and artificial intelligence have gone mainstream, with major consequences for business and society. From warehouse automation and self-driving vehicles to smart home assistants and drones, robotic technologies are poised to transform daily life and work. But they’re also raising questions about A.I. ethics, the future of jobs, and the competitive landscape in technology. How … Continue reading “Xconomy Forum: Robo Madness 2017— A.I. Gets Real”

Want to Ruin Your Relationships? Ask Family and Friends to Fund Your Startup

When you need cash to fuel your startup, it’s tempting to “think local.” The people with the strongest ties to you—relatives, friends, college roommates, running buddies, and co-workers—are the ones who believe in you. You’d probably turn first to them for financial support. Capital fronted by these folks might be the quickest, easiest cash you’ll … Continue reading “Want to Ruin Your Relationships? Ask Family and Friends to Fund Your Startup”

Google Buys Crashlytics, Trusteer Vets Return & More Boston Tech News

Boston-area tech companies are making moves at a furious pace in the early goings of 2017. This week, we’re catching up on a trio of acquisitions (including a deal involving Google and Twitter), a spate of startup funding news, and new leadership at a Draper Laboratory spinout company. Read on for the details. Changing Hands —Four … Continue reading “Google Buys Crashlytics, Trusteer Vets Return & More Boston Tech News”

MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference 2017

From the event organizer: “This year’s theme is Emerging Trends in Healthcare: Personalized & Digital Health and will feature an exciting line up of industry experts, including keynote speaker Larry Renfro, CEO of Optum and Vice Chairman of UnitedHealth Group! The digitization of healthcare is evolving rapidly as consumers are taking greater control of their … Continue reading “MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference 2017”