Category: Boston

More Gene Therapy Momentum as Startup Avrobio Grabs $25M From Atlas, SV

Gene therapy developers are on bit of a roll. Last week saw the release of promising data on gene therapies for hemophilia and the acquisition by Pfizer of a startup dedicated to the technology. And now another recently launched company, Avrobio, just grabbed a $25 million round of funding. The Cambridge, MA-based company was formally … Continue reading “More Gene Therapy Momentum as Startup Avrobio Grabs $25M From Atlas, SV”

Robotic Kitchens, Sports Apps, Hedge Fund Bets & More Boston Tech

[Updated 8/2/16, 3:18 p.m. See below.] We’ve officially entered the dog days of summer, although it already felt like that with the recent heat wave. Now that temperatures in Boston have cooled down a little, take a moment to catch up on some recent local tech headlines that you might’ve missed: —In one of the … Continue reading “Robotic Kitchens, Sports Apps, Hedge Fund Bets & More Boston Tech”

CargoMetrics Secures $9,745,712 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e883c4e1-14a5-49d8-a756-c71512d39d0e Date 8/2/2016 Company Name CargoMetrics Mailing Address 55 Court Street 2nd Floor Boston, MA 02108 USA Company Description CargoMetrics operates as a data analytics company. Website http://www.cargometrics.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $9,745,712 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. 9 investors participated in the offering. The … Continue reading “CargoMetrics Secures $9,745,712 New Funding Round”

Massachusetts Passes Uber Bill; Noncompete & Airbnb Proposals Fail

In a frenetic end to the Massachusetts legislative session, state lawmakers worked throughout the weekend and past a midnight deadline Sunday to send several bills to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk. But for three proposals with implications for the state’s tech sector, inaction mostly ruled. House and Senate lawmakers couldn’t agree on a compromise to iron … Continue reading “Massachusetts Passes Uber Bill; Noncompete & Airbnb Proposals Fail”

Biogen Buys Ionis Spine Disease Drug For $75M, Eyes FDA Filing

Spinal muscular atrophy affects over 25,000 people in the U.S. and stops many of them from ever being able to walk. Yet scientists’ understanding of the underlying genetic cause of SMA is fairly recent, which is why drugs for the disease are only now progressing through the pipelines of biotech and pharma companies. The most … Continue reading “Biogen Buys Ionis Spine Disease Drug For $75M, Eyes FDA Filing”

Ford, MIT Partner on Mobility Project to Predict Pedestrian Traffic

A new research collaboration between Ford and MIT studies how pedestrians move in densely populated areas in order to improve transportation such as point-to-point shuttle services—and the data will also help Ford beef up its autonomous and driver-assist technologies. The MIT project is designed to enhance models that predict demand for mobility-on-demand services, such as … Continue reading “Ford, MIT Partner on Mobility Project to Predict Pedestrian Traffic”

Gaining an Edge: Understanding Cyber Risk Appetite

Not long ago, companies prepared for cyber risks the way they might for a hurricane, flood, or other disaster situation: Brace for the worst, and hope for the best. Those days are over. Security breaches across industries have put cyber squarely on everybody’s risk agenda. But while they’re taking cyber threats seriously, many companies are … Continue reading “Gaining an Edge: Understanding Cyber Risk Appetite”

Ministry of Supply Lands $2,500,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3879bf5a-3f9b-4ad6-a86f-0e753f859720 Date 8/1/2016 Company Name Ministry of Supply Mailing Address 299 Newbury Street Boston, MA 02115 USA Company Description Ministry of Supply creates high performance business wear. The company, out of MIT, has come up with proprietary fabric using advanced material science to create shirts that respond to your active workday. Website … Continue reading “Ministry of Supply Lands $2,500,000 New Financing”

NXT-ID Obtains $4,500,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e3c823c1-11c2-481d-aca2-d81b1f4e4b4b Date 8/1/2016 Company Name NXT-ID Mailing Address 288 Christian Street Oxford, CT 06478 USA Company Description The founders of NXT-ID were an integral part of the senior management teams at Technest Holdings, Inc., and its subsidiary Genex Technologies. Genex Technologies was founded in 1995 to develop and commercialize the unique Rainbow … Continue reading “NXT-ID Obtains $4,500,000 New Financing Round”

Talend Raises $95M in IPO: A Boost For Others Waiting in the Wings?

The pricing of data integration company Talend’s IPO shares late Thursday, and its instant jump in trading Friday, delivered a booster shot for the optimism following fellow Silicon Valley company Twilio’s successful market debut last month. Talend sold 5.25 million shares at $18 apiece, above its anticipated range of $15 to $17, to raise $95 … Continue reading “Talend Raises $95M in IPO: A Boost For Others Waiting in the Wings?”

Boston-Power Vets Take New Approach With Battery Startup Cadenza

Christina Lampe-Onnerud has found it much easier to get a foot in the door with partners and potential customers for her second lithium-ion battery startup, Cadenza Innovation, than for her first, Boston-Power. Maybe that’s because the advanced battery market has matured since she started Boston-Power in 2005. The industry has grown to about 100 lithium-ion … Continue reading “Boston-Power Vets Take New Approach With Battery Startup Cadenza”

Biotech Roundup: Gilead Slump, Celgene Goes Trump, Hemo Data & More

Quarterly biopharma earnings added a little heat to the already high summer temperatures. Amongst several companies to report this week, the biggest news came from Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]), whose hepatitis C drugs have become some of the top revenue producers in the industry. But the company said this week that sales of Sovaldi and … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Gilead Slump, Celgene Goes Trump, Hemo Data & More”

In a Microbiome Setback, Seres Drug Fails in Phase 2, Shares Crushed

Seres Therapeutics raised $134 million in an IPO and made history in the process, becoming the first drug developer targeting the microbiome to go public in the U.S. But disappointing news from the Cambridge, MA, company today shows just how much we have yet to understand about the relationship between trillions of bacteria that colonize … Continue reading “In a Microbiome Setback, Seres Drug Fails in Phase 2, Shares Crushed”

At Alzheimer’s Meeting, Firms Take Page From Silver Linings Playbook

The big drug news from the annual Alzheimer’s Association meeting this week involved companies that have found silver linings in otherwise gloomy data—a recurrent theme in Alzheimer’s clinical work. The trials are expensive, so companies are loathe to write them off completely, and the social urgency of finding new treatments encourages data analysis that is … Continue reading “At Alzheimer’s Meeting, Firms Take Page From Silver Linings Playbook”

3Derm Systems Garners $1,655,709 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2858de17-6d1b-4f68-b207-9bf7b9b20213 Date 7/29/2016 Company Name 3Derm Systems Mailing Address 55 Whitney Ave. New Haven, CT 06520 USA Company Description We use cool pics to detect skin cancer at the earlier more treatable stages. Less waiting, more life saving. Website http://www.3derm.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,655,709 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes … Continue reading “3Derm Systems Garners $1,655,709 New Funding”

Riverbed Technology Acquires Aternity for Undisclosed Sum

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3c67e21f-b31e-4bdc-b3ab-776e3467b7bd Date 7/29/2016 Company Name Aternity Mailing Address 200 Friberg Parkway Westborough, MA 01581 USA Company Description Aternity provides powerful Application Performance Management and End User Monitoring tools to reduce business disruptions and increase user productivity. Website http://www.aternity.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes M&A Terms The acquisition … Continue reading “Riverbed Technology Acquires Aternity for Undisclosed Sum”

At Big Hemophilia Meeting, More Data, and Promise, For Gene Therapy

This week’s World Federation of Hemophilia World Congress in Orlando, FL, where researchers gathered to present the latest updates in treatments for the chronic bleeding disorder, marked the latest step in a journey that dates back more than two decades for one particular treatment: gene therapy. Gene therapy provides the potential of a long-term treatment … Continue reading “At Big Hemophilia Meeting, More Data, and Promise, For Gene Therapy”

After Zafgen Abandons Prader-Willi Drug, Could Rhythm Offer Hope?

An effective treatment for Prader-Willi Syndrome would mean more to Kate Kane than just being free of the insatiable hunger the disease causes. It could mean being able to do something as normal as hold a job—like her dream of being a veterinary technician. That dream has been already stamped out once. One of the … Continue reading “After Zafgen Abandons Prader-Willi Drug, Could Rhythm Offer Hope?”

Immedia Semiconductor Lands $1,010,000 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6ae116bb-4b4d-4225-9857-17f776a96d57 Date 7/28/2016 Company Name Immedia Semiconductor Mailing Address 100 Burtt Road Andover, MA 01810 USA Company Description Immedia Semiconductor develops and markets semiconductor based ISP and video compression technology for consumer electronics. Website http://www.immediasemi.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $1,010,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. 1 … Continue reading “Immedia Semiconductor Lands $1,010,000 New Funding”

Kuvee Garners $2,250,001 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8577c205-f5ed-4b33-b489-4b5378832381 Date 7/28/2016 Company Name Kuvee Mailing Address 125 Kingston Street Boston, MA 02111 USA Company Description Kuvée is a revolutionary Direct to Consumer Wine Service enabled by the world’s first connected wine bottle, that keeps wine fresh for 30 days, and lets drinkers enjoy the variety and choice of a restaurant … Continue reading “Kuvee Garners $2,250,001 New Funding Round”

How Richard Branson and Snoop Dogg Use Social Media Vs. Social Unrest

Last month, I spent a week on Necker Island, where Richard Branson and a bunch of entrepreneurs were discussing how we could help address political upheavals, intolerance, violence, social inequality, and other issues. It’s almost like we’re in a war right now. Nations are split in half. On one side you have citizens who want … Continue reading “How Richard Branson and Snoop Dogg Use Social Media Vs. Social Unrest”

Analog Devices Buys Linear for $14.8B as Boston Tech Plays Dealmaker

A lot of California tech companies have gobbled up Boston-area firms over the years, often leaving local advocates lamenting the loss of yet another headquarters or anchor tech company. On Tuesday it was the reverse. Boston-based LogMeIn (NASDAQ: [[ticker:LOGM]]) announced plans to scoop up its rival GoTo business from Santa Clara, CA-based Citrix Systems (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CTXS]]) … Continue reading “Analog Devices Buys Linear for $14.8B as Boston Tech Plays Dealmaker”

With $40M Bid, Pfizer Set to Buy, And Close, Bankrupt Bind Tx

[Updated, 2:30 p.m. ET, see below] It’s not uncommon for a biotech’s larger partner to make a buyout offer for its smaller counterpart. But unfortunately for Bind Therapeutics, that bid, from pharma giant Pfizer, means the company could be about to close down for good. Cambridge, MA-based Bind (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIND]]) said that Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]) … Continue reading “With $40M Bid, Pfizer Set to Buy, And Close, Bankrupt Bind Tx”

For Cengage Exec, Detroit Collective Impact About Hope, Education

Ron Stefanski, Cengage Learning’s executive director of strategic alliances, grew up on the east side of Detroit on Tappan Street. Like many local families in the 1970s, his was swept up in the wave of suburban white flight that followed the 1967 riots—except for his grandmother, Vicki, a tough old bird he described as “Edith … Continue reading “For Cengage Exec, Detroit Collective Impact About Hope, Education”

Codeship Garners $7,000,000 Series A Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2d53401d-272e-4ad9-b188-aef17f0ac68d Date 7/27/2016 Company Name Codeship Mailing Address 745 Atlantic Avenue Boston, MA 02111 USA Company Description Codeship is a fast and secure hosted Continuous Delivery platform that scales with your needs. Website http://www.codeship.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $7,000,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed … Continue reading “Codeship Garners $7,000,000 Series A Funding Round”

LogMeIn Grabs Citrix’s Rival Collaboration Tools in $1.8B Merger

LogMeIn plans to join forces with a division of rival Citrix Systems in a $1.8 billion deal aimed at creating a juggernaut in the world of cloud-based business software. For much of its 13-year history, Boston-based LogMeIn (NASDAQ: [[ticker:LOGM]]) has been best known for cloud software that allows employees and IT service providers to remotely … Continue reading “LogMeIn Grabs Citrix’s Rival Collaboration Tools in $1.8B Merger”

Clinton Versus Trump: Who’s Stronger on Innovation?

With the Republican National Convention behind us and the Democratic convention in full swing, it seems like a good moment to ask how a Donald Trump presidency or a Hillary Clinton presidency might affect the prospects for high-tech entrepreneurship and business growth in the United States. At this stage, both candidates have given major economic … Continue reading “Clinton Versus Trump: Who’s Stronger on Innovation?”

Tokai Pharma Shutters Prostate Cancer Drug Trial Early, Shares Crumble

Tokai Pharmaceuticals has been trying to play catch-up for years in the fast-moving field of prostate cancer treatments. But that plan just took a major hit this morning. Cambridge, MA-based Tokai (NASDAQ: [[ticker:TKAI]]) said that an independent data monitoring committee instructed the company to stop the big Phase 3 trial of its prospective prostate cancer … Continue reading “Tokai Pharma Shutters Prostate Cancer Drug Trial Early, Shares Crumble”

Volition Closes $250M Fund to Invest in Bootstrapped Businesses

Boston-based growth equity firm Volition Capital says it has raised a $250 million third fund, its largest to date. The firm is trying to carve out a niche by investing in small but established tech companies that have strong revenue growth and, ideally, have raised little to no outside capital. It’s a sign of increasing … Continue reading “Volition Closes $250M Fund to Invest in Bootstrapped Businesses”

Boston Tech Watch: Dell-EMC, Codeship, Compete Job Cuts & More

We’ve got lots of Boston tech news to catch up on from the past week, including a crucial step for the Dell-EMC merger, new venture capital deals, job cuts, and executives on the move. Read on for details. Grabbing cash —Boston-based Codeship announced Tuesday it raised $7 million in a Series A funding round led … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Dell-EMC, Codeship, Compete Job Cuts & More”

The Outbreaks Are Here, Where’s Our Response Plan?

The news of the first Zika case in Pierce County—the 14th in Washington State—reminds us that the spread of disease is inevitable. While we don’t have in our region the kind of mosquito that transmits Zika, the latest infected patient returned from a visit to Puerto Rico. Thanks to modern travel, whether by mosquitoes or … Continue reading “The Outbreaks Are Here, Where’s Our Response Plan?”

Dallas Cybersecurity Software Firm StackPath Makes $180M Debut

Dallas—StackPath, a cybersecurity software company based in Dallas, has come out of stealth mode with $180 million in investment and 30,000 customers, according to media reports. StackPath is led by Lance Crosby, former co-founder and CEO of SoftLayer, a Dallas software company that IBM acquired for an estimated $2 billion in 2013. “The Internet is … Continue reading “Dallas Cybersecurity Software Firm StackPath Makes $180M Debut”

Tobira Fails Main Goal in NASH Study, But Forges Ahead To Next Trial

[Updated, 9:40 a.m. ET, see below] Developing treatments for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a dangerous liver disease that’s fast becoming an epidemic, is one of the most competitive fields in biotech. Tobira Therapeutics is one of several companies in the mix, and although data released this morning cast doubt on the potential of its drug, the company … Continue reading “Tobira Fails Main Goal in NASH Study, But Forges Ahead To Next Trial”

New York’s B12 Continues Trend of “Human-Assisted A.I.” Startups

For years, critics have viewed artificial intelligence technologies as an existential threat to human workers’ jobs (if not our lives, but that’s a whole other debate). But with the latest wave of A.I. startups, some entrepreneurs are aiming for a middle ground where humans team up with A.I. programs to take advantage of each other’s … Continue reading “New York’s B12 Continues Trend of “Human-Assisted A.I.” Startups”

The Real Cracks in the Foundation of Ransomware

The rise of ransomware has been striking over the past two years, rapidly dominating headlines with its frequency, its wide range of victims, and its profitability. So when news hit that two of the largest and most notorious delivery systems for ransomware — the Necurs botnet and the Angler exploit kit — had gone dark, … Continue reading “The Real Cracks in the Foundation of Ransomware”

Biotech Roundup: Scangos’s Exit, Zafgen’s Shakeup, Jounce, Relypsa & More

The top news in biotech this week centers around one big job opening: the head seat at Biogen, now that George Scangos has announced plans to leave the company. Who takes the gig, and the strategic direction he or she chooses for Biogen will have implications not just for the company and its employees, but … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Scangos’s Exit, Zafgen’s Shakeup, Jounce, Relypsa & More”

N-of-One Secures $7,000,000 Series B Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c16b8b70-f3b0-4298-881a-49a143b9c788 Date 7/22/2016 Company Name N-of-One Mailing Address 430 Bedford Street Lexington, MA 02420 USA Company Description N-of-One tackles this challenge by supporting physicians with high quality interpretation that unlocks the power of precision medicine. Our team of oncology experts uses an automated delivery system to provide highly scalable, reliable and affordable … Continue reading “N-of-One Secures $7,000,000 Series B Financing”

Boston Pharma Taps Ex-Catabasis Exec as CFO

Boston Pharmaceuticals has named ex-Catabasis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CATB]]) chief financial officer Ian Sanderson, a one-time pharmaceuticals analyst at Cowen and Co., its new CFO. Boston Pharma was formed last year with a $600 million bankroll and is chaired by former Sanofi CEO Chris Viehbacher and headed by Robert Armstrong, a former executive at Eli Lilly’s … Continue reading “Boston Pharma Taps Ex-Catabasis Exec as CFO”

Nuance Buying TouchCommerce for $215M in Digital Customer Service

Speech and interface tech company Nuance Communications said Thursday it is acquiring southern California firm TouchCommerce for $215 million in cash and stock. The deal is expected to close by the end of September. Burlington, MA-based Nuance (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NUAN]]) plans to integrate TouchCommerce’s customer service products into its suite of systems for helping big companies … Continue reading “Nuance Buying TouchCommerce for $215M in Digital Customer Service”

Indigo’s Microbial Tech for Crops Lands $100M to Fight Plant Stresses

Indigo, an agricultural technology startup, has discovered ways that microbes help a plant grow under dry conditions. Now the company is pulling back the curtain on some of that work as it ramps up efforts to bring this technology to farmers. Boston-based Indigo is announcing this morning it has closed a $100 million Series C … Continue reading “Indigo’s Microbial Tech for Crops Lands $100M to Fight Plant Stresses”

Fulcrum Therapeutics Garners $55,000,000 Series A Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=99f67799-9ff9-4ab7-96c5-18a3b8d0f817 Date 7/21/2016 Company Name Fulcrum Therapeutics Mailing Address One Kendall Square Cambridge, MA 02139 USA Company Description We are here to develop new medicines to deliver a new future for patients and their families by transforming gene regulation in disease. Above all we are champions for our patients. Trust, Respect, Compassion … Continue reading “Fulcrum Therapeutics Garners $55,000,000 Series A Funding”

Kenesto Obtains $561,662 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5bd3cdb5-8ebd-4c32-b9bd-3ec7571a3925 Date 7/21/2016 Company Name Kenesto Mailing Address 59 West Dedham Street Boston, MA 02118 USA Company Description Kenesto is aiming to deliver simple options for engineers and designers to store, share and collaborate with CAD and other documents on the cloud. Website http://www.kenesto.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $561,662 Transaction … Continue reading “Kenesto Obtains $561,662 New Funding Round”

Indigo Garners $100,000,000 Series C Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5876f16d-f79c-4cf1-ade8-f003c1358a7e Date 7/21/2016 Company Name Indigo Mailing Address 500 Rutherford Ave. Charlestown, MA 02129 USA Company Description We strive to be a motivating place to work. We will interact with others with transparency, honesty and integrity. We apply this principle to employees, partners, investors, regulators, farmers and consumers. Website http://www.indigoag.com Transaction Type … Continue reading “Indigo Garners $100,000,000 Series C Financing Round”

App Developer Bluebridge Spins Out Emplify for Employee Engagement

As mobile app developer Bluebridge grew from a three-person shop to a staff of three dozen, CEO Santiago Jaramillo discovered there’s more to business success than satisfied customers: employee engagement also matters. So last summer, a group of his best and brightest started brainstorming ways to improve the worker experience at Fishers, IN-based Bluebridge. They … Continue reading “App Developer Bluebridge Spins Out Emplify for Employee Engagement”

Audentes Prices $75M IPO As Gene Therapy Eyes First U.S. Approval

As the possibility of the first ever gene therapy approval in the U.S. draws closer, more gene therapy players are entering the public markets. Today, it’s San Francisco’s Audentes Therapeutics, which aims to use gene therapy to treat a group of rare diseases. Audentes sold 5 million shares at $15 apiece in its IPO last … Continue reading “Audentes Prices $75M IPO As Gene Therapy Eyes First U.S. Approval”

Merck, Amgen Invest in Akili as Therapeutic Video Game Moves Ahead

Akili Interactive Labs, the Boston startup developing mobile video games that aim to assess and treat various cognitive disorders, today picked up more cash and endorsements from big pharma backers as the worlds of software and medicine continue to merge. Akili announced it tacked on $11.9 million to its recent Series B funding round, bringing … Continue reading “Merck, Amgen Invest in Akili as Therapeutic Video Game Moves Ahead”

Synthorx Raises $10M to Expand Use of Synthetic DNA in Biologics

Synthorx, the San Diego synthetic biology startup that expanded the number of DNA base pairs with two synthetic nucleotides, said today it has raised $10 million in a Series B financing round led by RA Capital Management, the Boston life sciences hedge fund. Existing investors Avalon Ventures and Correlation Ventures joined in the round. The … Continue reading “Synthorx Raises $10M to Expand Use of Synthetic DNA in Biologics”

Oncorus Lands $57,000,000 Series A Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4f152cf1-1e2c-4b89-bab1-98e4a0cfa655 Date 7/20/2016 Company Name Oncorus Mailing Address 450 Kendall St. 4th Floor Cambridge, MA 02142 USA Company Description Oncorus, Inc. is an early-stage biotechnology company developing a next-generation immunotherapy platform of oncolytic viruses to treat several types of cancer, including highly malignant and aggressive cancers. Website http://www.oncorus.com Transaction Type Venture Equity … Continue reading “Oncorus Lands $57,000,000 Series A Financing Round”