Will this week be remembered as the moment the Earth’s changing climate went irretrievably over the edge—if it hasn’t done so already—or will it be a catalytic moment that accelerates action in spite of the U.S. president’s rejection of the global accord to address climate change? We explore that question with a couple of veteran … Continue reading “Week in Review: States, Corporations Look to Save World from Trump”
Category: National
Stem Cell Software Firm Cellara Eyes Mid-June for Commercial Launch
[Updated 6/9/17 12:39 p.m. See below.] A 2015 study in the journal PLOS Biology estimated that $28 billion is spent annually in the U.S. on preclinical research that is not reproducible. One reason for what some researchers have called a “crisis” in reproducibility is that in certain types of laboratories, some scientists still track their day-to-day … Continue reading “Stem Cell Software Firm Cellara Eyes Mid-June for Commercial Launch”
Ghostruck Fined by Washington Regulator for Operating Without Permit
[Updated 6/3/17, 9:27 a.m. PT. See below.] Ghostruck, a Seattle startup connecting movers with customers, was fined $75,500 by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) for “operating as a residential moving company without the required permit,” the commission announced Thursday. More than two-thirds of that penalty was suspended for two years, provided that the company … Continue reading “Ghostruck Fined by Washington Regulator for Operating Without Permit”
Mersana Plans IPO to Finance Clinical Trials for Breast Cancer Drug
Mersana Therapeutics has filed for an initial public stock offering that would help fund clinical trials for the company’s experimental treatment for breast cancer. The paperwork filed with securities regulators lists a $75 million stock offering, but that figure will likely change as Cambridge, MA-based Mersana determines how many shares it will offer and at … Continue reading “Mersana Plans IPO to Finance Clinical Trials for Breast Cancer Drug”
Winnebago Seed Fund, Part of Badger Fund of Funds, Raises $11M
A Wisconsin venture capital fund created under a state-supported program has raised $11 million. The Winnebago Seed Fund said the size of the funding round could top out at $12 million, according to a document filed with federal securities regulators. Thirty-one investors participated in the round, according to the filing. The fund is based in … Continue reading “Winnebago Seed Fund, Part of Badger Fund of Funds, Raises $11M”
SIGINT Wins Midway: Milestones of Innovation 13
In these days of internet disruptions of complex systems like medical care and even elections, our obsession with data security is swelling. We’re all too aware of how signals from myriad sources can help us construct patterns of human behavior and make plans to take advantage of that behavior. Although it may be no comfort … Continue reading “SIGINT Wins Midway: Milestones of Innovation 13”
Bio Roundup: ASCO Combo Frenzy, Maine’s Free DNA Tests, Sema4 & More
Over the next four days, the Second City will be the center of the biomedical world. The American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago brings together thousands of researchers from across the globe to discuss the latest progress in the war against cancer. On tap this year: the crush of immunotherapy drug combinations, … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: ASCO Combo Frenzy, Maine’s Free DNA Tests, Sema4 & More”
Uber’s Week: Another Two Top Departures, But 1Q Loss Trimmed
It was a short work week due to the Monday holiday, but news about the ride-hailing behemoth Uber kept up its heavy pace as the company announced another two high-profile departures and revealed some financial results for the first quarter. The San Francisco-based unicorn, whose value is pegged at about $70 billion, said it had … Continue reading “Uber’s Week: Another Two Top Departures, But 1Q Loss Trimmed”
Boston Tech Watch: Zerto, Flywire, eClinicalWorks, CustomMade & More
Here are some of the latest headlines from the Boston-area tech community, including the acquisition of brain rehab app Constant Therapy, the makeover of online crafts marketplace CustomMade, and the expansion of data-recovery firm Zerto. Read on for details. —Boston University spinout Constant Therapy was acquired by San Diego-based Digital Health Corp for an undisclosed … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Zerto, Flywire, eClinicalWorks, CustomMade & More”
Array Lands $31M in Licensing Deal with Japan’s Ono Pharma
Array BioPharma has agreed to license some rights to two of its clinical-stage cancer drugs to Ono Pharmaceutical, a deal that pays the Boulder, CO, biotech $31.6 million now and potentially more if those drugs hit key milestones. Ono, based in Osaka, Japan, gains development and commercialization rights in Japan and South Korea for binimetinib, … Continue reading “Array Lands $31M in Licensing Deal with Japan’s Ono Pharma”
Energy Leaders React to Trump’s Withdrawal From Paris Climate Accord
[Updated 6/2/17, 10:10 pm ET. See below.] President Donald Trump today announced the United States would withdraw from complying with what’s known as the Paris climate accord, a landmark international agreement to combat climate change. In December 2015, nearly all the countries in the world—195 of them—agreed to the pact, which aims to reduce emissions of … Continue reading “Energy Leaders React to Trump’s Withdrawal From Paris Climate Accord”
Austin Startup Everfest Raises $3.6M From Live Nation, ATX Seed
Austin—Everfest, a festival-focused startup based in Austin, TX, has raised a $3.6 million Series A round of funding from Live Nation Entertainment and ATX Seed Ventures. The company says it plans to use some of the money for product development, marketing, and new hires. Founded in 2014 by former uShip executives Paul Cross and Jay … Continue reading “Austin Startup Everfest Raises $3.6M From Live Nation, ATX Seed”
Sema4, Eric Schadt’s Genomics Startup, Spins Out of Sinai to Raise Cash
[Updated, 9:30 p.m. ET, see below] Eric Schadt has been incubating a genomic data project within the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai for more than five years. Today, the product of that work, a 300-plus employee startup called Sema4, has formally left the nest. Sema4 today spun out of Mount Sinai as a … Continue reading “Sema4, Eric Schadt’s Genomics Startup, Spins Out of Sinai to Raise Cash”
Internet-Connected Jewelry Maker WiseWear Joins XPRIZE Competition
San Antonio—WiseWear, a San Antonio tech company that makes an Internet-connected jewelry line, is one of 38 groups in the U.S. competing during the next year for a women’s safety-focused XPRIZE worth $1 million. WiseWear is seeking to design a system that costs less than $40 and can help women respond to potential threats. The … Continue reading “Internet-Connected Jewelry Maker WiseWear Joins XPRIZE Competition”
Dell Leads $12M Investment in Security Assessments Firm RiskRecon
It’s hard enough for businesses and organizations to secure their own networks against cyber attackers. But with the rise of cloud computing and increased outsourcing of business operations to third parties, companies must also worry about the cyber defenses of vendors and partners who have access to their sensitive data and other digital assets. Just … Continue reading “Dell Leads $12M Investment in Security Assessments Firm RiskRecon”
Seattle Startup WiBotic Readies Wireless Recharge System for Drones
For drones and other autonomous vehicles to carry out lengthy, meaningful assignments such as ongoing aerial surveillance or a day of delivering packages, they will need a reliable way to recharge their batteries with little or no human intervention. Seattle-based startup WiBotic, a spinout from the University of Washington, is developing a suite of wireless … Continue reading “Seattle Startup WiBotic Readies Wireless Recharge System for Drones”
Bicycle Therapeutics Maps Course to Clinic Backed by $52M Investment
One of the problems with cancer drugs is their broad effect: Besides killing cancer cells, they also harm healthy tissue. Bicycle Therapeutics is developing a new class of drugs that it says can offer a more targeted approach, and it has raised $52 million to support plans to bring its lead drug into clinical trials. … Continue reading “Bicycle Therapeutics Maps Course to Clinic Backed by $52M Investment”
Countering Cybersecurity Turnover: 57 Companies That Do It Best
What does it take to keep highly skilled cybersecurity employees? Salary and benefits are table-stakes. Challenging work, ongoing training, an opportunity to advance without having to become a manager, and a talented peer group all help companies recruit and retain these sought-after “ninjas”—the individuals who can do what artificial intelligence security tools can’t. Research from … Continue reading “Countering Cybersecurity Turnover: 57 Companies That Do It Best”
Gig Economy Growing in Wisconsin, Despite Early Pushback
Independent contractors, temporary employees, and other so-called “contingent” workers make up a growing share of the American workforce. According to a 2015 report from the Government Accountability Office, contingent workers accounted for 40.4 percent of employed workers in 2010, up from 35.3 percent in 2006. In Wisconsin—and elsewhere—companies that make up the “sharing” or “gig” economy … Continue reading “Gig Economy Growing in Wisconsin, Despite Early Pushback”
Bolt Goes Bigger, Raises $80M for Third Early-Stage Hardware Fund
Bolt just raised over $80 million for its third venture fund, its largest to date. But the hardware investor and manufacturing consultant says it remains committed to backing early-stage startups that sometimes struggle to secure capital and other support. Bolt announced the new fund Wednesday in a blog post. An SEC filing indicates the firm … Continue reading “Bolt Goes Bigger, Raises $80M for Third Early-Stage Hardware Fund”
Teva Seeks to Keep Pace in Migraine Drug Race With Trial Results
An experimental Teva Pharmaceutical migraine drug has met the main goals of a late-stage clinical trial, keeping the drugmaker in the race to bring to the market a product that prevents migraine headaches instead of treating them after they start. Teva (NYSE: [[ticker:TEVA]]) reported Wednesday that its drug fremanezumab reduced the number of days during … Continue reading “Teva Seeks to Keep Pace in Migraine Drug Race With Trial Results”
Texas Cancer Agency Poised to Receive Two-Year Extension
Austin—The future of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) waits for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature. Texas lawmakers have passed legislation to expand the life of the agency, also known as CPRIT, which was created through a referendum a decade ago to issue $3 billion in bonds to fund cancer research and treatment … Continue reading “Texas Cancer Agency Poised to Receive Two-Year Extension”
With Gene Therapy for Diabetes, San Antonio Researcher Eyes Funding
San Antonio — Most diabetes treatments work by giving the body the insulin it needs to break down sugar. But that approach deals with the symptoms of diabetes. In recent years, scientists and companies have taken aim at the root cause of the condition by attempting to stimulate or replace the cells in the pancreas responsible … Continue reading “With Gene Therapy for Diabetes, San Antonio Researcher Eyes Funding”
Appthority Finds Mobile Apps’ Data Caches Exposed on Servers
[Corrected 6/7/17, 5:30 pm ET. See below.] While other cybersecurity companies were tracking the WannaCry ransomware that invaded victims’ computers in recent months, researchers at San Francisco-based Appthority were finding holes in major data storage sites where mobile apps and their business clients send their information for safekeeping. Appthority found that many mobile app developers—though … Continue reading “Appthority Finds Mobile Apps’ Data Caches Exposed on Servers”
As Big Cancer Trials Ramp Up, Grail Goes Global, Merges With Cirina
Grail, the Illumina (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ILMN]]) spinout aiming to develop a blood test that can detect cancer at its earliest stages, has gone global. The Menlo Park, CA, startup, is merging with China’s Cirina, a privately held company co-founded by a pioneer in the field of blood-based diagnostics, Dennis Lo. Grail, which recently raised a record … Continue reading “As Big Cancer Trials Ramp Up, Grail Goes Global, Merges With Cirina”
128 Technology Takes In $21.5M to “Transform People’s Networks”
Don’t look now, but 128 Technology is looking to go big. The Burlington, MA-based startup says today it has raised $21.5 million in Series C funding. The company, led by veterans of Acme Packet (now part of Oracle), is on a quest to reinvent routing technologies for the Internet and other networks. The new money … Continue reading “128 Technology Takes In $21.5M to “Transform People’s Networks””
In Maine, Making Cancer DNA Tests Free—And Asking Tough Questions
Has the era of genetic oncology arrived? Last week, the biomedical world took a notable step in that direction when the FDA said Merck’s drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda), already one of the world’s most successful cancer immunotherapies, could now treat any tumor with a particular genetic fingerprint. It was the first time a drug has been … Continue reading “In Maine, Making Cancer DNA Tests Free—And Asking Tough Questions”
Happy Trails, Ken: Nisbet Retires from Running U-M Tech Transfer
Tuesday marked the last day on the job for Detroit/Ann Arbor Xconomist Ken Nisbet, the University of Michigan’s longtime director of technology transfer—but don’t expect to see him enjoying post-career leisure activities anytime soon. “I’m not going to go fishing five days a week or anything,” Nisbet says with a laugh. “I’m staying in Ann … Continue reading “Happy Trails, Ken: Nisbet Retires from Running U-M Tech Transfer”
Shares in Exact Sciences Rise on UnitedHealthcare Coverage Decision
Exact Sciences saw its stock price rise late Tuesday on news that the health insurer UnitedHealthcare will cover Cologuard, Exact’s stool-based DNA test for colorectal cancer, starting July 1. Shares in Madison, WI-based Exact (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) were trading at $35.30 apiece as of 7:47 p.m. in New York, up more than 8.1 percent from Tuesday’s … Continue reading “Shares in Exact Sciences Rise on UnitedHealthcare Coverage Decision”
RNA Specialist Arcturus Therapeutics Gets $3M R&D Grant for CF Drug
San Diego-based Arcturus Therapeutics said today Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics has agreed to provide $3 million to fund research and development of a new messenger RNA drug that could be broadly used to treat cystic fibrosis patients. The four-year-old startup has previously raised $37 million in research grants and other “non-dilutive” funding, and another $13 … Continue reading “RNA Specialist Arcturus Therapeutics Gets $3M R&D Grant for CF Drug”
Water Startups, Hyde, Lucigen, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Just in time for the unofficial start of summer, we’re looking at news on startups in Wisconsin developing new water technologies, as well as one that has created a product for water sports enthusiasts. Plus, an award for growth in exports, an upcoming pitch event, commercial licensing agreements, and more happenings in the state’s innovation community. … Continue reading “Water Startups, Hyde, Lucigen, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Woodcock: New Approvals Show FDA Is Adapting to Precision Medicine
The randomized controlled trial has long been held up as the gold standard for testing new drugs. But the nation’s top drug evaluator, Janet Woodcock, believes they aren’t necessary for all new experimental treatments. Randomized trials are long, expensive to run, and ultimately produce limited answers, she said at a medical conference last week. The … Continue reading “Woodcock: New Approvals Show FDA Is Adapting to Precision Medicine”
Protagonist, Janssen Ink Development Deal for Crohn’s Disease Drug
Protagonist Therapeutics’ work developing an inflammatory bowel disease drug that can be taken as a pill, rather than injected, now has fresh cash and the backing of a large pharmaceutical partner. Newark, CA-based Protagonist (NASDAQ: [[ticker:PTGX]]) has entered a partnership with Janssen Biotech to develop and commercialize its drug, PTG-200. Janssen is paying Protagonist $50 … Continue reading “Protagonist, Janssen Ink Development Deal for Crohn’s Disease Drug”
With Governor’s Approval, Teladoc Expands Texas Telehealth Services
Dallas—Texas, a large healthcare market and the home state of Teladoc (NYSE: [[ticker:TDOC]]), has been a relatively small market for the telemedicine firm. But now with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature on a new law that makes operating in the state easier, Teladoc is poised to expand its business here. Lewisville, TX-based Teladoc had been … Continue reading “With Governor’s Approval, Teladoc Expands Texas Telehealth Services”
CounterTack Nabs $20M, Predicts More Demand After Trump Cyber Order
[Updated 5/30/17, 9:39 am. See below.] Cybersecurity firm CounterTack announced today it has expanded its coffers with a new $20 million funding round from investors. It could be good timing for the Waltham, MA-based company. The recent WannaCry ransomware cyber attack and President Donald Trump’s executive order laying out federal cybersecurity priorities could spell new … Continue reading “CounterTack Nabs $20M, Predicts More Demand After Trump Cyber Order”
At the Alexandria Center Tomorrow: Can NY Biotech Seize the Moment?
A few weeks ago at the annual NewYorkBio conference, Xconomy asked a variety of folks about the state of New York biotechnology in 2017: is the momentum that has been gathering in life sciences in New York still building, or has it stalled? Their answers were mixed. Some expressed frustration with some of the same … Continue reading “At the Alexandria Center Tomorrow: Can NY Biotech Seize the Moment?”
On ASCO’s Eve, Experts Fret Over Backlash to Cancer Combo Frenzy
When thousands of cancer researchers from around the world gather in Chicago this weekend for the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting, drugs that fight tumors by boosting a patient’s immune system will take center stage, as they have in previous years. But the stage is more crowded, as researchers have begun in earnest … Continue reading “On ASCO’s Eve, Experts Fret Over Backlash to Cancer Combo Frenzy”
After Years of Growth, myCOI Plans Expansion That Could Add 185 Jobs
On Wednesday, Indianapolis startup myCOI announced it will invest nearly $1 million to more than double its footprint, creating up to 185 jobs by 2021. To help sweeten the deal, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation will grant myCOI up to $1.75 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $42,500 in workforce training grants. In … Continue reading “After Years of Growth, myCOI Plans Expansion That Could Add 185 Jobs”
Week in Review: Seattle Tech Boom From Amazon to Zestimate
With the Memorial Day Weekend weather forecast as nice as it has ever been or will ever be again, it’s time to grab some lab-grown “meat” and fire up the grill. First, let’s recap some of the headlines from booming Seattle’s tech industry this week, including our nation-leading population growth; several large venture capital investments … Continue reading “Week in Review: Seattle Tech Boom From Amazon to Zestimate”
Five Questions For … Houston Angel Network Chief Juliana Garaizar
Houston—Juliana Garaizar, managing director of the Houston Angel Network, is used to dealing with big egos and strong personalities in both the investing and tech worlds. “If it’s up to me, I try to work as little as possible with them and be very careful with them,” she says. “If it’s not up to me, … Continue reading “Five Questions For … Houston Angel Network Chief Juliana Garaizar”
Bio Roundup: Skinny Cuts, Genomic Approvals, Unfrozen FDA & More
Team Trump unveiled its 2018 federal spending proposal—the so-called “skinny budget”—with health and science in the crosshairs. The NIH is looking at a 22 percent cut and the FDA 31 percent, although the administration wants to backfill the FDA loss with a huge boost in user fees, which drug and device companies pay to have … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Skinny Cuts, Genomic Approvals, Unfrozen FDA & More”
Boston Tech Watch: Acquia, ShoeBuy, Lola, MassChallenge & More
We’ve got lots of Boston-area tech news to catch up on this week. Here are some of the latest developments: New funds —Scansorial has raised $2.2 million from investors, according to an SEC filing. The Lexington, MA-based company makes Root, a robot intended to help teach software coding in an interactive way. The startup’s technology … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Acquia, ShoeBuy, Lola, MassChallenge & More”
Uber, Lyft Return to Austin With Tech Edge, But Upstarts Grew Roots
Austin—[Updated 5/25/17, 4:42 p.m. See below.] A year after Uber and Lyft had a bad breakup with Austin, the software companies are returning to town Monday. That’s thanks to Texas state law makers who last week approved legislation that wiped out the city-imposed restrictions that caused Uber and Lyft to leave in the first place. … Continue reading “Uber, Lyft Return to Austin With Tech Edge, But Upstarts Grew Roots”
Rackspace Buys Boston Area’s TriCore in Largest-Ever Acquisition
San Antonio—Rackspace has acquired a Norwell, MA-based company called TriCore Solutions that the cloud computing giant says is its largest acquisition ever, both financially and by the number of employees. The news comes less than a year after Rackspace itself was bought for $4.3 billion by Apollo Global Management, a New York-based private equity firm that … Continue reading “Rackspace Buys Boston Area’s TriCore in Largest-Ever Acquisition”
DataRobot Buys Nutonian in Union of Accomplice-Backed A.I. Startups
[Updated 5/25/17, 2:30 pm. See below.] Here is some noteworthy consolidation in the Boston data science and artificial intelligence sectors: DataRobot has snapped up Nutonian for an undisclosed price, in a deal involving two young companies. The deal shows that five-year-old DataRobot is getting more aggressive in its efforts to become a leader in some … Continue reading “DataRobot Buys Nutonian in Union of Accomplice-Backed A.I. Startups”
Constellation Reboots With Eye On Immuno-Oncology, Hires New CEO
[Updated 5/25/17, 12:44 p.m. See below.] Constellation Pharmaceuticals, a Cambridge, MA-based biotech that up until 2015 had a sprawling alliance with Genentech, has made sweeping changes this morning. The firm has replaced its president and CEO, will transition its chief scientific officer out of his position in July, and is now embarking on a new … Continue reading “Constellation Reboots With Eye On Immuno-Oncology, Hires New CEO”
Amid Budget Concerns, NIH Preps Beta Test for Precision Medicine Plan
An ambitious plan to recruit 1 million U.S. volunteers and amass a treasure trove of their health information will start next week with a “beta test” that health officials hope to eventually expand nationwide. National Institutes of Health director Francis Collins said Wednesday that the Precision Medicine Initiative will begin in Pittsburgh, where the agency … Continue reading “Amid Budget Concerns, NIH Preps Beta Test for Precision Medicine Plan”
Last Chance to Save on “New York Biotech Seizes the Momentum”
Join Xconomy next Wednesday, May 31, at “New York Biotech Seizes the Momentum” for an afternoon of unique, candid, and interactive chats to discuss the steps being taken by a variety of key figures to change the state’s biotech identity. Don’t wait to register—our Procrastinator’s Special ends next week and it’s your last chance to … Continue reading “Last Chance to Save on “New York Biotech Seizes the Momentum””
Loan Provider BankMyBiz Aims to Continue Growth Through Partnerships
[Updated 5/25/17 4:47 p.m. See below.] People who have spent years working in a particular industry before deciding to hang out their own shingle need a few things to succeed: a business plan, plenty of gumption, and enough money to get a new venture off the ground. That last piece—the startup capital—can be hard to … Continue reading “Loan Provider BankMyBiz Aims to Continue Growth Through Partnerships”
Smartsheet, Outreach, Echodyne, Bulletproof, and Discuss.io Raise VC
Seattle-area tech companies announced a spate of eight-figure investment rounds this week. Here’s a rundown of who’s raising and who’s investing: —Smartsheet. The Bellevue, WA-based maker of online project management and collaboration tools announced a $52.1 million Series F funding round Wednesday. Insight Ventures Partners, an existing backer, took the lead on the funding—Smartsheet’s first … Continue reading “Smartsheet, Outreach, Echodyne, Bulletproof, and Discuss.io Raise VC”