Thanks to our generous sponsors, Xconomy is able to provide complimentary tickets to a number of startups for Xconomy Intersect: Innovating Where Disciplines Collide, coming up this Thursday afternoon at 415 Westlake, in the heart of Seattle’s South Lake Union innovation neighborhood. To reserve your complimentary ticket, simply e-mail [email protected] with the following information: —Your … Continue reading “Startups: Get Free Tickets to Xconomy Intersect on Thursday”
Category: National
TX Roundup: Blue Star Accelerator, Industrial Tech at SXSW, UT’s Foundry
Let’s catch up on the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —The Big Cities Health Coalition released its “Big Cities Health Inventory Data Platform” this week, which allows users to use databases to compare the healthy of 28 large urban cities across the country. The effort, funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and … Continue reading “TX Roundup: Blue Star Accelerator, Industrial Tech at SXSW, UT’s Foundry”
At Late-Night ASH Talk, Juno Execs Look Beyond Stalled “Rocket” Trial
[Corrected 3/1/17 to update trial data] Juno Therapeutics is still mulling next steps for its lead product, an experimental cancer immunotherapy now stuck in limbo. Five of 38 adult leukemia patients taking the product in a clinical trial called “Rocket” have died from severe brain swelling caused by the treatment. In an after-dinner review at … Continue reading “At Late-Night ASH Talk, Juno Execs Look Beyond Stalled “Rocket” Trial”
ASH Roundup: CAR-T Shuffle, Hemophilia Updates, Checkpoint Progress & More
Two years ago at the American Society of Hematology conference, excitement, not blood, was running in the streets of San Francisco. The cancer immunotherapy known as CAR-T was the star of the show, thanks to dazzling early data that showed more patients than not saw their leukemias and lymphomas knocked into remission by the living, … Continue reading “ASH Roundup: CAR-T Shuffle, Hemophilia Updates, Checkpoint Progress & More”
Retrace, a Xinova Spinout, Provides Data to Improve E-Waste Recycling
For all of its noble goals, the business of recycling old electronics and mobile phones is fraught with challenges and not very profitable. Retrace, a Seattle startup that spun out of Xinova earlier this fall, believes providing better data to recyclers and other players in the global market for used mobile phones will help. “It’s … Continue reading “Retrace, a Xinova Spinout, Provides Data to Improve E-Waste Recycling”
Germany’s Software AG Adds Analytic Tools with Zementis Buyout
Software AG, a German software giant with 4,300 employees, has acquired San Diego-based Zementis, a specialist in machine learning and data science. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, according to a statement Friday, after the acquisition closed last week. Zementis CEO Michael Zeller co-founded the company in 2004 to help customers glean new insights from … Continue reading “Germany’s Software AG Adds Analytic Tools with Zementis Buyout”
Rainbow Broadband Leads Charge to Bring Fixed Wireless to Brooklyn
Microwaves belong in kitchens, right? Not according to Russ Hamm, president and founder of New York-based Rainbow Broadband. Since 2004, Hamm and his firm have been installing microwave antennas on rooftops across Manhattan capable of providing fixed wireless Internet service to hundreds of clients in a roughly two-mile radius. The devices are capable of wirelessly providing … Continue reading “Rainbow Broadband Leads Charge to Bring Fixed Wireless to Brooklyn”
With Nod To Biden, Senate To Say Yes To “Cures” Spending, Reform Bill
The U.S. Senate cleared the way for the 21st Century Cures Act, an omnibus healthcare spending and reform bill, by voting 85-13 to end debate this evening. It passed the House with 392 votes last week. After a final Senate vote as early as tomorrow, it will head to President Obama’s desk. The president used … Continue reading “With Nod To Biden, Senate To Say Yes To “Cures” Spending, Reform Bill”
Here’s Why You Should Attend Xconomy Intersect on Thursday
Xconomy Intersect is just three days away and if you haven’t checked out the fantastic lineup of speakers gathering in South Lake Union Thursday, now’s the time. We’re going to cover a lot of ground in this concise, afternoon program in the heart of South Lake Union. We’ll begin with a dive in to the … Continue reading “Here’s Why You Should Attend Xconomy Intersect on Thursday”
Uber Buys New York’s Geometric Intelligence to Power New A.I. Lab
Uber is ratcheting up its efforts to advance artificial intelligence technologies as it pushes down the road toward self-driving vehicles. The ride-hailing app company has launched Uber AI Labs, a new division based in San Francisco focused on A.I. and machine learning research. The initial core team is made up of the 15 employees of … Continue reading “Uber Buys New York’s Geometric Intelligence to Power New A.I. Lab”
With Cowboys’ Backing, Blue Star Set to Boost Sports Startups
Dallas—Partners with a deep well of subject matter expertise and capital are on the top of any entrepreneur’s wish list. Now an accelerator tailored to sports technology startups might be giving those founders a connection to the ultimate in sports and marketing royalty: the Dallas Cowboys. The new Blue Star Accelerator, aimed at nurturing young … Continue reading “With Cowboys’ Backing, Blue Star Set to Boost Sports Startups”
Fresh Off ASH Data, Spark Teams With Selecta to Boost Gene Therapies
As a group of experimental gene therapies—potentially long-lasting, if not permanent treatments—for the blood disease hemophilia continue to creep through clinical testing, a few things have become clear. They’re helping patients produce meaningful amounts of the blood-clotting proteins they lack for increasingly long periods of time. But they also may not work for everybody. Spark … Continue reading “Fresh Off ASH Data, Spark Teams With Selecta to Boost Gene Therapies”
Procrastinator’s Special Ends Today for State of the Biotech Union
We’re only one day away from State of the Biotech Union, Xconomy’s annual Bay Area life sciences forum, which will take place tomorrow afternoon (December 6) at the Amgen Campus in South San Francisco. For you late decision-makers, you’re almost out of time to save on this unique event. Our Procrastinator’s Special rate ends today … Continue reading “Procrastinator’s Special Ends Today for State of the Biotech Union”
How Secure Are You? Find Out at The State of Cybersecurity Thursday
Are your security measures good enough? We’re not talking about the locks on your house. We’re talking about the security of your sensitive personal data—health records, bank account passwords, and more—and the cyber defenses protecting businesses’ computer systems, data, files, intellectual property, and other digital assets. It’s a crucial question that seemingly grows more urgent … Continue reading “How Secure Are You? Find Out at The State of Cybersecurity Thursday”
The Xconomy Immuno-Oncology Resource: A Mid-ASH T Cell Update
[Updated, 12/5/16, 4 p.m. See below.] If you’re following cancer immunotherapy, you might feel a bit swamped by this week’s wave of clinical data from experimental programs that turn living T cells into revved-up cancer fighters. We’re updating our ongoing cancer immunotherapy trial resource with American Society of Hematology results, plus a few others we’ve … Continue reading “The Xconomy Immuno-Oncology Resource: A Mid-ASH T Cell Update”
Global Innovation Exchange Plans Menu of IP Options for Students
The Global Innovation Exchange, a joint effort of the University of Washington and China’s Tsinghua University, is establishing some new models for intellectual property as it begins training what backers hope will be a new generation of innovation leaders. Graduate students in the program who invent a technology or launch a startup company will have … Continue reading “Global Innovation Exchange Plans Menu of IP Options for Students”
Zika, Sector67, Video Games, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
Keep up with the latest news from Wisconsin’s innovation community, starting with these recent headlines: —Takeda, a pharmaceutical company based in Japan, is developing a vaccine for Zika virus at the laboratory it operates in Madison, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. The company is reportedly working on tests that would tell researchers whether the vaccine, … Continue reading “Zika, Sector67, Video Games, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
Eli Lilly Diabetes Drug Gets FDA OK for Reducing Heart Health Risks
A diabetes drug jointly marketed by Eli Lilly (NYSE: [[ticker:LLY]]) and German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim has won FDA approval expanding its use to include reducing the risk of cardiovascular death in diabetes patients. The FDA initially approved empagliflozin (Jardiance) in 2014 as a way to improve blood sugar control, in addition to diet and … Continue reading “Eli Lilly Diabetes Drug Gets FDA OK for Reducing Heart Health Risks”
Acetylon Crafts New Buyout Deal With Celgene, Spins Out Startup Regenacy
[Updated, 12/5/16, see below] Earlier this year, Celgene passed on an exclusive option to buy Acetylon Pharmaceuticals. But surprisingly, the two companies have come up with a new deal instead. Celgene agreed Friday to acquire just a portion of the assets of the Boston company, which will spin the rest of its assets into a … Continue reading “Acetylon Crafts New Buyout Deal With Celgene, Spins Out Startup Regenacy”
Citing Quality Concerns, Glowforge Again Delays Laser Cutter Shipment
Earlier this week, my daughter, 4-and-a-half, looked up at the cardboard and tissue-paper butterfly we made from a kit some time ago and told me she wanted to do another one. I smiled. Christmas is coming, so I hinted to her—vaguely—about a cool new tool that would let us make all kinds of neat projects … Continue reading “Citing Quality Concerns, Glowforge Again Delays Laser Cutter Shipment”
With MIR Deal, Propeller Health Helps Patients Track Lung Function
Propeller Health’s respiratory disease management platform—which combines sensor-equipped inhalers with software applications and analytics—will now also be able to pull in measurements of patients’ lung function, thanks to a partnership with Italy-based Medical International Research (MIR) announced on Thursday. MIR has for years manufactured spirometers, which measure the volume of air someone breathes in and … Continue reading “With MIR Deal, Propeller Health Helps Patients Track Lung Function”
Katie Vale, Digital Learning and Tech Leader From Boston, Dies at 51
Xconomy is sad to report that Katie Vale, a mainstay of the New England education and technology community, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Nov. 27. She was 51. Vale was a close friend of the Xconomy family and participated in many Boston-area education and tech efforts and mentoring programs, among other things. Most recently, she … Continue reading “Katie Vale, Digital Learning and Tech Leader From Boston, Dies at 51”
Boston Scientific to Buy Neovasc Heart Valve Assets in $75M Deal
With sales of its minimally invasive heart valve growing in Europe and an expected launch of the product coming in the United States, Boston Scientific is now shoring up the resources behind its Lotus Valve System with a deal to acquire a piece of a key supplier that makes parts for the device. Marlborough, MA-based … Continue reading “Boston Scientific to Buy Neovasc Heart Valve Assets in $75M Deal”
This Week in Drug Pricing and Post-Election Healthcare Policy News
Healthcare news has been coming fast and furious in the fallout of the election, particularly this week. Read on below for the latest on the 21st Century Cures Act, the Trump Administration’s latest nominees, and a biopharma CEO’s warning to his peers on drug pricing. IN WASHINGTON… —The House of Representatives passed a sweeping healthcare … Continue reading “This Week in Drug Pricing and Post-Election Healthcare Policy News”
Bio Roundup: CAR-T Ups & Downs, Lilly’s Failure, Myeloma & More
We’ve packed some extra stuffing into the roundup this week to account for some burnt turkey delivered by biopharma in the few days before Thanksgiving—starting with Eli Lilly’s failed gamble in Alzheimer’s disease. Lilly wasn’t alone, however. Several companies, among them Juno Therapeutics, Arrowhead Pharmaceutials, and Nivalis Therapeutics, have had some bad news for investors … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: CAR-T Ups & Downs, Lilly’s Failure, Myeloma & More”
Boston Holiday Tech Watch: GiveHope, LovePop, Samsung, IBM & More
‘Tis the holiday season, and in this week’s roundup of Boston-area tech news, we’re covering funding for a pop-up greeting card startup and an initiative that encourages people to, instead of giving gifts, donate to nonprofits that support causes considered at risk after Donald Trump’s election. Meanwhile, in non-holiday-themed news, we’ve got a local nanotech … Continue reading “Boston Holiday Tech Watch: GiveHope, LovePop, Samsung, IBM & More”
UT’s Foundry Highlights Tech’s Role in Arts and Entertainment Programs
Austin—At the University of Texas at Austin’s new Foundry, the art of science and the science of art are fused through technology. The Foundry, which opened at the start of this school year, is based in UT’s College of Fine Arts, a seemingly atypical home for 3-D printers, a Roland 3-D mill machine, and a … Continue reading “UT’s Foundry Highlights Tech’s Role in Arts and Entertainment Programs”
Connect Hands Out 10 Most Innovative New Product Awards
[Corrected 12/5/16, 9:35 am. Awards were made in 10 categories.] Connect, the San Diego nonprofit supporting local innovation and entrepreneurship, handed out its Most Innovative New Product Awards at a dinner last night in La Jolla—recognizing innovations that range from an inflatable satellite antenna to a mobile app for art museums. Volunteer entrepreneurs, investors, and … Continue reading “Connect Hands Out 10 Most Innovative New Product Awards”
An Innovation Snapshot of Medellin, Colombia
As we fly over Cuba en route from Fort Lauderdale to Medellin, I am already imbibing the upcoming culture change from the happy chaos at the departure gate in Florida. The plane is surprisingly not full and my fellow passengers, primarily Hispanics, are in a sleepy good mood. We will be arriving at 1am and … Continue reading “An Innovation Snapshot of Medellin, Colombia”
Arrowhead Chief Scientific Officer David Lewis Among 34 Laid Off
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals has terminated the employment of chief scientific officer David Lewis, effective later this month, the company said in a regulatory filing that was made public on Thursday. Vincent Anzalone, a vice president at Arrowhead (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARWR]]), confirmed Lewis’ imminent departure in a phone interview. Anzalone said that Lewis was terminated as part of … Continue reading “Arrowhead Chief Scientific Officer David Lewis Among 34 Laid Off”
San Antonio Cybersecurity Firm With Federal Government Ties Gets $3M
San Antonio—A cybersecurity firm in San Antonio called Delta Risk, which has owners and board members who once held high-ranking federal government posts, has raised $3 million only a few months after acquiring a Philadelphia-based competitor, according to a regulatory filing. Delta Risk hasn’t responded to a request for comment on how they plan to … Continue reading “San Antonio Cybersecurity Firm With Federal Government Ties Gets $3M”
Save $100 Today on Registration for The State of Cybersecurity
The State of Cybersecurity, Xconomy’s first-ever dedicated conference on cybersecurity, is just one week away! It all takes place in WGBH’s auditorium in Boston at 1:30pm on Thursday, Dec. 8. Now’s your chance to save a little extra cash during the holiday season—we have a special running until midnight that will save you $100 on … Continue reading “Save $100 Today on Registration for The State of Cybersecurity”
Harvard Spinout Qstream Grabs $15M for App to Coach Sales Reps
The methods of honing the skills of sales people are getting more sophisticated, as companies turn to mobile technologies, data analytics, and even neuroscience to coax the best performance possible from their sales teams. Investors see promise here: Qstream announced today it closed a $15 million Series B funding round led by Polaris Partners. Qstream’s … Continue reading “Harvard Spinout Qstream Grabs $15M for App to Coach Sales Reps”
AttackIQ, Which Makes Tools to Assess Cybersecurity, Raises $8.8M
San Diego-based AttackIQ, a cybersecurity startup providing a Web-based platform for assessing network defenses, has finally closed its Series A round of founding, after raising a total of $8.8 million over the past three years, according to co-founder and CEO Stephan Chenette. Institutional investors included San Francisco-based Index Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures, and Telstra Ventures. In … Continue reading “AttackIQ, Which Makes Tools to Assess Cybersecurity, Raises $8.8M”
Arrowhead’s Future Could Now Ride on Progress of Amgen Partnership
After canceling three liver drug programs and slashing its staff, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals has nothing left in clinical trials. But a separate partnership with another biotech company, Amgen, could signal where Arrowhead goes next. The strategy shift became necessary after Arrowhead (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARWR]]) said Tuesday that it would halt work on its troubled liver drugs, which … Continue reading “Arrowhead’s Future Could Now Ride on Progress of Amgen Partnership”
Brushing Aside Critics, House Votes in Landslide for Cures Act
By a 392 to 26 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the omnibus healthcare legislation called the 21st Century Cures Act, bringing new funding for top Obama administration health priorities a big step closer to the outgoing president’s signature. While critics of the bill questioned whether that funding would actually materialize in coming … Continue reading “Brushing Aside Critics, House Votes in Landslide for Cures Act”
Techstars Teams with Amazon for Alexa Startup Accelerator in Seattle
Alexa, what’s the epicenter of innovation in speech as the new user interface? A good case can be made for Seattle, following an announcement today from Techstars and Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]). Techstars, a top-tier startup accelerator with locations around the world and a major presence in Seattle since 2010, will begin a second program here … Continue reading “Techstars Teams with Amazon for Alexa Startup Accelerator in Seattle”
In Year of CAR-T Trouble, Can Bluebird, Penn Make Headway in Myeloma?
Several drugs have been approved to treat multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow, in recent years. But it remains a nasty, persistent disease. Most everyone relapses. Two rival groups, Bluebird Bio and researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, are presenting data in coming days to make a case that a cutting-edge therapy known … Continue reading “In Year of CAR-T Trouble, Can Bluebird, Penn Make Headway in Myeloma?”
Founder Collective Closes Third Fund: $75M to Back Early-Stage Startups
Founder Collective has reloaded its stock of dry powder to fuel young startups. The venture firm today announced it has raised $75 million for its third fund, roughly the same aggregate size as its second. The firm was founded by a group of entrepreneurs in 2009, and launched with a $40 million seed-stage fund. Founder … Continue reading “Founder Collective Closes Third Fund: $75M to Back Early-Stage Startups”
Coming in 2017: The Union, Downtown Indy’s Massive New Tech Space
John Hurley, CEO of SmartFile and a partner in The Union, is very clear about what his newly announced downtown venture is not: a co-working space. Instead, he envisions The Union to be a hub of offices located in the 122,000-square-foot Brougher Building created to appeal to tech startups on the brink of serious growth. … Continue reading “Coming in 2017: The Union, Downtown Indy’s Massive New Tech Space”
RAM shift phase 2
[Editor’s note: Seattle-based sci-fi author Greg Bear has contemplated a day when intelligent machines, which are already assisting or replacing humans in manufacturing and transportation, could do his job, too. Indeed, a World Economic Forum study (PDF) predicts that technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics will replace some 5 million jobs by 2020, while … Continue reading “RAM shift phase 2”
Texas Roundup: UH Food Tech, Orb Health, NASA, CPRIT Grants, & More
Let’s catch up with the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —Orb Health, a startup alum of the Health Wildcatters accelerator in Dallas, announced it has raised $3.2 million in Series A funding from Mt. Vernon Investments in Dallas, along with Green Park & Golf and other seed investors. Phoenix-based Orb plans to use the … Continue reading “Texas Roundup: UH Food Tech, Orb Health, NASA, CPRIT Grants, & More”
Textio’s Data Sharing Points to Machine Learning Business Model
In the cutthroat game of recruiting, companies are constantly eyeing the competition. Textio, a Seattle startup using machine learning to help improve the performance and reduce the bias of job listings, is taking the lid off a massive data trove it has amassed over the last two years to help its customers see how they … Continue reading “Textio’s Data Sharing Points to Machine Learning Business Model”
Goldman Funnels $51M Into Cloud Tech Company That Fights Fake Drugs
An increased incidence of counterfeit drugs around the world has people worried about the health problems they can cause, among other issues. That’s sparked a wave of interest in companies that are creating technologies to potentially sniff out counterfeit drugs. Now, a Massachusetts business that tracks and documents the authenticity of pharmaceutical drugs globally has … Continue reading “Goldman Funnels $51M Into Cloud Tech Company That Fights Fake Drugs”
With $19M, Axial Becomes Latest Startup to Target Gut-Brain Connection
We’re still a long way from understanding how the trillions of bacteria that live in and on our bodies, known collectively as the human microbiome, affect our health and well-being. Despite those unknowns, a steady drip of companies have launched in recent years to explore those links and make drugs for a range of diseases. … Continue reading “With $19M, Axial Becomes Latest Startup to Target Gut-Brain Connection”
Tetra Discovery Raises $10M Series A, Advances Alzheimer’s Drug
Alzheimer’s drug research has been a fraught area of medicine lately. With last week’s failure of Eli Lilly’s high-profile Phase 3 study of solanezumab, an experimental Alzheimer’s drug, arguably the most promising treatment in development for the memory loss disease is no longer headed to market. The trial’s failure also “puts a dent” in the … Continue reading “Tetra Discovery Raises $10M Series A, Advances Alzheimer’s Drug”
Arrowhead Shares Plunge Amid Layoffs, Canceled Liver Drug Programs
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals said on Tuesday that it has canceled the development of three experimental drug candidates for liver diseases and plans to lay off part of its workforce, sending the company’s stock down nearly 60 percent in after-hours trading. Arrowhead’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARWR]]) stock price was $1.77 a share as of 7:39 p.m. in New York, down from … Continue reading “Arrowhead Shares Plunge Amid Layoffs, Canceled Liver Drug Programs”
Trump Tabs Fiscal, Social Conservatives To Run U.S. Health Agencies
Two big pieces of the Trump healthcare puzzle have fallen into place. The President-elect’s transition team has nominated Georgia Republican congressman Tom Price to be Health and Human Services secretary. It has also tabbed Indiana health consultant Seema Verma to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In a statement, Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), … Continue reading “Trump Tabs Fiscal, Social Conservatives To Run U.S. Health Agencies”
The Tough Questions You Must Discuss Before You Take the Money
If all goes well, the day will come when just one small thing will stand between you and funding for your startup: your signature on a term sheet. Most founders quickly sign on the line and get back to the business of growing their business. Smart ones set aside the paperwork, grab their business partners, … Continue reading “The Tough Questions You Must Discuss Before You Take the Money”
When Innovation Is Not Enough: How GreatCall Has Grown Its Market
In the 10 years since David Inns joined San Diego-based GreatCall as CEO, he has seen a proliferation of innovative healthtech startups that are targeting baby boomers who are in or nearing retirement. A lot of these digital health companies are trying to connect with senior living communities, typically at events like the annual Aging … Continue reading “When Innovation Is Not Enough: How GreatCall Has Grown Its Market”