From the event organizer: “LearnLaunch and Cengage will host a fast-paced pitch competition showcasing as some of the most innovative post-secondary edtech startups compete for the chance to wow an audience of 1000+ educators, industry experts, and potential investors at the LearnLaunch Across Boundaries Conference in February 2017. Judges from the edtech ecosystem will provide … Continue reading “Edtech Pitch Competition”
Category: Boston
Bio Roundup: Drug Pricing, Cystic Fibrosis Showdown, Myovant & More
The 2016 election is (thankfully) almost here, and as one biotech analyst noted this week, a possible Democratic victory is to blame for a big October sell-off in biotech stocks. Since Donald Trump’s infamous “Access Hollywood” tape was released on October 7, Leerink Partners analyst Geoffrey Porges wrote, biotech investors have lost $50 billion. The … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Drug Pricing, Cystic Fibrosis Showdown, Myovant & More”
Allergan Snags Rhythm’s Diabetes-Related GI Drug for $200M
[Updated 2:03 p.m. See below.] Rhythm Pharmaceuticals is selling a stomach drug for $200 million to Dublin-based Allergan, a deal that has been in the works since 2014. Allergan is acquiring Motus Therapeutics (formerly Rhythm Health), which holds the rights to the gastrointestinal drug that aims to help the stomach empty more normally. Motus is … Continue reading “Allergan Snags Rhythm’s Diabetes-Related GI Drug for $200M”
MIT Raising $150M Venture Fund to Rev “The Engine,” a New Incubator
MIT is investing $25 million in a potentially $150 million venture capital fund and opening a 26,000-square-foot startup space on the edge of its campus. The two investments will jumpstart a broad entrepreneurship initiative, dubbed The Engine, that will provide resources to startups whose technologies typically take lots of time and capital to develop—think biotech, … Continue reading “MIT Raising $150M Venture Fund to Rev “The Engine,” a New Incubator”
Boston’s Life Science Disruptors: The Photos
How did one of the ambitious gene editing startups in biotech come together? What lessons does Harvard University professor and biotech veteran Vicki Sato have about closing the gender gap after spending “most of her career” as the only woman in the room? And what would it take to get organ systems on tiny microchips … Continue reading “Boston’s Life Science Disruptors: The Photos”
Facebook Boston Grows to 100 People, Expands Networking Projects
Facebook’s Boston-area office is about three years old, and seems to be hitting a critical mass. With a headcount of about 100, the engineering center is supporting some of the company’s most visible products—as well as leading projects that could pay off further down the road. The local office—at One Broadway in Kendall Square, Cambridge, … Continue reading “Facebook Boston Grows to 100 People, Expands Networking Projects”
Despite Low Crop Prices, Corporate and VC Agtech Investments Soar
Prices for agricultural commodities such as corn, soy, and wheat are at their lowest levels in years, but investment in agricultural technology has never been better. Venture capital firms have increased their agtech investments by 80 percent since 2012, bringing total VC investment in the sector to a total of $3 billion in 2015, according … Continue reading “Despite Low Crop Prices, Corporate and VC Agtech Investments Soar”
Boston Tech Watch: TVision Tracks Eyeballs, Diffeo Grabs Cash, & More
Here are a few of the latest happenings in the Boston-area tech scene: —MIT spinout TVision Insights raised $6.8 million in an investment round led by Accomplice, with contributions from Golden Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Itochu Technology Ventures, and Project 11 Ventures. The Boston-based company uses sensors and software to detect TV viewers’ eyes, in order … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: TVision Tracks Eyeballs, Diffeo Grabs Cash, & More”
Healthfinch’s Drug Refill App Graduates to Athenahealth Marketplace
Healthfinch, a Madison, WI-based developer of software that’s aimed at saving healthcare providers and patients time and energy, said on Monday that one of its products recently became available to a wider audience. Swoop, an application Healthfinch created to make the process of reviewing prescription refill requests more efficient, is now listed on the Athenahealth … Continue reading “Healthfinch’s Drug Refill App Graduates to Athenahealth Marketplace”
FanDuel, DraftKings Settle NY Lawsuit, Ending Yearlong Legal Battle
DraftKings and FanDuel have each agreed to pay $6 million to the state of New York to settle allegations of false and deceptive advertising, clearing the final legal hurdle in an almost yearlong dispute with authorities in one of the most lucrative states for the online daily fantasy sports industry. The settlements announced Tuesday mark … Continue reading “FanDuel, DraftKings Settle NY Lawsuit, Ending Yearlong Legal Battle”
OpenDataSoft Garners $5,400,000 Series A Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=df76c54d-f19a-4daf-8cac-f9859f014136 Date 10/26/2016 Company Name OpenDataSoft Mailing Address 50 Milk St 16th Floor Boston, MA 02109 USA Company Description Founded in 2011, OpenDataSoft develops a turnkey SaaS platform designed for smart and easy transformation of all types of data into innovative services (APIs, data visualizations, real-time monitoring). Our mission: make it easier … Continue reading “OpenDataSoft Garners $5,400,000 Series A Round”
With Insider Help, Ra Pharma Upsizes IPO, Bags $92M
The IPO market has been much more discerning about biotechs in 2016 than it was during the 2013-2015 boom. But Wall Street investors embraced Ra Pharmaceuticals Tuesday evening, enabling the Cambridge, MA-based company to close an even bigger IPO than it had hoped for. Ra raised close to $92 million in the offering. The company … Continue reading “With Insider Help, Ra Pharma Upsizes IPO, Bags $92M”
Latest Data Show Venture Capital Industry on Pins and Needles
Given the obvious anxiety and frustration that surrounds us all, the U.S. venture industry is also exhibiting some fatigue as we finish the 88th month since the last recession. This is the fourth-longest period of economic growth in U.S. history (admittedly, at 2.1 percent, the growth over this period of time is the slowest since … Continue reading “Latest Data Show Venture Capital Industry on Pins and Needles”
FDA: Keytruda Now OK For Some Patients With Untreated Lung Cancer
The FDA has approved the use of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for some previously untreated patients with a certain type of lung cancer, the drug’s owner Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]) announced late Monday. Pembrolizumab can now be used for patients who have never received treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to other parts of … Continue reading “FDA: Keytruda Now OK For Some Patients With Untreated Lung Cancer”
Why Friday’s Massive DDoS Attack Should Be Terrifying
Friday’s massive DDoS attack made a number of hugely popular websites unavailable for much of the country for large parts of the day. Our service wasn’t directly affected by this incident, but the nature and scope of this attack is tremendously worrisome. In a Denial of Service (DoS) attack, the perpetrator overwhelms a target company … Continue reading “Why Friday’s Massive DDoS Attack Should Be Terrifying”
From Robo Doctors to Mood Trackers, Emotion Sensing Is Coming
The proliferation of smartphones and wearable devices has enabled people to track all kinds of data about their physical health, from heart rate to steps walked in a day. Now, tech companies have their sights set on helping us—and perhaps others—monitor our mental health. “We’ve gotten very good at quantifying the physical self,” said Affectiva … Continue reading “From Robo Doctors to Mood Trackers, Emotion Sensing Is Coming”
Bio Roundup: Jenkins Gets Mad, Bernie Gets His Pen, CRISPR IPO & J-Lo
If you’re among those frustrated by the lack of talk about health and science in the three presidential debates, this week perhaps brought you a wee consolation prize. The steady drip of hacked Hillary Clinton-related emails showed her campaign team questioning then-candidate FDA commissioner Robert Califf’s ties to the pharma industry. The staff also crowed … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Jenkins Gets Mad, Bernie Gets His Pen, CRISPR IPO & J-Lo”
EverQuote Secures $23,000,000 Series B Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0d2f08e2-d52a-4702-a7fe-1f8f82613896 Date 10/21/2016 Company Name EverQuote Mailing Address 210 Broadway Cambridge, MA 02139 USA Company Description At EverQuote.com, we believe that nothing is more important than your budget. So we help you make sure you are paying as little as possible for expenses like insurance. EverQuote.com makes finding great insurance easy! Website … Continue reading “EverQuote Secures $23,000,000 Series B Funding Round”
4G Clinical Obtains $5,000,000 Series A Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=cfd0d254-e612-4575-9b88-2060a239484c Date 10/21/2016 Company Name 4G Clinical Mailing Address 21A Farm Street Dover, MA 02030 USA Company Description We reduce the time it takes to commercialize vital medications by delivering validated, easily extended RTSM capabilities to Pharma and CROs faster than anyone in the world. Website http://www.4gclinical.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction … Continue reading “4G Clinical Obtains $5,000,000 Series A Funding Round”
Emulate Garners $17,000,000 Series B Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=632782e4-8a61-4a72-8da1-c1fdf972542e Date 10/21/2016 Company Name Emulate Mailing Address 27 Drydock Avenue 5th Floor Boston, MA 02210 USA Company Description Official website of Emulate, Inc. Based on our Organs-on-Chips technology, we have created a new living system that emulates human biology. Website http://www.emulatebio.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $17,000,000 Transaction Round Series … Continue reading “Emulate Garners $17,000,000 Series B Funding”
Alkermes Eyes FDA Nod After Retooled Study Yields Desired Results
Alkermes believes it has done it: showed that patients who took its treatment for depression fared better than people who didn’t. Based in Dublin and Waltham, MA, Alkermes (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ALKS]]) said Thursday afternoon that its once-a-day pill, ALKS 5461, met the primary aim of reducing symptoms of major depressive disorder in comparison to a placebo … Continue reading “Alkermes Eyes FDA Nod After Retooled Study Yields Desired Results”
Fred Hutch Team Wants To Move Clean-Room Gene Therapy To Tabletop
[Corrected, 10/24/16, 2:44 p.m. See below.] In 2009, Jennifer Adair was helping treat a brain cancer patient in an experimental study. The trial required genetic modification of the patient’s blood stem cells in a specialized sterile room at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where Adair is a gene therapy researcher. Over the course of … Continue reading “Fred Hutch Team Wants To Move Clean-Room Gene Therapy To Tabletop”
Xconomy Forum: The State of Cybersecurity
In today’s tech landscape, hackers have the means and economic incentive to threaten organizations in every industry. Techniques from ransomware to rogue devices can be used to manipulate or access bank accounts, health records, corporate software, and critical infrastructure. Now a growing cluster of cybersecurity companies is working with customers, including governments, to combat the … Continue reading “Xconomy Forum: The State of Cybersecurity”
Insurance Marketplace EverQuote Grabs $23M to Goose $100M+ Business
With just $1 million in outside funding from Link Ventures, EverQuote built a $100 million-plus business with 185 employees. Now we’ll see what it can do with another $23 million in the bank. Today the Cambridge, MA-based firm announced a $23 million Series B funding round led by Maryland-based Savano Capital Partners, with contributions from … Continue reading “Insurance Marketplace EverQuote Grabs $23M to Goose $100M+ Business”
BlackThorn Emerges With $40M, New Weapons Against Neuro Disorders
For three years, a group of investors and experienced neuroscience executives have been stealthily advancing one of the more ambitious new startups in neurology, called BlackThorn Therapeutics. Today they’re finally shedding a little light on what they’ve been up to. As Xconomy reported last year, South San Francisco, CA-based BlackThorn was spun out of Scripps … Continue reading “BlackThorn Emerges With $40M, New Weapons Against Neuro Disorders”
HigherMe Secures $1,500,000 Seed Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4ca90c00-57ac-482c-a077-ed5340cb2282 Date 10/20/2016 Company Name HigherMe Mailing Address 21 Dry Dock Avenue Boston, MA 02210 USA Company Description HigherMe uses data and video to help retail and service employers find, screen, and hire better employees faster. Applicants go to our site and answer questions – both objective (when are they available to … Continue reading “HigherMe Secures $1,500,000 Seed Round”
Ashton Kutcher Funds Pillar at Forbes Summit, & More Boston Tech News
Boston was star struck this week, as the Forbes Under 30 Summit brought Michael Phelps, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba, Richard Branson, and other big names to town. Besides the usual speeches and panel discussions one would expect at a business conference, the summit also featured musical performances by nationally known artists such as Jason Derulo; … Continue reading “Ashton Kutcher Funds Pillar at Forbes Summit, & More Boston Tech News”
Here’s the Agenda for What’s Hot in Boston Healthtech on Nov. 17
The older I get, the more often I am reminded of big problems in our healthcare system. I don’t have the answers, but I do have some questions. One of them is how much technology can help solve these problems—long wait times, high costs, failures of communication—and how fast that could happen. On November 17, … Continue reading “Here’s the Agenda for What’s Hot in Boston Healthtech on Nov. 17”
Arterys, GE Healthcare to Roll Out Next-Gen MRI Scans of Heart
The healthcare tools of the future often start as research projects in academic medical centers, but they may not break out into widespread clinical practice until some sort of logjam gives way to make them workable and affordable. GE Healthcare, a unit of Boston-based industrial giant General Electric, recognized some limits on MRI scanners like … Continue reading “Arterys, GE Healthcare to Roll Out Next-Gen MRI Scans of Heart”
All In One Place: A New Immuno-Oncology Trial Resource
More than 100 years ago, New York bone surgeon William Coley began to suspect that bacterial infections might be improving the outlook for patients also suffering from cancer. The infections were turbo-charging the immune system. Coley (pictured) would be gratified to see that in 2016 a growing array of immune-boosting cancer treatments are helping some … Continue reading “All In One Place: A New Immuno-Oncology Trial Resource”
At NY Life Sci 2021, Yancopoulos, Dunn & More to Ponder NYC’s Bio Future
Five years is a long time. But in New York biotech it might as well be a century given how fast things are changing. Back in 2011, Xconomy held an event called New York Life Sciences 2031. In light of a major initiative by city, university, and industry leaders to spur the local life sciences … Continue reading “At NY Life Sci 2021, Yancopoulos, Dunn & More to Ponder NYC’s Bio Future”
The Power of the Cloud for Life Science R&D
“In the new world, it is not the big fish which eats the small fish, it’s the fast fish which eats the slow fish…” — Klaus Schwab, Founder/Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum Over the past decade, the nature of innovation has changed—even as the pace has substantially increased. One of the reasons has been the ability … Continue reading “The Power of the Cloud for Life Science R&D”
CRISPR Therapeutics Raises $56M In IPO, Half Its Rivals’ Haul
CRISPR Therapeutics has raised $56 million in an initial public offering, making it the third company developing human medicines with the gene editing system CRISPR-Cas9 to make the IPO leap in 2016. Split between Switzerland and Cambridge, MA, CRISPR Therapeutics sold 4 million shares at $14 apiece, raising about 25 percent less than the target … Continue reading “CRISPR Therapeutics Raises $56M In IPO, Half Its Rivals’ Haul”
Led by iRobot, Mass. Robotics Cluster Growing, But Sales Still Small
When it comes to robotics companies in the Boston area, there’s iRobot—and then there’s everyone else. A new study found that there are 122 robotics firms in Massachusetts, which employ around 4,700 people in total. Last year, those companies generated $1.6 billion in revenue from robotics products and related services, according to the report. (Some … Continue reading “Led by iRobot, Mass. Robotics Cluster Growing, But Sales Still Small”
After “Hubris” and Its HCV Collapse, Can Vertex Avoid Same Mistakes?
Five years ago, in November 2011, a company from Princeton, NJ, called Pharmasset shared news that would have an impact on millions of people around the world with hepatitis C. Its experimental drug PSI-7977 had quickly cleared the virus from 40 patients, with minimal side effects, and they had stayed infection-free. If the data held … Continue reading “After “Hubris” and Its HCV Collapse, Can Vertex Avoid Same Mistakes?”
Veritas Genetics Secures $30,000,000 Series B Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=67c1947a-4368-40fe-8347-c1f558170830 Date 10/18/2016 Company Name Veritas Genetics Mailing Address 99 Conifer Hill Drive Danvers, MA 01923 USA Company Description We are a passionate and dynamic group of scientists, engineers, genetic counselors, business folk, and designers. Our goal: empower people to live healthier, longer. Website http://www.veritasgenetics.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $30,000,000 … Continue reading “Veritas Genetics Secures $30,000,000 Series B Financing Round”
Veritas Genetics Lands $30M for $1,000 Genome Sequencing
Veritas Genetics, which sells genome sequencing and genetic screening tests, has received a $30 million Series B round of funding to add more products, build out its digital tools for consumers, and ink partnerships with hospitals and researchers around the world. The Boston-based company simultaneously hired three new executives to handle each of those endeavors: … Continue reading “Veritas Genetics Lands $30M for $1,000 Genome Sequencing”
Last Chance to Save on Boston’s Life Science Disruptors on 10/20
This Thursday, Oct. 20, join Xconomy at “Boston’s Life Science Disruptors” for an evening of candid and interactive chats about some of the most disruptive areas in the life sciences industry. Don’t wait to register—our Fall Special ends tomorrow and it’s your last chance to save some cash on a ticket. As always, we’ve convened … Continue reading “Last Chance to Save on Boston’s Life Science Disruptors on 10/20”
Ex-Celgene Dealmaker Tom Daniel Charts a New Course Advising Biotechs
For close to a decade, Tom Daniel and George Golumbeski comprised perhaps one of the best-known dealmaking duos in biopharma, striking a slew of alliances that established Summit, NJ-based Celgene as one of the more creative, nimble biotech partners in the business. “We think alike,” Daniel says. “We can pretty much finish each other’s sentences.” … Continue reading “Ex-Celgene Dealmaker Tom Daniel Charts a New Course Advising Biotechs”
Ovuline Secures $9,752,028 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4009db9e-767d-49e2-a532-89ca70e7ce99 Date 10/17/2016 Company Name Ovuline Mailing Address 10 Magaine Street Cambridge, MA 02139 USA Company Description Ovuline helps couples conceive faster. Going way beyond fertility calendars and period trackers, Ovuline tells couples when they are fertile and exactly what to do each day to maximize their chances of getting pregnant. Ovuline … Continue reading “Ovuline Secures $9,752,028 New Financing Round”
Xenex CEO Miller Starts Tectonic Ventures With Boston Investor
San Antonio—Texas entrepreneur Morris Miller has created a new venture capital firm, Tectonic Ventures, with a Boston-based financier who has invested in at least two of Miller’s companies. Newton, MA-based Tectonic was incorporated in 2016 of this year by Matthew Rhodes-Kropf, an associate professor of finance at MIT and venture capital investor, according to an SEC … Continue reading “Xenex CEO Miller Starts Tectonic Ventures With Boston Investor”
As China Invests in Robotics, iRobot and Other Companies Eye Deals
China emerged as a manufacturing powerhouse over the past few decades, thanks in large part to a deep pool of cheap labor. Now, the country is investing heavily in factory automation, and Boston-area robotics companies and their allies smell opportunity. Executives from 11 New England robotics firms will travel to several cities in China later … Continue reading “As China Invests in Robotics, iRobot and Other Companies Eye Deals”
Bio Roundup: Bristol & Illumina Blues, Sickle Cell News & More
On Aug. 4, shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb closed at $75.32. Today, shares are worth just over $50. That means in three months, Bristol has lost a third of its value, equivalent to about $40 billion in market capitalization. The reason? One failed clinical trial has left rival Merck in the lead position to have what … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Bristol & Illumina Blues, Sickle Cell News & More”
Iora Health Obtains $75,000,000 Series D Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f5d56d2d-cc97-4ea7-b02f-6d01a1b6b403 Date 10/14/2016 Company Name Iora Health Mailing Address 222 Third Street Cambridge, MA 02108 USA Company Description Iora Health is a private healthcare company help patients manage their health and navigate the healthcare system. Website http://www.iorahealth.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $75,000,000 Transaction Round Series D Proceeds Purposes Iora will … Continue reading “Iora Health Obtains $75,000,000 Series D Financing Round”
Convergent Dental Garners $6,825,367 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=278abca1-71ca-4d07-915a-65b358372933 Date 10/14/2016 Company Name Convergent Dental Mailing Address 2 Vision Drive Natick, MA 01760 USA Company Description Creators of Solea, the first CO2 dental laser cleared by the FDA for hard and soft tissue indications. Dread-free, drill-free dentistry is finally in sight. Website http://www.convergentdental.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $6,825,367 … Continue reading “Convergent Dental Garners $6,825,367 New Round”
Iora Health Dials Up $75M to Expand Primary Care Clinics
[Updated 10/13/16, 5:33 pm, with CEO comments at end of story.] Investors just pumped $75 million into Iora Health in a fresh round aimed at helping the Boston-based startup expand its primary care practices to more locations and improve the software that helps run them. The Series D round announced today was led by Singapore-based … Continue reading “Iora Health Dials Up $75M to Expand Primary Care Clinics”
With Upgraded Tech, Bluebird Updates Regulatory Path For Gene Therapy
After flying high for a few years, Bluebird Bio has dealt with some adversity. Limitations emerged late last year for a gene therapy the company was developing for the blood diseases beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease, and shares took a beating. Ever since then, the Cambridge, MA, company has been working to improve its technology. … Continue reading “With Upgraded Tech, Bluebird Updates Regulatory Path For Gene Therapy”
Aquaculture Industry Casts Wider Net in Food and Consumer Markets
Water covers more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, but the oceans’ capacity for meeting the growing consumer demand for seafood is limited—the seas are simply overfished. Some new business opportunities are emerging to produce more fish amid dwindling fish resources. Global seafood consumption reached 143 million metric tons in 2009, an increase of … Continue reading “Aquaculture Industry Casts Wider Net in Food and Consumer Markets”
Ex-Alnylam Exec Sorensen Heads to Codiak Bio
Woburn, MA-based Codiak Biosciences has named Benny Sorensen its vice president and head of clinical development. Sorensen, who will report to Codiak CEO Doug Williams, was most recently a senior director of clinical research at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ALNY]]).
Ocular Therapeutix Inks Licensing Deal With Regeneron For Wet AMD
Ocular Therapeutix announced a deal this morning with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to develop a sustained-release form of aflibercept (Eylea), Regeneron’s drug for the “wet” form of age-related macular degeneration. Tarrytown, NY-based Regeneron (NASDAQ: [[ticker:REGN]]) would pay $10 million to Ocular if it exercises an option to the experimental product. Ocular would be responsible for early stage development of … Continue reading “Ocular Therapeutix Inks Licensing Deal With Regeneron For Wet AMD”