Category: National

Xconomy IMPACT Highlights Innovation That Matters: The Photos

Last week’s Xconomy IMPACT event at the Museum of Science in Boston tackled a big theme—“innovation that matters”—but our speakers did not disappoint. The program explored a broad mix of ambitious ideas and advanced technologies—brain-computer interfaces, self-driving cars, collaborative robots, interactive entertainment, and much more. Speakers also offered solutions to some of the most pressing … Continue reading “Xconomy IMPACT Highlights Innovation That Matters: The Photos”

AkitaBox, PrecisionHawk to Bring Drones to Building Management

AkitaBox, a developer of software allowing users to access and edit documents containing data on buildings and the machines inside of them, announced a collaboration Monday that could enable the startup’s customers to inspect building exteriors by flying unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones. Madison, WI-based AkitaBox says it has partnered with Raleigh, NC-based PrecisionHawk, which … Continue reading “AkitaBox, PrecisionHawk to Bring Drones to Building Management”

What’s Hot in Cancer Immunotherapy 2017: The Photos

Xconomy’s cancer immunotherapy event on June 14th in Seattle brought a packed house to The Pelton Auditorium on the campus of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Attendees heard top executives, physicians, researchers, investors and entrepreneurs discuss the different types of immunotherapy in development, their successes, and the challenges in each part of the field. … Continue reading “What’s Hot in Cancer Immunotherapy 2017: The Photos”

Genentech’s Hemophilia Drug Slashes Bleeding Rates, Early Data Show

While a host of companies are racing to treat hemophilia with cutting-edge gene therapies, others are working on nearer-term improvements to more conventional approaches, with billion-dollar franchises at stake. Genentech hopes to enter the hemophilia fray and announced Monday that its experimental drug emicizumab reduced bleeding by 87 percent, according to preliminary Phase 3 data. … Continue reading “Genentech’s Hemophilia Drug Slashes Bleeding Rates, Early Data Show”

Texas Roundup: Acessa Health, CareSet, TeVido, Larry Lawson, TAMU

Here’s what’s making news across the cities in Xconomy Texas. —Acessa Health in Austin announced the company has completed a $30 million Series A financing and acquired a non-invasive treatment for uterine fibroids from a California medical device company. Acessa says the new capital comes from institutional venture investment firms and will be used for … Continue reading “Texas Roundup: Acessa Health, CareSet, TeVido, Larry Lawson, TAMU”

Programs Seek to Connect Women to Startup Funding, STEM Careers

It’s been an especially good month to be a female entrepreneur in Southeast Michigan. Over the past four weeks, a new STEM initiative was announced; young women pursuing tech careers were awarded scholarships to help propel them toward a diploma; and tomorrow, a conference designed to encourage women-led startups with a social mission is being … Continue reading “Programs Seek to Connect Women to Startup Funding, STEM Careers”

Boston Is Arguably the Heart of Biotech. But Who Makes It So? Have Your Say.

By the end of this year, for the first time, patients with certain deadly types of blood cancer might have a new option, CAR-T cell therapy, to prolong their life. Immunotherapy could further entrench itself as a mainstay of cancer treatment. Newer drugmaking methods—RNA interference and gene therapy—could get their first ever FDA reviews. Multiple … Continue reading “Boston Is Arguably the Heart of Biotech. But Who Makes It So? Have Your Say.”

GE, IBM Race to Deliver on A.I. Hype in Healthcare

This story is part of an ongoing series on A.I. in healthcare. A companion piece today looks at the question of when A.I. might replace doctors. Artificial intelligence has a long road ahead to reach the front lines of healthcare—but it’s coming. Big companies and startup investors are pouring billions of dollars into A.I. technologies for … Continue reading “GE, IBM Race to Deliver on A.I. Hype in Healthcare”

When Will A.I. Replace Doctors?

This story is part of an ongoing series on A.I. in healthcare. A companion piece today looks at advances from GE, IBM, and other competitors. Even as big companies race to build up their artificial intelligence capabilities, the prospect of using A.I. technologies in healthcare raises more questions than answers. Want more AI, machine learning, and drug … Continue reading “When Will A.I. Replace Doctors?”

SparkCognition Boosts Series B to $32.5M, And Other Texas Fundings

Austin—[Updated 6/26/17, 9:55 a.m. See below.] SparkCognition, a company that uses machine learning software to monitor clients’ infrastructure and technology for malfunctions and other problems, has boosted its Series B round of funding to $32.5 million. The round was led by Verizon Ventures, the venture capital arm of telecom company Verizon. The company had previously … Continue reading “SparkCognition Boosts Series B to $32.5M, And Other Texas Fundings”

Initiative to Boost SoCal’s Startup Scene Teams With GV Founder

A Silicon Valley entrepreneur has set out to boost the startup ecosystem in San Diego and the rest of Southern California—and he already has scored a coup by partnering with Bill Maris, the founder and former CEO of Google Ventures, now known as GV. Steve Poizner, who sold two of his startups to Qualcomm (NASDAQ: … Continue reading “Initiative to Boost SoCal’s Startup Scene Teams With GV Founder”

ARI, Hyperloop, SmartUQ, GrocerKey, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist

Catch up on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —ARI Network Services (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARIS]]), a Milwaukee-based company that develops e-commerce software for equipment manufacturers and other customers, was acquired for about $140 million by True Wind Capital, a San Francisco-based private equity firm. Prior to the deal, shares in ARI Network Services … Continue reading “ARI, Hyperloop, SmartUQ, GrocerKey, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”

Seattle Week in Review: Disneyland, the Appiest Place on Earth

Xconomy Seattle was in Disneyland most of this week, where the operative question, voiced by one of the thousands of other kindred spirits hiking through the hot, crowded streets of Adventureland Thursday afternoon was, “What are all these people waiting for?” More on that below—including a gripe about the princess industrial complex. But first a … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: Disneyland, the Appiest Place on Earth”

Portola Pharmaceuticals’ Drug to Prevent Blood Clots Wins FDA Nod

[Updated, 6/23/17, 6:23 pm, see below.] A Portola Pharmaceuticals drug developed to prevent risky and potentially fatal blood clots in patients who are hospitalized for an extended period of time received FDA approval on Friday. The FDA approved the Portola (NASDAQ: [[ticker:PTLA]]) drug betrixaban (Bevyxxa) for patients hospitalized for conditions such as heart failure, stroke, … Continue reading “Portola Pharmaceuticals’ Drug to Prevent Blood Clots Wins FDA Nod”

Chinese Pharma Licenses Two Drugs from UT Schools For $4.5M Upfront

San Antonio—A Chinese pharmaceutical company is licensing two experimental drugs from two University of Texas research institutions for an initial $4.5 million upfront payment. The Texas institutions could receive more money if the drugs meet clinical and regulatory goals. UT Health San Antonio and UT Health Houston announced today they are selling the global license for … Continue reading “Chinese Pharma Licenses Two Drugs from UT Schools For $4.5M Upfront”

Five Questions For … Houston Medical Device Investor Larry Lawson

Houston—Houston entrepreneur Larry Lawson started out his professional life immersed in the groovy melodies of the mid- to late 1960s. Lawson was part of an East Texas “sunshine pop” band that relocated to Houston as the Clique. One of the band’s bigger hits, 1969’s “Superman,” reached a new generation in the mid-1980s when R.E.M. recorded its … Continue reading “Five Questions For … Houston Medical Device Investor Larry Lawson”

Fuzic Closes on $3.5 Million Seed Round, Plans to Expand Reach

Fuzic, the Indianapolis-based marketing tech startup, announced this week that it has closed on a $3 million seed funding round, bringing the total amount of money raised since inception to $3.5 million. Fuzic’s backers include High Alpha, Allos Ventures, and Hyde Park Venture Partners, as well as local angel investors. “We are very impressed with … Continue reading “Fuzic Closes on $3.5 Million Seed Round, Plans to Expand Reach”

Startup Founder’s Quest for Cure Leads to Genomics Hackathon at Google

This story is part of a series on A.I. in healthcare. Onno Faber was a member of Silicon Valley’s happy breed of tech startup founders when he was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that can come with dire health damage, but few treatments. Faber responded with entrepreneurial zeal, exploring whether Silicon Valley’s mastery of algorithms … Continue reading “Startup Founder’s Quest for Cure Leads to Genomics Hackathon at Google”

Bio Roundup: Senate Trumpcare, FDA On Cancer, Alzheimer Review & More

All eyes are on the nation’s capital this week, where the Senate released its version of the American Health Care Act (now called the Better Care Reconciliation Act) and the White House worked on an executive order to address drug prices. No one knows how to pay for high-priced medicines that could bring long-term relief … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Senate Trumpcare, FDA On Cancer, Alzheimer Review & More”

Bluebird Reports Early Results From Upgraded Gene Therapy

One of the year’s most closely watched clinical studies could lead to a landmark approval of a gene therapy and throw wide open the debate over how to pay for expensive drugs. The first drips of data have emerged. Bluebird Bio (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BLUE]]) says the first three patients—of 15 total expected—have had good results from … Continue reading “Bluebird Reports Early Results From Upgraded Gene Therapy”

Shares in EnSync Plunge After Company Announces Stock Offering

EnSync Energy Systems, a manufacturer of renewable energy storage and power control products based in the Milwaukee area, saw its stock price fall more than 37 percent on Thursday after the company announced a public stock offering. Shares in EnSync (NYSE: [[ticker:ESNC]]) ended the trading day at just under 32 cents apiece, down more than … Continue reading “Shares in EnSync Plunge After Company Announces Stock Offering”

Lilly Adds Chemistry Capabilities in San Diego Lab Expansion

Eli Lilly (NYSE: [[ticker:LLY]]) has completed a $90 million expansion of its biotechnology R&D center in San Diego, added new automated synthesis equipment, and plans to build out its next-generation chemistry capabilities here over the next two years. The new facility adds 180,000 square feet of space to Lilly’s laboratory in La Jolla—a 145 percent … Continue reading “Lilly Adds Chemistry Capabilities in San Diego Lab Expansion”

Foxconn Founder Gives Details on Plan to Build Display Plant in U.S.

The founder and chairman of Foxconn, a Taiwanese multinational known as a key supplier for Apple (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AAPL]]) and other digital device makers, said Thursday that Foxconn plans to invest more than $10 billion in an electronics display-making plant in the U.S., according to a Reuters report. Terry Gou, who has led Foxconn since founding … Continue reading “Foxconn Founder Gives Details on Plan to Build Display Plant in U.S.”

Energy Software Firm EnerNOC Inks $300M Sale to Enel Group

EnerNOC, a 16-year-old energy management software company, has agreed to be acquired by Enel Group, a global power utility company, in an all-cash deal valued at over $300 million. Enel Group, through its subsidiary Enel Green Power North America, plans to purchase Boston-based EnerNOC (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ENOC]]) for $7.67 per share, a 42 percent premium to … Continue reading “Energy Software Firm EnerNOC Inks $300M Sale to Enel Group”

RealCo Accelerator Startup Dauber Gets $1.1M for Trucking Tech

San Antonio—[Updated 6/23/17, 10:34 a.m. See Below.] Dauber, a trucking-focused app maker that’s working with the San Antonio-based RealCo startup program, has raised $1.1 million in seed funding from RealCo, angel investors, and people in the trucking industry. Dauber makes apps that lets construction trucking companies track shipments, track and analyze data such as load information, and … Continue reading “RealCo Accelerator Startup Dauber Gets $1.1M for Trucking Tech”

Mary Lou Jepsen: The Full Xconomy Voices Interview

For the inaugural episode of our new podcast, Xconomy Voices, we chose to speak with Bay Area entrepreneur and executive Mary Lou Jepsen. She leads a startup called Openwater, which is developing a new kind of wearable imaging device that might one day enable communication by thoughts alone. Of course, there are nearer-term goals as … Continue reading “Mary Lou Jepsen: The Full Xconomy Voices Interview”

Introducing Xconomy Voices (Podcast), Episode 1: Mary Lou Jepsen

It’s always been Xconomy’s mission to reach audiences—both here on our website, and at our many live events around the country—with deep insights into the innovation process, divined from experts embedded in the world’s most important hubs of high-tech entrepreneurship. And now we’re doing that in one more medium: podcasting. I’m thrilled to be collaborating … Continue reading “Introducing Xconomy Voices (Podcast), Episode 1: Mary Lou Jepsen”

Cloudbeds Raises $9M to Expand its Technology, Brand Awareness

Cloudbeds, a cloud-based provider of hospitality management software, said today it has raised slightly more than $9 million in Series B financing to expand its software-as-a-service platform and broaden awareness of its brand. The San Diego company describes the financing as its first institutional round, and said it brings total funding for the five-year-old startup … Continue reading “Cloudbeds Raises $9M to Expand its Technology, Brand Awareness”

Repare Nabs $68M To Find Synthetic Lethal Cancer Targets Beyond PARP

The concept of synthetic lethality has been around for decades, but only recently has it been exploited for cancer therapy. The idea is to hit cancer cells in at least two places at once; the trick is to find the right combination of genetic mutations that make the cells vulnerable. The newest company aiming to … Continue reading “Repare Nabs $68M To Find Synthetic Lethal Cancer Targets Beyond PARP”

Madonna to Jeff Bezos: Invest Some of Your Billions in Detroit

You may have noticed that for the past couple of years, the Motor City has been busy mounting a comeback. Plenty of people are rooting for Detroit to get its groove back, including, it turns out, Madonna. Madonna is a native of metro Detroit, but her affection for the city has not been a lifelong phenomenon. … Continue reading “Madonna to Jeff Bezos: Invest Some of Your Billions in Detroit”

From Startup Week San Diego: The World According to Jason Calacanis

Silicon Valley angel investor Jason Calacanis has some advice for the millennial generation: Get your name on a cap table. In a keynote talk Tuesday night that was a headliner event for Startup Week San Diego, Calacanis observed that it doesn’t feel like the millennial generation is doing as well financially as their parents’ generation. … Continue reading “From Startup Week San Diego: The World According to Jason Calacanis”

Coinigy Adds Users, As Digital Currency Values Soar

Matt Cohler, a general partner with the Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm Benchmark, in 2014 described to Vanity Fair his view of the smartphone as a “remote control for real life.” Cohler’s analogy captures a key feature of so many digital innovations, from the earliest remote controls to today’s smartphones: being able to take lots … Continue reading “Coinigy Adds Users, As Digital Currency Values Soar”

Syntimmune Snares $50M to Test Autoimmune Drug in Two Rare Diseases

Although antibodies play a key role in neutralizing invading bacteria and viruses, sometimes these protective proteins can turn against the body’s own tissues, sparking an autoimmune disorder. Syntimmune’s leaders believe their company has found a way to block the immune system’s attack on the body. And now the biotech has $50 million to advance its … Continue reading “Syntimmune Snares $50M to Test Autoimmune Drug in Two Rare Diseases”

With $20M from Scale, Textio Envisions ‘Augmented Writing’ Everywhere

In a prime example of the promise of artificial intelligence to improve human capabilities, rather than just replace them, Textio is bringing its “augmented writing” technology to e-mails, sales and marketing communications, and other forms of business writing, and just raised $20 million to do it. The Seattle startup, which until now focused on improving … Continue reading “With $20M from Scale, Textio Envisions ‘Augmented Writing’ Everywhere”

With $23M, Flagship-Backed Sigilon Protects Protein-Producing Cells

Companies have been trying for years, if not decades, to find a way to encapsulate cells for therapeutic use in a way that protects them from the body’s reactions. Sigilon Therapeutics, a Cambridge, MA-based biotech, announced today it has raised $23.5 million from Flagship Pioneering to take its technology to clinical trials. The company has … Continue reading “With $23M, Flagship-Backed Sigilon Protects Protein-Producing Cells”

Accel, GV-backed Sense Raises $10M To Keep “Gig Workers” On Board

The new tech economy, as well as a longstanding trend toward outsourcing, has boosted the number of “gig workers” who rely on temporary assignments to earn a living. With a lack of income security and sometimes without benefits, these workers may run low on job satisfaction and loyalty to their employers. The founders of San … Continue reading “Accel, GV-backed Sense Raises $10M To Keep “Gig Workers” On Board”

Alzheimer’s Drug Pipeline Analysis: Have We Hit Peak Amyloid?

A 2014 report provided a stark frame of reference for the challenge of fighting Alzheimer’s disease, showing that 99.6 percent of all drugs in the field had failed in one way or another. Led by Jeffrey Cummings, director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, the same authors recently published a new … Continue reading “Alzheimer’s Drug Pipeline Analysis: Have We Hit Peak Amyloid?”

Last Chance to Grab Your Ticket for Xconomy IMPACT

Tomorrow, join Xconomy at the Museum of Science for a unique multidisciplinary event—IMPACT: Innovation That Matters. There are a lot of topics we’ll cover, but the main focus will be on how innovative technologies and the people behind them can make a real difference in our society. The afternoon will be comprised of keynote speeches, … Continue reading “Last Chance to Grab Your Ticket for Xconomy IMPACT”

Mighty AI Opens Detroit Office to Pursue Auto Industry Customers

Mighty AI, a Seattle-based startup offering “training data as a service” for artificial intelligence applications, has opened a new office in Detroit. According to founder and CEO Matt Bencke, the company chose the location inside the Techstars Mobility headquarters to explore autonomous vehicle development prospects in Southeast Michigan. “We’ve been getting more automotive customers, and … Continue reading “Mighty AI Opens Detroit Office to Pursue Auto Industry Customers”

Cybereason Gets $100M to Fend Off Cyber Attacks—and Competitors

Lior Div just raised a $100 million funding round for his security-tech company, Cybereason. A daunting task, to be sure. “It’s very hard to raise money,” says Div, the company’s CEO and co-founder. “I see it all the time with colleagues of mine, founders. But if you really have a good, unique solution that’s proven, … Continue reading “Cybereason Gets $100M to Fend Off Cyber Attacks—and Competitors”

Rubius Adds $120M to Ready Tests of Red Blood Cells as Drug Carriers

[Updated 6/21/17, 4:05 pm. See below.] The main role of red blood cells is to carry life-sustaining oxygen throughout the body. Rubius Therapeutics believes these cells can carry something more: therapeutic payloads delivered directly to the organs and tissues of patients with severe diseases. Less than two years after launch, Cambridge, MA-based Rubius has reeled … Continue reading “Rubius Adds $120M to Ready Tests of Red Blood Cells as Drug Carriers”

Swallow Solutions Gulps Down $700K to Develop Thickened Beverages

Swallow Solutions, a Madison, WI-based startup that develops therapeutic devices and other products for people with swallowing disorders, has raised more than $726,000 in new equity financing. Seventeen investors participated in the funding round, according to an SEC filing. The company has raised nearly $4.9 million since launching in 2009, says Eric Horler, president and … Continue reading “Swallow Solutions Gulps Down $700K to Develop Thickened Beverages”

Localytics Replaces Founding CEO After Becoming Cash-Flow Positive

Localytics, one of Boston’s prominent mobile analytics and marketing software companies, has replaced its founding CEO Raj Aggarwal with Jude McColgan, a veteran mobile software executive. Aggarwal (pictured at right) will remain involved with the company, but his exact role is unclear. A spokeswoman says Aggarwal’s new role will be full-time and he will remain … Continue reading “Localytics Replaces Founding CEO After Becoming Cash-Flow Positive”

Neos Therapeutics’ Controlled-Release ADHD Drug Get FDA Approval

Dallas—The FDA late Monday approved Neos Therapeutics’ controlled-release version of an old ADHD therapy, methylphenidate. Neos (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NEOS]]) says its formulation of methylphenidate (Cotempla XR-ODT) is the first methylphenidate tablet designed to deliver the medication in a gradual manner over time—instead of all at once—and is able to orally disintegrate on the tongue to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity … Continue reading “Neos Therapeutics’ Controlled-Release ADHD Drug Get FDA Approval”

Economic Study Ranks San Diego Near Top in Genomics Innovation

An economic impact study of San Diego’s emerging genomics industry counted 115 genomics-related companies operating in the region that directly employ over 10,000 people, and drive about $5.6 billion worth of annual economic benefits throughout the area. “San Diego is really end-to-end in genomics, from start to finish,” said Kirby Brady, who oversaw the study … Continue reading “Economic Study Ranks San Diego Near Top in Genomics Innovation”

Expanding Teladoc Adds Network, Tech With $440M Best Doctors Deal

Dallas—In Teladoc’s acquisition of Boston-based Best Doctors—a $440 million cash-and-stock deal that the companies announced Monday—Teladoc (NYSE: [[ticker:TDOC]]) is gaining a business that lets it offer more specialization in its telemedicine services. Best Doctors connects individuals who have tough decisions to make about treatments—or who want a second opinion about a diagnosis—with top-rated doctors worldwide. … Continue reading “Expanding Teladoc Adds Network, Tech With $440M Best Doctors Deal”

Insurance Against Cyber Attacks Gains Steam Alongside Rising Risk

San Antonio—The news spotlight has shifted away from cybersecurity concerns in the weeks since the outbreak of the WannaCry cyber-hack. But Bill Kelly, senior vice president for underwriting at insurer Argo Pro in San Antonio, says the threat of cyber attacks is ever present. “There’s many you don’t hear about because companies don’t want to … Continue reading “Insurance Against Cyber Attacks Gains Steam Alongside Rising Risk”

FTC Challenges DraftKings-FanDuel Merger Over Monopoly Concerns

[Updated 6/20/17, 10:20 pm. See below.] The Federal Trade Commission is attempting to block the proposed merger of DraftKings and FanDuel over concerns that it would create a near-monopoly in the U.S. market for paid daily fantasy sports contests. The FTC, along with the offices of the attorneys general in California and Washington, DC, said … Continue reading “FTC Challenges DraftKings-FanDuel Merger Over Monopoly Concerns”