Lee Edwards says that for a small company like Madison, WI-based Virent, which he leads as president and CEO, partnering with larger businesses can help it do more, faster. Virent, which is developing biofuels aimed at replacing crude oil, sports an impressive roster of collaborators. It includes Coca-Cola (NYSE: [[ticker:KO]]), Honda (NYSE: [[ticker:HMC]]), and Minnesota-based Cargill, … Continue reading “From Partner to Purchaser: Tesoro Buys Madison Biofuels Maker Virent”
Category: National
Dallas Software Startup Qentelli Aims to Improve Quality Assurance
Dallas—Quality assurance is usually done after something is built: At the end of the assembly line process, does the car drive? When it comes to software application development, at least, Dallas startup Qentelli wants to make that process more “agile” and bring modern methodology to testing practices. A sequential process—build the software first, then test … Continue reading “Dallas Software Startup Qentelli Aims to Improve Quality Assurance”
Celgene Plots Speedy FDA Filing for Agios Blood Cancer Drug
It typically takes about 14 years to discover a cancer drug, develop it, and get it to market. Agios Pharmaceuticals has a chance to beat that timeline. Cambridge, MA-based Agios (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AGIO]]) said in a regulatory filing this morning that its partner Celgene (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CELG]]), of Summit, NJ, expects to file for FDA approval of a … Continue reading “Celgene Plots Speedy FDA Filing for Agios Blood Cancer Drug”
With Government Backing, Moderna Joins the Zika Vaccine Chase
Moderna Therapeutics, whose unusual and still unproven drug-producing technology has attracted more than a billion dollars in funding and partnerships, is joining the scramble to produce a vaccine to protect against Zika virus infection. The virus, which has gone from a biological afterthought to a global health crisis in a few years, can cause microcephaly, … Continue reading “With Government Backing, Moderna Joins the Zika Vaccine Chase”
New Cybersecurity Alliance Continues Trend of Industry Collaboration
For the cybersecurity industry, 2016 is shaping up to be the year of alliances. There have been a series of tie-ups, as security-tech companies try to boost their businesses and amplify their products via acquisitions. IBM bought Resilient Systems, Cisco Systems snapped up CloudLock, Symantec acquired Blue Coat, and Carbon Black purchased Confer, to name … Continue reading “New Cybersecurity Alliance Continues Trend of Industry Collaboration”
IBM Returns to US Open to Show How Watson and Bluemix Play with Data
Last week, as the opening matches began at the 2016 US Open Tennis Championship in Queens, IBM put some of its innovations in data and software on display for the media. Big data being captured and processed from the tennis matches, gathered from sensors at courtside, and the library of data points from prior championships is … Continue reading “IBM Returns to US Open to Show How Watson and Bluemix Play with Data”
With New Name and $47M, Proclara Begins First Big Alzheimer’s Test
Despite a litany of high profile failures among drugs to fight Alzheimer’s disease, biotechs and pharma companies continue to pour billions of dollars into the fight. The latest firm to get a financial boost is a startup from Cambridge, MA, that until today has been known as Neurophage Pharmaceuticals. The company has raised $47 million … Continue reading “With New Name and $47M, Proclara Begins First Big Alzheimer’s Test”
Immunotherapy Clinical Tests Spur Hope, and Plenty of Headaches
Thanks to remarkable results in a small group of patients, including former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, cancer immunotherapy has spurred talk of once impossible-to-imagine cures and has gained its share, perhaps more than its share, of hype. But immunotherapy is also creating new challenges and exacerbating old ones for doctors, patients, and researchers. These new … Continue reading “Immunotherapy Clinical Tests Spur Hope, and Plenty of Headaches”
Thiel Fellow Debuts the “Real” App for Making Friends & Social Good
For millennials looking for a new way to make friends—and just friends—in a new city, the founder behind the Real app says she has created a way to remove the superficial behavior seen with other options on the market. Ocean Pleasant, a 19-year-old Thiel Fellow in New York, says her latest idea creates social connections based on shared mutual interests instead … Continue reading “Thiel Fellow Debuts the “Real” App for Making Friends & Social Good”
Arrowhead Kicks Off Phase 2 Study of AAT Drug to Treat Liver Disease
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial for its drug candidate aimed at treating rare liver diseases associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, the company said on Tuesday. AAT deficiency is a genetic disorder that involves mutation of the gene that encodes the AAT molecule. With this mutation, AAT gets trapped inside the … Continue reading “Arrowhead Kicks Off Phase 2 Study of AAT Drug to Treat Liver Disease”
Cepheid, Propelled By Seattle Chemists, Sells to Danaher for $4B
Molecular diagnostic test maker Cepheid has been acquired by Washington, DC-based Danaher (NYSE: [[ticker:DHR]]) in a deal valued at about $4 billion, the companies announced this morning. Sunnyvale, CA-based Cepheid (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CPHD]]) has been scaling up its testing service for more than a decade, now offering a variety of molecular-based diagnostic tests for maladies such … Continue reading “Cepheid, Propelled By Seattle Chemists, Sells to Danaher for $4B”
Allergan Dips Toes into Gene Therapy With $60M Retrosense Buy
The attempt to commercialize gene therapy has been a multi-decade roller coaster, but its current upswing continues. Today Allergan, a company best known for skin and eye care products, has acquired a startup developing gene therapies for a range of eye diseases. The deal is pocket change for a company that brought in over $4 … Continue reading “Allergan Dips Toes into Gene Therapy With $60M Retrosense Buy”
Overcoming the Cybersecurity Skills Gap
For several years now, the “cybersecurity skills gap” has been a top challenge for organizations. The statistics are well-vetted, and they tell a clear story: —There are many unfilled security jobs: The industry is facing 1.5 million unfilled IT security jobs globally by 2020. —The hiring problem is getting harder to figure out: Ninety-two percent of businesses say it’s … Continue reading “Overcoming the Cybersecurity Skills Gap”
Building the Next Generation of CEOs: Houston’s Fannin Names Fellows
Houston—Fannin Innovation Studio has named five new fellows as part of its program to help nurture biotech and life sciences executives. The fellows, most of whom have PhDs, have specialties in neurosciences, systems biology, economics, and cellular biology. They will work alongside the executive leadership of companies in Fannin’s portfolio. The fellows will be given … Continue reading “Building the Next Generation of CEOs: Houston’s Fannin Names Fellows”
Qualcomm and AT&T Partner to Use Wireless Network for Drone Flights
After signaling that it plans to operate drones via cellular technologies, San Diego-based Qualcomm says today it is working with AT&T to use commercial wireless networks for test flights beyond an operator’s visual line of sight. Qualcomm said in April it had received FAA authorization to operate drones in restricted airspace around its San Diego … Continue reading “Qualcomm and AT&T Partner to Use Wireless Network for Drone Flights”
Indy Startup PoliticalBank Aims to Unite Voters and Candidates Online
The founders of Indianapolis startup PoliticalBank believe they’ve found a way to make the democratic process a bit more democratic. Billing itself as the first online community of its kind to bring candidates and voters together, PoliticalBank.com is a free, nonpartisan website. It allows the roughly 810,000 Americans who run for office in a two-year … Continue reading “Indy Startup PoliticalBank Aims to Unite Voters and Candidates Online”
Stratatech, Immucor, Tech Canary, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Stay current on the latest news from Wisconsin’s innovation community, starting with these recent headlines: —Mallinckrodt finalized its acquisition of Madison-based Stratatech, which is developing cell-based human skin tissue for treating burn wounds, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. Mallinckrodt (NYSE: [[ticker:MNK]]), a drugmaker based in the U.K. whose clients include burn centers, was reportedly one of several … Continue reading “Stratatech, Immucor, Tech Canary, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Seattle Week in Review: Early End of Summer Edition
Happy Labor Day Weekend. Friday morning’s drumming rain and Bumbershoot, the arts and music festival named for a portable rain shelter, herald the end of summer. OK, not quite yet. But soon. In this edition of Xconomy Seattle’s Week in Review, we’re talking migration. The Obama Administration wants to make it easier for entrepreneurs to … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: Early End of Summer Edition”
IN Roundup: The Oscars of Invention, State’s Top Companies & More
Here’s a look at recent innovation news from around Indiana: —Purdue University researcher Vilas Pol leads a team that has been named a finalist for the 2016 R&D 100 award, which a press release described as “the Oscars of invention.” Pol, who is a chemical engineering professor, helped developed a process to convert used packing … Continue reading “IN Roundup: The Oscars of Invention, State’s Top Companies & More”
Fair Warning: Super Saver Rate is Ending Soon for Texas Disruptors!
Xconomy is bringing together a great group of leaders for a not-to-be-missed event on October 27 at TMCx in Houston. Get ready for a great day full of insightful talks with some of the top leaders across the Texas space, biotech, virtual reality, and healthcare industries. Check out our confirmed speakers—and keep an eye out … Continue reading “Fair Warning: Super Saver Rate is Ending Soon for Texas Disruptors!”
Bio Roundup: RIP Roger Tsien, Novartis CAR-T Wheel, Zika News & More
A man who helped shed light—fluorescent light—on biology died far too early, at the age of 64. Nobel Prize winner Roger Tsien, a UC San Diego chemist, passed away in Oregon this week. No cause of death has been announced. He helped turn a jellyfish protein into an invaluable lab tool that every researcher knows … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: RIP Roger Tsien, Novartis CAR-T Wheel, Zika News & More”
Cellular Dynamics Says It Will Split Into Two Business Units
Cellular Dynamics International, a Madison, WI-based manufacturer of human cells, said on Thursday that it has divided the company into two business units, one for therapeutics and the other for life science research tools. The change is effective immediately, the company said. Emile Nuwaysir, CDI’s president and chief operating officer, will head up the therapeutics … Continue reading “Cellular Dynamics Says It Will Split Into Two Business Units”
Data Centers, Tax Credits, and the Conservative Case for Cleantech
In December, officials in Michigan approved the construction of a $2 billion data center in the western part of the state that’s projected to create 1,000 jobs over the next 10 years. The company behind the facility is Las Vegas-based Switch, which builds and operates large-scale data centers. According to Switch’s website, all of the … Continue reading “Data Centers, Tax Credits, and the Conservative Case for Cleantech”
Dallas’s Health Wildcatters Welcomes New Group of Health IT Startups
Dallas—Health Wildcatters, the Dallas accelerator geared toward supporting healthcare innovations, reported its latest cohort of 10 startups. The class features startups that are developing technologies to affect mental health, improve clinical trials, and create a Priceline-type website for medical imaging centers, among other needs. The companies hail from around the United States, but several of … Continue reading “Dallas’s Health Wildcatters Welcomes New Group of Health IT Startups”
DraftKings Grabs $153M From Revolution Growth, Other Backers
Fresh off the legalization of online daily fantasy sports in New York and Massachusetts, investors have poured another $153 million into DraftKings. The massive funding round was first reported by Fortune. A DraftKings spokeswoman confirmed the investment in an e-mail to Xconomy. The investors include new backer Revolution Growth. That Washington, DC-based venture firm was co-founded … Continue reading “DraftKings Grabs $153M From Revolution Growth, Other Backers”
Texas Roundup: Rackspace, PatientIO, Circular Board, Bluegrass Vascular
Let’s get caught up with the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas, which includes two notable acquisitions in San Antonio and Austin. —San Antonio biotech Cardiovate closed a $350,000 round of convertible notes from the University of Texas Horizon Fund, Targeted Technology, and angel investors. The four-year-old company is building a medical device scaffolding that … Continue reading “Texas Roundup: Rackspace, PatientIO, Circular Board, Bluegrass Vascular”
With Scaffold for Regenerating Arteries, Cardiovate Raises $350,000
San Antonio — An early stage San Antonio startup that aims to repair or replace clogged arteries with regenerated tissue has closed a small financing round from angel investors, The University of Texas Horizon Fund, and Targeted Technology, according to its CEO. Cardiovate, founded in 2012, closed a $350,000 round of convertible notes from the … Continue reading “With Scaffold for Regenerating Arteries, Cardiovate Raises $350,000”
Sense Absorbs $14M to Monitor Appliances, Power Home Automation
The arrival of the truly smart home—with a legion of Internet-connected appliances and other devices automatically handling tasks while communicating with each other and us—is likely years away. But Mike Phillips isn’t waiting around. His startup, Sense, sees an opportunity to play a role in enabling home automation by constantly measuring the activity of any … Continue reading “Sense Absorbs $14M to Monitor Appliances, Power Home Automation”
UC San Diego Nobel Laureate Roger Tsien Dies at 64
Roger Tsien, a UC San Diego scientist who shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in chemistry for research that led to the development of fluorescent proteins used to illuminate tissue and track biological processes, has died, according to a statement from the university. Tsien died on August 24 while bike-riding in Eugene, Oregon, a UCSD Health … Continue reading “UC San Diego Nobel Laureate Roger Tsien Dies at 64”
Novartis Disbands T Cell Group But Promises To Press Ahead In CAR-T Race
Novartis has decided to dissolve its group that has been working on a cutting-edge therapy to treat cancer. In an internal email obtained by Endpoints, the head of the healthcare giant’s cell and gene therapies unit, Usman “Oz” Azam told the group that “things don’t always work out as envisioned.” Novartis spokeswoman Julie Masow confirmed … Continue reading “Novartis Disbands T Cell Group But Promises To Press Ahead In CAR-T Race”
MiSci STEMinista Project Gets a $50K Boost from Google Michigan
Google, like most other big tech companies, has struggled with a lack of diversity in its workforce. However, Google was reportedly the first industry giant to institute a diversity training program, even though the results seem to indicate that the issue lingers. According to InformationWeek, a year after the program began, the demographic makeup of … Continue reading “MiSci STEMinista Project Gets a $50K Boost from Google Michigan”
Genesys Dials Up $1.4B for Interactive Intelligence in Call Centers
Call center software provider Genesys has ambitions to help businesses of all sizes connect with consumers in multiple ways. Now, that approach is poised for a boost through a deal for Genesys to buy out competitor Interactive Intelligence for $1.4 billion. The agreement follows a month of speculation about the future of Indianapolis-based Interactive Intelligence … Continue reading “Genesys Dials Up $1.4B for Interactive Intelligence in Call Centers”
Robart Brothers Seek “Unconventional” Funds for Energy Tech Startups
Houston—In a post-Surge Ventures environment, what’s the most viable way to invest in and support the growth of local, young energy technology companies? That’s the question in front of Chris Robart, and his brother Alex, as they develop their investment firm Unconventional Capital. The brothers got their firm up and running just as Kirk Coburn, … Continue reading “Robart Brothers Seek “Unconventional” Funds for Energy Tech Startups”
Abodo Adds $4.8M to Bring Apartment-Hunting Website to More Cities
Abodo, a Madison, WI-based startup whose technology helps users find apartments and contact property managers, said on Wednesday that it had raised $4.8 million from investors. The company said it will use the equity financing to add staff and continue its national expansion. 4490 Ventures led the round. Also taking part was American Family Ventures, … Continue reading “Abodo Adds $4.8M to Bring Apartment-Hunting Website to More Cities”
Boston Tech Watch: Dell-EMC, Wayfair, Monster, GE, Harvard, & More
There was lots of Boston-area tech news during the past few days, but we’ve got it covered. Read on for details on the closing of the Dell-EMC deal, trouble for Monster’s proposed sale, a pair of big funding rounds, a GE donation to MIT, Bridj’s robotics play, and more. Acquisitions —It’s finally happening: Dell’s proposed merger with EMC … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Dell-EMC, Wayfair, Monster, GE, Harvard, & More”
Still in the Red, Apptio Eyes $75M IPO for IT Management Business
Apptio, a top IPO prospect from the Seattle tech industry, is taking the plunge. The company filed paperwork late last week to raise up to $75 million. Apptio, co-founded in 2007 by CEO Sunny Gupta and CFO Kurt Shintaffer, makes cloud-based software, sold as a subscription, to help businesses understand and plan their IT spending. … Continue reading “Still in the Red, Apptio Eyes $75M IPO for IT Management Business”
The Speak Easy Wants to Help Startups Engage with Wider Ecosystem
As startup fever continues to make inroads to Middle America, a number of entities have popped up to help nurture Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, including accelerators, angel investors, and co-working spaces. The nonprofit Speak Easy in Indianapolis has elements of all of those things, but it mostly wants to be the place where startup founders can … Continue reading “The Speak Easy Wants to Help Startups Engage with Wider Ecosystem”
Under New Owners, Petco’s Digital Strategy Emerges in Petnet Deal
Petco, the privately held pet supplies company based in San Diego, said today it led a $10 million Series A financing in Los Angeles-based Petnet, a three-year-old startup developing technology-enabled pet feeders and pet food delivery service. The new funding will enable Petnet to expand its product line and sales and marketing capabilities. An existing … Continue reading “Under New Owners, Petco’s Digital Strategy Emerges in Petnet Deal”
Path Cleared for Bluegrass Vascular’s Vein-Access Device in Europe
San Antonio — [Updated 3:04 p.m. See below.] A San Antonio medical device startup called Bluegrass Vascular Technologies has received European approval to sell its system for regaining access to obstructed veins, focusing largely on patients who receive dialysis treatment for kidney failure. The company announced today that European regulators have given the company the go-ahead, … Continue reading “Path Cleared for Bluegrass Vascular’s Vein-Access Device in Europe”
Station Houston Hires Ex-Thiel Executive, Marks Growth Milestones
Houston—Like the startups it was founded to help, Station Houston has hit a few milestones that executives say point to the growth of the technology startup hub. For one, Station has brought on Jessica Whitman Hart, a former executive at PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel’s investment firm Thiel Capital, as a keystone to formally hire and … Continue reading “Station Houston Hires Ex-Thiel Executive, Marks Growth Milestones”
Four Ways to Stay Safe While Using Public Wi-Fi
No matter how hard we try to unplug on vacation, most of us simply don’t—or can’t—disconnect. The availability of free Wi-Fi is sometimes too hard to resist. While we’re in a carefree state of mind, it’s especially easy to bend the rules. Even when using Wi-Fi at a familiar business, you could be putting your … Continue reading “Four Ways to Stay Safe While Using Public Wi-Fi”
Rigel Touts Late-Stage Data for Platelet Drug
Back in 2013, Rigel Pharmaceuticals, having seen a few drugs fail in clinical trials, decided to go after less common health problems rather than the major diseases, including asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, it had before. There’s still more to be done before that decision pays off with Rigel’s first approved drug, but the South San … Continue reading “Rigel Touts Late-Stage Data for Platelet Drug”
More Options: LogRhythm Rakes In $50M to Boost Cybersecurity Tech
LogRhythm, a Boulder, CO-based cybersecurity firm, wrapped up a $50 million round of financing Tuesday, Aug. 30, inching the tech company closer to a highly anticipated IPO. The latest round brings the company’s total fundraising figure to about $120 million, according to Matt Winter, vice president of corporate and business development at LogRhythm. “I think this … Continue reading “More Options: LogRhythm Rakes In $50M to Boost Cybersecurity Tech”
Todd Hylton Adds Neural Tech Expertise to UCSD Robotics Institute
UC San Diego has named Todd Hylton, a veteran tech industry manager and expert in neural-based processing technology, as executive director of its new Contextual Robotics Institute. Hylton was previously the executive vice president of strategy and research at Brain Corp., a Qualcomm-backed startup founded in 2009 to develop computer systems and software based on … Continue reading “Todd Hylton Adds Neural Tech Expertise to UCSD Robotics Institute”
With Cash From Generac & Others, Tank Utility Makes Fuel Tanks Smart
Over the past few years, a significant number of the meter devices that measure electricity, water, and natural gas usage have been connected to the Internet. Now, fuel tanks are getting smart, too. Tank Utility is one of the companies that makes devices that remotely monitor the fuel level in propane and heating oil tanks, … Continue reading “With Cash From Generac & Others, Tank Utility Makes Fuel Tanks Smart”
Athenahealth Finds Patient-Facing Mobile App in Buyout of Patient IO
Austin—Athenahealth is buying an Austin, TX, software company with a service that aims to help healthcare providers encourage patients to follow a healthcare plan they might receive after a visit to a doctor or hospital. Watertown, MA-based Athenahealth (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ATHN]]) is paying an undisclosed amount for Filament Labs, a three-year-old startup that does business as … Continue reading “Athenahealth Finds Patient-Facing Mobile App in Buyout of Patient IO”
Angie’s List Looks to Grow Home Services Marketplace in New Tech Era
When Angie’s List got its start 21 years ago, it was anything but a tech company. Back then the consumer ratings service was exactly what its name implied: a hard-copy list of home contractors who were recommended by their customers. It didn’t even have a website until 1999, and the first iteration was nothing more … Continue reading “Angie’s List Looks to Grow Home Services Marketplace in New Tech Era”
Leap Therapeutics Seeks Public Markets With Macrocure Merger
Leap Therapeutics, a biotech with a couple of early stage monoclonal antibodies targeting cancer, is merging with an Israeli company trading on the Nasdaq in hopes of being able to take Leap shares to the public market. Cambridge, MA-based Leap will combine with Israel-based Macrocure (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MCUR]]) in a deal known as a reverse merger—a … Continue reading “Leap Therapeutics Seeks Public Markets With Macrocure Merger”
ThinkZone Games Takes Top Prize in White House Edtech App Challenge
With a boost from the White House, a local developer is creating a game app that may help students flesh out their career choices. Last Wednesday, First Lady Michelle Obama announced ThinkZone Games, based in New York, won the grand prize in the Reach Higher Career App Challenge run by the White House and the U.S. … Continue reading “ThinkZone Games Takes Top Prize in White House Edtech App Challenge”
Synthetic Genomics Creates Host Organism Optimized for Bio Industry
Scientists from Synthetic Genomics, the San Diego-based industrial biotech, have re-engineered a fast-growing microorganism found in salt marsh mud to maximize its production of proteins and to optimize other common bio-based processes. The enhanced version of Vibrio natriegens, a marine bacterium of a type known as Gram-negative, could potentially replace Escherichia coli as the workhorse … Continue reading “Synthetic Genomics Creates Host Organism Optimized for Bio Industry”