Category: Raleigh-Durham

Trump Administration Needs To Set U.S. Cybersecurity Mandates

Cybersecurity is the penultimate existential risk to the United States—economically, militarily, socially, and as we have seen recently, politically. The nature of cyber is asymmetric, and given the size of the U.S. economy, our reliance on intellectual property, and the leadership role the U.S. plays in the Community of Nations, we have a lot more … Continue reading “Trump Administration Needs To Set U.S. Cybersecurity Mandates”

For 2017, Concerns on Immigration, Net Neutrality, & Cyber Warfare

I have many concerns about how the upcoming Trump administration will impact the overall tech economy. Some of my biggest worries are as follows: 1) More restrictive immigration laws will make it even harder for startups (as well as more established companies) to attract and retain the highly skilled workers that they need to be … Continue reading “For 2017, Concerns on Immigration, Net Neutrality, & Cyber Warfare”

Top Cybersecurity Lesson from 2016: Unchecked Insiders

An unmistakable lesson from 2016 is that there is an escalating arms race between hackers and the organizations they target—from the highest levels of national governments to corporations and private institutions. And while hackers have many advantages, there are two that are contributing to a rampant spike in cyber breaches right now: 1. Employees, contractors, … Continue reading “Top Cybersecurity Lesson from 2016: Unchecked Insiders”

Diverse Workforces Support the Growth of North Texas Innovation

We have made it a priority since the inception of the DEC to incorporate diversity into all that we do. We have hired a diverse workforce. We have created programs focused on diverse audiences including gender, age, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, and more. We have made all of this a priority not only because it … Continue reading “Diverse Workforces Support the Growth of North Texas Innovation”

Trump Administration Should Examine How Dodd-Frank Stifles Capital

A review by the new Trump administration and Congress of the 2010 Dodd-Frank legislation could address many of the stifling, unintended consequences of that law. Although designed to address abuses in the financial system that led to the 2008 recession, the far-reaching legislation had problems from the start. And while experts of all political stripes … Continue reading “Trump Administration Should Examine How Dodd-Frank Stifles Capital”

Watching for NIH Innovation in 2017—and Drug Pricing, Trade Deals

With the inauguration of Donald Trump as president on January 20th, the editors asked some of our Xconomists to offer their thoughts on “How could the incoming administration significantly affect your industry?” When I worked in the Reagan Administration, the “Gipper” used to handle questions like this by saying he couldn’t respond to hypothetical questions. … Continue reading “Watching for NIH Innovation in 2017—and Drug Pricing, Trade Deals”

Despite Political Rhetoric, Staff Diversity Remains a Top Priority

I don’t think the election of Donald Trump as president does much to bolster those in tech working on creating a more inclusive and diverse industry, but I will continue to be a champion for it nonetheless. Specifically, I’ve ended 2016 by doubling our team at Localeur and introducing an Advisory Board, both of which … Continue reading “Despite Political Rhetoric, Staff Diversity Remains a Top Priority”

Military Families, Seniors in MA and IN to Test Major Healthcare Reform

Seniors in Massachusetts, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, as well as military families across the nation, will soon get the opportunity to test a major healthcare reform developed by faculty at the University of Michigan. Called Value-Based Insurance Design (V-BID), the new approach to insurance coverage departs from the current “one-size-fits-all” system, in which people pay standard … Continue reading “Military Families, Seniors in MA and IN to Test Major Healthcare Reform”

FDA Rejects Cempra Antibiotic, Asks for Another Clinical Trial

[Updated 12/29/16, 2:50 pm. See below.] The FDA has rejected a Cempra antibiotic drug for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia citing the same safety issues that came to light when an independent advisory panel to the regulator evaluated the drug in November. Chapel Hill, NC-based Cempra (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CEMP]]) said Thursday that the FDA’s rejection letter stated the … Continue reading “FDA Rejects Cempra Antibiotic, Asks for Another Clinical Trial”

Political Focus on Rust Belt Could Help Boost VC Investment

Much has been written in the tech industry as a result of the Presidential election. Many coastal VCs and entrepreneurs believe that Trump’s America-first, anti-immigration platform could put the brakes on the venture industry’s core globalization strategies. While this may be true, regardless of which candidate you supported, most would agree that with chaos and … Continue reading “Political Focus on Rust Belt Could Help Boost VC Investment”

6 Cybersecurity Predictions for 2017: Ransomware, Skills Gap & More

In 2016, we saw cyber attacks increasingly shift from external breaches of confidential data to internal disruption of data and services, as attackers used distributed denial of service (DDoS) or encryption to hold businesses hostage. Attackers continue to focus more on exploiting users than technology. Users are often unaware and uneducated about the potential risks, … Continue reading “6 Cybersecurity Predictions for 2017: Ransomware, Skills Gap & More”

Immigration Restrictions, Lack of Healthcare Could Imperil Innovation

It’s hard to predict what effect the new administration will have, since we have very little information on any concrete policies they plan to enact. We do know a few things—namely, they are anti-Obamacare and anti-immigration. Decreasing the number of visas granted to highly skilled workers (a likely possibility given Steve Bannon’s comments on Silicon … Continue reading “Immigration Restrictions, Lack of Healthcare Could Imperil Innovation”

Bio Roundup: Crazy ’16, Trials of ’17, Senate on Drugs & More

You’ve probably seen the Internet memes. “When 2016 started, I looked like this. [Insert picture of young Leo DiCaprio.] Now I look like this. [Leo, with mountain beard, after mud-wrestling with a grizzly in The Revenant.]” In life science terms, let’s just say all our telomeres feel a lot shorter than 12 months ago. The … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Crazy ’16, Trials of ’17, Senate on Drugs & More”

The Price of Growth: Founders’ Dilution

Founders of a company considering the various available fundraising options often ask the challenging question: Why take venture capital money, which may significantly dilute the founders and might result in a loss of control of the company? Although the venture capital path is always a possibility, founders are often concerned about the consequences of such … Continue reading “The Price of Growth: Founders’ Dilution”

14 for ’17: Key Clinical Data To Watch For Next Year (Part 2)

We continue our look ahead to some of the clinical data due in 2017 that could shape healthcare practice and sway investor sentiment for years to come. Part one of our preview is here, with looks at key studies in lung cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, and more. In part two, we examine studies in leukemia, … Continue reading “14 for ’17: Key Clinical Data To Watch For Next Year (Part 2)”

Pendo Receives $19,999,947 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=20d08169-4acf-49c5-8567-2200939a3866 Date 12/22/2016 Company Name Pendo Mailing Address 234 Fayetteville St Raleigh, NC 27603 USA Company Description Pendo was founded in late 2013 by former product owners that have experienced the joys and challenges of creating great products at companies like Rally, Google, Cisco, and Red Hat among others. Our platform is … Continue reading “Pendo Receives $19,999,947 New Funding Round”

14 For ’17: Key Clinical Data to Watch For Next Year (Part 1)

[Updated, 4:28 pm ET, see below] After years of research, frustration, hype, and millions (sometimes hundreds of millions) of dollars invested, a drug program boils down to the clinical data—usually from big, late-stage studies—that can sometimes make or break a company. There were high profile successes in 2016. Biogen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]) and Ionis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: … Continue reading “14 For ’17: Key Clinical Data to Watch For Next Year (Part 1)”

Benson Hill Bio Brings Power of Big Data to Small Plant Breeders

When farmers want crops that have a better shot at resisting disease or taking up nutrients, they use breeding techniques to develop new varieties. Crossing plants to create these varieties is an agricultural practice that dates back thousands of years. Breeding has since become more sophisticated, incorporating sophisticated screening technologies to find desirable traits. But … Continue reading “Benson Hill Bio Brings Power of Big Data to Small Plant Breeders”

Industry Needs Common Security Standards to Thwart IoT Attacks

A silver lining has emerged in the wake of the massive and well-publicized denial-of-service attack launched less than two months ago by hackers using millions of IoT devices to cripple the websites of major companies like Amazon, Netflix and Twitter. This ambush has triggered a redoubling of efforts to focus on the need for industry-led … Continue reading “Industry Needs Common Security Standards to Thwart IoT Attacks”

What Is Causing Startups to Go Bankrupt?

Many startups have a great product that’s viable, marketable, and ripe with potential. But if that was the only indicator of success, then nine out of 10 startups wouldn’t fail. The annals of startup history wouldn’t be littered with instances of companies like Friendster or Color that had fantastic products, but eventually sank. The truth … Continue reading “What Is Causing Startups to Go Bankrupt?”

7 Ways to Secure Your Connected Devices Against Hackers

’Tis the season for giving gifts. And increasingly, those shiny new toys and gadgets can be connected to the Internet—from TVs to watches, speakers to Barbie dolls. That Internet connection opens up a ton of possibilities for how we can use and enjoy our new devices. (“Alexa, play my Christmas playlist on Spotify, and also … Continue reading “7 Ways to Secure Your Connected Devices Against Hackers”

Biogen Promotes Vounatsos to CEO, Capping Scangos’s 6-Year Run

Biogen didn’t go far to find its new CEO. The company promoted chief commercial officer Michel Vounatsos to the top spot on Monday, succeeding former chief executive George Scangos. When Scangos announced this summer that he would step down from Biogen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]), the Cambridge, MA-based biotech said it would consider both internal and external … Continue reading “Biogen Promotes Vounatsos to CEO, Capping Scangos’s 6-Year Run”

Bio Roundup: NY Rises, Prez Inks Cures, Ophthotech Crashes & More

The 21st Century Cures Act is now law. New York wants to play in the biotech big leagues. The FDA under Trump will have license to approve drugs faster and could have a former top official back on board as commissioner. An eye drug failed, an Alzheimer’s drug got scrutinized, and a new antibiotic passed … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: NY Rises, Prez Inks Cures, Ophthotech Crashes & More”

50 Podcasts You Should Be Listening To—and 5 New Ways to Find Them

If you’re not much of a podcast listener and you have a sense that you’re missing out on a lot of great content, you’re absolutely right. But now is a good time to fix that, thanks to a new profusion of listening options. And to get you started, I have a few shows to suggest. … Continue reading “50 Podcasts You Should Be Listening To—and 5 New Ways to Find Them”

Bio Roundup: Fast “Cures,” Trump In Time, CRISPR In Court & More

What a week. The 21st Century Cures Act is now waiting President Obama’s promised signature after easy passage through Congress. President-elect Donald Trump re-stirred the drug-pricing pot with comments in Time Magazine and a reported FDA commissioner candidate who doesn’t seem to think much of the regulatory process. And a trio of judges met to … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Fast “Cures,” Trump In Time, CRISPR In Court & More”

Wake Up, Pharma—Trump Is Not Your Savior

Since the election, leaders in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals are acting like they got away with robbery. The Nasdaq Biotechnology Index went up 9 percent overnight on November 8th. With Donald Trump coming into office, the whole industry seems to have breathed a sigh of relief that the status quo—a continuous race toward higher prices—will last … Continue reading “Wake Up, Pharma—Trump Is Not Your Savior”

Senate Approves 21st Century Cures Act, Sending Bill to Obama

The U.S. Senate has voted overwhelmingly to approve the 21st Century Cures Act, a wide-ranging healthcare spending and reform bill that aims to infuse medical research with new funding and also speed up the regulatory approval process for new drugs and medical devices. With the Senate’s 94-5 vote on Wednesday, the bill now advances to … Continue reading “Senate Approves 21st Century Cures Act, Sending Bill to Obama”

Cancer Genetics Secures $5,500,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=aa45273c-9efb-41e6-92e5-86be982dbeb0 Date 12/7/2016 Company Name Cancer Genetics Mailing Address 133 Southcenter Court Rutherford, NC 27560 USA Company Description Cancer Genetics, Inc. develops, commercializes, and provides molecular and biomarker-based tests and services in the United States, India, and China. Website http://www.cancergenetics.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,500,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes … Continue reading “Cancer Genetics Secures $5,500,000 New Financing Round”

Metabolon Obtains $15,000,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=8e35867f-4955-4577-ad54-e2ee8e9e3644 Date 12/7/2016 Company Name Metabolon Mailing Address 617 Davis Dr. Durham, NC 27713 USA Company Description Metabolon has quickly become a leader in the discovery of biomarkers using metabolomics. Located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, Metabolon is based in a biotechnology epicenter. Website http://www.metabolon.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Metabolon Obtains $15,000,000 New Financing”

ASH Roundup: CAR-T Shuffle, Hemophilia Updates, Checkpoint Progress & More

Two years ago at the American Society of Hematology conference, excitement, not blood, was running in the streets of San Francisco. The cancer immunotherapy known as CAR-T was the star of the show, thanks to dazzling early data that showed more patients than not saw their leukemias and lymphomas knocked into remission by the living, … Continue reading “ASH Roundup: CAR-T Shuffle, Hemophilia Updates, Checkpoint Progress & More”

With Nod To Biden, Senate To Say Yes To “Cures” Spending, Reform Bill

The U.S. Senate cleared the way for the 21st Century Cures Act, an omnibus healthcare spending and reform bill, by voting 85-13 to end debate this evening. It passed the House with 392 votes last week. After a final Senate vote as early as tomorrow, it will head to President Obama’s desk. The president used … Continue reading “With Nod To Biden, Senate To Say Yes To “Cures” Spending, Reform Bill”

With Cowboys’ Backing, Blue Star Set to Boost Sports Startups

Dallas—Partners with a deep well of subject matter expertise and capital are on the top of any entrepreneur’s wish list. Now an accelerator tailored to sports technology startups might be giving those founders a connection to the ultimate in sports and marketing royalty: the Dallas Cowboys. The new Blue Star Accelerator, aimed at nurturing young … Continue reading “With Cowboys’ Backing, Blue Star Set to Boost Sports Startups”

The Xconomy Immuno-Oncology Resource: A Mid-ASH T Cell Update

[Updated, 12/5/16, 4 p.m. See below.] If you’re following cancer immunotherapy, you might feel a bit swamped by this week’s wave of clinical data from experimental programs that turn living T cells into revved-up cancer fighters. We’re updating our ongoing cancer immunotherapy trial resource with American Society of Hematology results, plus a few others we’ve … Continue reading “The Xconomy Immuno-Oncology Resource: A Mid-ASH T Cell Update”

This Week in Drug Pricing and Post-Election Healthcare Policy News

Healthcare news has been coming fast and furious in the fallout of the election, particularly this week. Read on below for the latest on the 21st Century Cures Act, the Trump Administration’s latest nominees, and a biopharma CEO’s warning to his peers on drug pricing. IN WASHINGTON… —The House of Representatives passed a sweeping healthcare … Continue reading “This Week in Drug Pricing and Post-Election Healthcare Policy News”

Bio Roundup: CAR-T Ups & Downs, Lilly’s Failure, Myeloma & More

We’ve packed some extra stuffing into the roundup this week to account for some burnt turkey delivered by biopharma in the few days before Thanksgiving—starting with Eli Lilly’s failed gamble in Alzheimer’s disease. Lilly wasn’t alone, however. Several companies, among them Juno Therapeutics, Arrowhead Pharmaceutials, and Nivalis Therapeutics, have had some bad news for investors … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: CAR-T Ups & Downs, Lilly’s Failure, Myeloma & More”

Brushing Aside Critics, House Votes in Landslide for Cures Act

By a 392 to 26 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the omnibus healthcare legislation called the 21st Century Cures Act, bringing new funding for top Obama administration health priorities a big step closer to the outgoing president’s signature. While critics of the bill questioned whether that funding would actually materialize in coming … Continue reading “Brushing Aside Critics, House Votes in Landslide for Cures Act”

RAM shift phase 2

[Editor’s note: Seattle-based sci-fi author Greg Bear has contemplated a day when intelligent machines, which are already assisting or replacing humans in manufacturing and transportation, could do his job, too. Indeed, a World Economic Forum study (PDF) predicts that technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics will replace some 5 million jobs by 2020, while … Continue reading “RAM shift phase 2”

Trump Tabs Fiscal, Social Conservatives To Run U.S. Health Agencies

Two big pieces of the Trump healthcare puzzle have fallen into place. The President-elect’s transition team has nominated Georgia Republican congressman Tom Price to be Health and Human Services secretary. It has also tabbed Indiana health consultant Seema Verma to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In a statement, Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), … Continue reading “Trump Tabs Fiscal, Social Conservatives To Run U.S. Health Agencies”

The Tough Questions You Must Discuss Before You Take the Money

If all goes well, the day will come when just one small thing will stand between you and funding for your startup: your signature on a term sheet. Most founders quickly sign on the line and get back to the business of growing their business. Smart ones set aside the paperwork, grab their business partners, … Continue reading “The Tough Questions You Must Discuss Before You Take the Money”

AvidXchange Obtains $14,500,007 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9a027582-5155-4069-a067-1a34db569294 Date 11/29/2016 Company Name AvidXchange Mailing Address 1111 Metropolitan Avenue Charlotte, NC 28204 USA Company Description AvidXchange provides end-to-end automated bill payment solutions for your company. Website http://www.avidxchange.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $14,500,007 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. 2 investors participated in the offering. … Continue reading “AvidXchange Obtains $14,500,007 New Round”

Natural Pesticides Maker Marrone Bio Gets EPA Nod on Biofumigant

A biological fumigant developed by Marrone Bio Innovations is one step closer to joining the pest-control toolkit of strawberry farmers after clearing a key regulatory hurdle. Marrone Bio (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MBII]]) announced Monday that the Environmental Protection Agency has registered the Davis, CA-based company’s biofumigant, called MBI-601 EP. The biofumigant was developed to control and suppress … Continue reading “Natural Pesticides Maker Marrone Bio Gets EPA Nod on Biofumigant”

Should We Rewrite the Human Genome?

Scientists are engineering a new living thing: a radically modified version of the lowly bacterium E. coli. In an article in Science from August, researchers at Harvard University described an ongoing project to build the genetic code of E. coli from scratch, but with major revisions to create a new strain unlike any in existence. The modified E. coli is … Continue reading “Should We Rewrite the Human Genome?”

The Convergence of Information Technology and the Life Sciences

We are at an incredible inflection point in the traditionally distinct fields of information technology and the life sciences. These broad disciplines are converging to advance fields of study like computational biology and systems biology, resulting in new forms of therapeutics and diagnostics that could have a monumentally positive impact on human health. At DFJ … Continue reading “The Convergence of Information Technology and the Life Sciences”

Sluggish Year for IPOs, But Signs Abound of Post-Election Surge

Uncertainty surrounding this year’s presidential election has kept U.S. IPO activity at a sluggish pace—so sluggish, in fact, that this year could end with the fewest IPOs and the lowest level of capital raised since 2009, according to PitchBook data for the first nine months of 2016. But this is no time to trash talk … Continue reading “Sluggish Year for IPOs, But Signs Abound of Post-Election Surge”

Syngenta, Bayer Try ‘Open Innovation’ to Find Next Big Agtech Idea

Agriculture is a more technical business than many people realize. Consider modern farm equipment: A John Deere tractor today contains more lines of code than a Boeing 747 jetliner, according to Syngenta’s Rick DeRose. Big agriculture companies like Syngenta (NYSE: [[ticker:SYT]]) are now coming to a realization of their own: Not all of the new … Continue reading “Syngenta, Bayer Try ‘Open Innovation’ to Find Next Big Agtech Idea”

Micell Technologies Secures $25,775,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=81df77b9-a83b-4994-8190-0b801b7aae42 Date 11/21/2016 Company Name Micell Technologies Mailing Address 801 Capitola Dr. Durham, NC 27713 USA Company Description Our Supercritical Fluid Technology consists of patented processes and methods for surface modifications of medical devices with specific focus on improvements to current polymer based drug-eluting technologies. Website http://www.micell.com Transaction Type Venture Equity, Debt … Continue reading “Micell Technologies Secures $25,775,000 New Financing”

Bio Roundup: Trump’s Rx Silence, PCSK9 News, Amgen’s Migraines & More

Speculation swirled this week around the incoming U.S. president’s intent to make good on his angry campaign rhetoric on drug prices, while the Associated Press reported that naming-and-shaming—that is, Congress hauling executives into hearings and penning angry letters—certainly hasn’t done the trick. For one new kind of cholesterol drug, insurers and their agents have tried … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Trump’s Rx Silence, PCSK9 News, Amgen’s Migraines & More”

How to Lower Drug Prices, Improve Care, and Save Pharma

I recently received a note from a longtime friend who questioned me on the issue of pharma pricing. I answered with the always-reliable alleviating-the-scourge-of-disease-through-the-miracle-of-modern-medicine defense of “free-market pricing.”  My friend, who is not in the pharmaceutical business, responded: The fundamental flaw in your argument centers on the notion that there is any relevance to “market … Continue reading “How to Lower Drug Prices, Improve Care, and Save Pharma”