Category: New York

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

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

Gaining an Edge: Understanding Cyber Risk Appetite

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

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

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

Matific Receives $45,000,000 Series B Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f74fa42c-d31b-40f5-961d-7b8a6c28ff1d Date 7/29/2016 Company Name Matific Mailing Address 37 E 28th Street New York, NY 10016 USA Company Description Matific was founded 2012 by recognized leaders in the fields of technology and mathematics who hold various prestigious professorships and directorships. Our founders share a desire to ensure children from grades K to … Continue reading “Matific Receives $45,000,000 Series B Financing Round”

Vena Solutions Secures $30,000,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=337166c1-e3cd-466c-bc36-ab96df280686 Date 7/29/2016 Company Name Vena Solutions Mailing Address 1971 Western Avenue Albany, NY 12203 USA Company Description Organizations of every size rely heavily on spreadsheets to drive business processes. People love their flexibility, easy to use modeling capabilities, raw analytic power and many options for enhancing reports with charts and graphs. … Continue reading “Vena Solutions Secures $30,000,000 New Financing Round”

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

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

Astro Receives $1,100,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=45f7347d-b475-4131-a26a-8b68f8c1295b Date 7/28/2016 Company Name Astro Mailing Address 175 Varick Street New York, NY 10014 USA Company Description We have just launched our first product, Twist, the first LED light bulb with an AirPlay speaker built in. No hubs, no wires, no installation. Now you can put beautiful lighting and seamless audio … Continue reading “Astro Receives $1,100,000 New Funding Round”

Powerlinx Lands $7,000,000 Series A Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e9718f97-1c09-47fb-9658-c4c02d184e1c Date 7/28/2016 Company Name Powerlinx Mailing Address 350 5th Ave. New York, NY 10118 USA Company Description Called the eHarmony for business by VentureBeat, Powerlinx is building a better way to develop business-to-business partnerships. Website http://www.powerlinx.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $7,000,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes The successful … Continue reading “Powerlinx Lands $7,000,000 Series A Round”

Phosphorus Receives $10,000,000 Series A Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ec678d36-661c-441c-a459-ea8e81078a46 Date 7/28/2016 Company Name Phosphorus Mailing Address 1140 Broadway New York, NY 10001 USA Company Description Phosphorus is building a genomic data network that will help providers, researchers and patients around the world better understand and harness the power of the human genome. Website http://www.phosphorus.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Phosphorus Receives $10,000,000 Series A Funding Round”

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

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

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

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

Nomad Health Receives $4,000,000 Series A Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3bc1ad20-be1a-4add-aed8-b9cc1b735ddc Date 7/27/2016 Company Name Nomad Health Mailing Address Undisclosed New York, NY 10001 USA Company Description Nomad eliminates the chaotic and inelegant healthcare staffing system of yesterday and replaces it with a simple, modern platform that just works. Website http://www.nomadhealth.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $4,000,000 Transaction Round Series A … Continue reading “Nomad Health Receives $4,000,000 Series A Financing Round”

Kadmon Raises $75M In IPO Despite Friendly Terms For Its Lenders

Kadmon Holdings tempered its expectations and managed to go public late Wednesday, despite its founders’ criminal history and a heavy debt load. New York-based Kadmon raised $75 million by selling 6.25 million shares at $12 each. But to get there, it had to sell more shares at a lower price. It had initially aimed for … Continue reading “Kadmon Raises $75M In IPO Despite Friendly Terms For Its Lenders”

Clinton Versus Trump: Who’s Stronger on Innovation?

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

Transfix Receives $22,000,000 Series B Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b03e5a26-50e0-4b02-abc6-1b592812e43f Date 7/26/2016 Company Name Transfix Mailing Address 675 Avenue of the Americas 3rd Floor New York, NY 10010 USA Company Description Transfix provides free, industry-leading technologies and ethical brokerage services to independent over-the-road truck drivers and small carriers. Website http://www.transfix.io Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $22,000,000 Transaction Round Series B … Continue reading “Transfix Receives $22,000,000 Series B Funding Round”

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

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

Verizon Gobbles Up Yahoo, Will Group It With AOL—But What About Tumblr?

A huge question has finally been answered about Yahoo’s future. Verizon sealed a deal over the weekend to acquire the company’s core business for more than $4.8 billion in cash, and will put Yahoo on the same shelf it keeps AOL. That is but a sliver of the valuation Yahoo tasted in its heyday, including … Continue reading “Verizon Gobbles Up Yahoo, Will Group It With AOL—But What About Tumblr?”

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

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

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

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

The Real Cracks in the Foundation of Ransomware

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

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

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

BLADE Garners Series A Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5f214c23-df4e-441f-be8e-273745fddc52 Date 7/22/2016 Company Name BLADE Mailing Address 499 East 34th Street New York, NY 10016 USA Company Description Providing helicopter trips between Manhattan and the hottest destinations in the Northeast, our app offers you the ability to buy a seat or crowdsource your own flight. Website http://www.flyblade.com Transaction Type Venture Equity … Continue reading “BLADE Garners Series A Financing Round”

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

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

Sprinklr Obtains $105,000,000 Series F Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=42c83600-5b70-4cca-948b-6f172f4103ab Date 7/20/2016 Company Name Sprinklr Mailing Address 29 West 35th Street 7th Floor New York, NY 10001 USA Company Description Sprinklr was founded on the core idea that it is not only possible for large enterprises to successfully adapt to the realities of a world dominated by mobile, social, and network-empowered … Continue reading “Sprinklr Obtains $105,000,000 Series F Financing”

Is the Future of Cybersecurity in M&A?

Last month Symantec announced its plans to buy Blue Coat for $4.7 billion. Has the consolidation—and creation of this enterprise security giant—put immense pressure on other industry players? In an ideal world, and from the perspective of a venture investor, this would absolutely be the case. In 2015, Cybersecurity startups saw 332 funding deals with … Continue reading “Is the Future of Cybersecurity in M&A?”

Oncorus Bags $57M, Touts Next-Gen Take on Cancer-Fighting Viruses

The field of cancer immunotherapy is so crowded and competitive these days that many companies are trying to stand by touting a next-generation approach. The latest company to do so is Oncorus, a Cambridge, MA-based startup that this morning closed a $57 million from a large group of investors. Oncorus was incubated within MPM Capital last year … Continue reading “Oncorus Bags $57M, Touts Next-Gen Take on Cancer-Fighting Viruses”

Zimmer Biomet Enters Robotic Surgery Space with Medtech Deal

Zimmer Biomet is staking out territory in the fast-growing robotic surgery market by acquiring Medtech, a France-based company that has already commercialized robotic systems used in brain and spinal procedures. Warsaw, IN-based Zimmer Biomet (NYSE: [[ticker:ZBH]]) paid an estimated $77 million for a majority stake in Medtech (EURONEXT: [[ticker:ROSA]]), marking its third acquisition in as … Continue reading “Zimmer Biomet Enters Robotic Surgery Space with Medtech Deal”

CommonBond Gets $30M in Equity, $300M in Debt Financing, Acquires Gradible

Just when the online lending scene seemed mired in doldrums and doubt, New York-based CommonBond landed several deals to shake things up. The company announced on Tuesday it raised $30 million, in a Series C equity round led by Neuberger Berman Private Equity, and it also acquired Gradible, a New York-based student loan evaluation company. … Continue reading “CommonBond Gets $30M in Equity, $300M in Debt Financing, Acquires Gradible”

With Celgene Deal, Jounce Lands $261M And a “Trusting Partner”

It’s getting harder and harder to stand out in the increasingly crowded cancer immunotherapy field. But with a wide-ranging alliance being announced this morning, three-year-old Jounce Therapeutics has been able to make its mark. The Cambridge, MA-based company has inked a deal to work with Summit, NJ-based Celgene (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CELG]]) on a group of experimental … Continue reading “With Celgene Deal, Jounce Lands $261M And a “Trusting Partner””

Ex-Epizyme CEO’s New Startup, Fulcrum, Nabs $55M For Gene Control Drugs

Former Epizyme CEO Robert Gould is back with a new startup. A year after stepping down as the CEO of Cambridge, MA-based Epizyme, Gould has re-emerged to lead another Cambridge company, Fulcrum Therapeutics, which has secured a massive $55 million Series A round from Third Rock Ventures. There are some similarities between Gould’s old job … Continue reading “Ex-Epizyme CEO’s New Startup, Fulcrum, Nabs $55M For Gene Control Drugs”

Gust Garners $14,350,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=57d986fd-81a7-4668-838b-7f0eeccb45f6 Date 7/19/2016 Company Name Gust Mailing Address 44 West 28th Street 7th Floor New York, NY 10001 USA Company Description Gust is a global SaaS funding platform for the sourcing and management of early-stage investments. Gust enables skilled entrepreneurs to collaborate with the smartest investors and angel investor networks by virtually … Continue reading “Gust Garners $14,350,000 New Financing”

CommonBond Receives $330,000,000 Series C Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=93efcdaa-4c88-4f60-a745-f6fc35fe5d09 Date 7/19/2016 Company Name CommonBond Mailing Address 524 Broadway 6th Floor New York, NY 10012 USA Company Description Refinance your student loans and save with low rates starting at 2.13% APR. Get a no obligation rate quote today. Website http://www.commonbond.co Transaction Type Venture Equity, Debt Transaction Amount $330,000,000 Transaction Round Series … Continue reading “CommonBond Receives $330,000,000 Series C Funding Round”

Doppler Labs Receives $24,000,000 Series B Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9edb25e9-2347-495d-a758-540c02d5044a Date 7/19/2016 Company Name Doppler Labs Mailing Address 611 Broadway New York, NY 10012 USA Company Description Here One was created by Doppler Labs, a company founded in 2013 with the mission to make computing more immersive and more human. Here One is the result of years of work and is … Continue reading “Doppler Labs Receives $24,000,000 Series B Round”

3D Hubs Obtains $6,999,998 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=92ddd101-a71d-4202-932d-b5dcad8f71f5 Date 7/18/2016 Company Name 3D Hubs Mailing Address East 45th Street 228 New York, NY 10017 USA Company Description Find a local 3D printer for your project. Compare 26641 3D printing services by price, materials and reviews. Website http://www.3dhubs.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $6,999,998 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes … Continue reading “3D Hubs Obtains $6,999,998 New Funding”

Biotech Roundup: Hellos, Goodbyes, “Cures” Delays And Trial News

The week started on a reflective note. Our San Diego editor Bruce Bigelow penned a personal goodbye to entrepreneur Larry Bock, who died last week of pancreatic cancer at the age of 56. And then the news flowed, from a fast reprieve for Juno Therapeutics to no mercy for Elizabeth Holmes. There were other goodbyes: … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Hellos, Goodbyes, “Cures” Delays And Trial News”

‘Megadeals’ Dominate Q2 as VCs Invest $15.3B, and Top 10 Deals

Showing little concern for stock-market volatility or worries over the Brexit, venture capital firms pumped $15.3 billion into 961 deals across the United States during the three months that ended June 30, according to the MoneyTree Report on venture capital activity. It was the 10th consecutive quarter that venture firms put at least $10 billion … Continue reading “‘Megadeals’ Dominate Q2 as VCs Invest $15.3B, and Top 10 Deals”

CyberGRX Gets $9M to Manage Security Risks From Business Partners

An interesting cybersecurity startup emerged from stealth mode in Denver today. CyberGRX, which develops cyber risk management software, said it has closed $9 million in Series A funding, led by Allegis Capital. The company’s other investors include a mix of venture firms such as Blackstone, TenEleven Ventures, Rally Ventures, GV, and MassMutual Ventures, and security … Continue reading “CyberGRX Gets $9M to Manage Security Risks From Business Partners”

Why Entrepreneurs Should Care About Inequality and Divisiveness

The horrific news of recent weeks has amplified America’s long-simmering tensions and many divisions, and cast a new and disturbing light on the nature of social and economic inequality in this economy. The shootings that targeted police officers at a peaceful protest in Dallas, which followed the officer-involved shooting deaths of Philando Castile near Minneapolis … Continue reading “Why Entrepreneurs Should Care About Inequality and Divisiveness”

Refinery29 Obtains New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=f84f3a20-81dd-4b5d-b05e-a3c51fbebddf Date 7/14/2016 Company Name Refinery29 Mailing Address 225 Broadway 23rd Floor New York, NY 10007 USA Company Description Refinery29 is the cornerstone of fashion, beauty, and shopping for a new generation. Combining daily local newsletter editions and a website that serves as a global style hub, Refinery29 offers the only 360-degree … Continue reading “Refinery29 Obtains New Funding”

How Cyber Visibility Protects Against the Abnormal & the Immoral

Another day, another breach. For many Bostonians, the “privacy incident” recently disclosed by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)—which reportedly involved the personal information of 4,300 dental patients stored by a software vendor—hit close to home in many ways, as most of us have at one time or another been to MGH for ourselves or a loved … Continue reading “How Cyber Visibility Protects Against the Abnormal & the Immoral”

From Drones to Sharing Economy, Don’t Disrupt the Disruptors

Napa Valley met the Silicon Valley at the recent Xconomy Retreat on Technology, Jobs, and Growth (aka the Napa Summit). Experts in cutting-edge technology huddled with business leaders and investors in the California wine country to explore what’s on, and just over, the technological horizon. Over the course of the two-day event, drones and the … Continue reading “From Drones to Sharing Economy, Don’t Disrupt the Disruptors”

FDA’s Andrew Mulberg Named to Amicus Therapeutics Regulatory Post

Amicus Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FOLD]]) has named Andrew Mulberg the company’s vice president of regulatory strategy. The pediatric gastroenterologist comes to Cranbury, NJ-based Amicus from the FDA, where he spent six years, most recently as the deputy director of the agency’s Division of Gastroenterology and Inborn Errors Products. Mulberg’s previous roles include posts at Johnson & … Continue reading “FDA’s Andrew Mulberg Named to Amicus Therapeutics Regulatory Post”

Freshly Gets $21M More on Its Plate for Tech Hires, National Expansion

Amid some of the commotion in the food tech sector, on Tuesday New York-based Freshly, a meal delivery startup, announced it raised $21 million in a Series B round led by Insight Venture Partners. Prior investors, including Highland Capital Partners and White Star Capital, also participated. The infusion of funding will go towards some of the … Continue reading “Freshly Gets $21M More on Its Plate for Tech Hires, National Expansion”

Codecademy Secures $30,000,000 Series C Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=bdfc5e45-232a-4f8b-b3e0-7e023585b8a8 Date 7/12/2016 Company Name Codecademy Mailing Address 49 West 27th Street New York, NY 10001 USA Company Description Codecademy is an education company. But not one in the way you might think. We’re committed to building the best learning experience inside and out, making Codecademy the best place for our team … Continue reading “Codecademy Secures $30,000,000 Series C Financing”

Flashpoint Obtains $10,000,000 Series B Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0e7bcd98-0718-4736-b060-cd9f697a5794 Date 7/12/2016 Company Name Flashpoint Mailing Address Undisclosed New York, NY 10003 USA Company Description Illuminate the Deep & Dark Web: Discover the critical missing data and intelligence you need to protect your company and customers from malicious actors. Website http://www.flashpoint-intel.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $10,000,000 Transaction Round Series … Continue reading “Flashpoint Obtains $10,000,000 Series B Funding Round”

Freshly Obtains $21,000,000 Series B Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=81b434b7-d5f5-4f50-af57-db884350103a Date 7/12/2016 Company Name Freshly Mailing Address 115 East 23rd Street New York, NY 10010 USA Company Description FRESHLY simplifies the path to healthy eating by delivering high-quality, professionally-prepared, and affordable gourmet meals straight to your doorstep. Our team of chefs carefully curates locally-sourced and all natural ingredients to design meals … Continue reading “Freshly Obtains $21,000,000 Series B Round”