Category: Raleigh-Durham

Research Triangle Foundation Lands $50M to Jumpstart Park Center Plan

North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, for decades a source of inventions in technology and life sciences, is preparing to reinvent itself. Founded through a collaboration of industry, government, and academia, the Park is turning to public-private partnerships once again to spark development, with $50 million in funding that paves the way for the Park’s first … Continue reading “Research Triangle Foundation Lands $50M to Jumpstart Park Center Plan”

My Déjà Vu Moment in Genomics: Why We Need Industry Standards Now

I am a serial entrepreneur who has spent the past couple of decades advancing the front lines of technology in digital healthcare, wireless communications, and semiconductor industries. And I’ve been experiencing a déjà vu moment in genomics. Back in 1994, when I was designing electrical circuits as part of my doctorate program at the University … Continue reading “My Déjà Vu Moment in Genomics: Why We Need Industry Standards Now”

Trinity’s Fred Wang on Thinking Outside the Silicon Valley Box

When it comes to investing in technology startups, anywhere beyond Silicon Valley is considered a “secondary market.” It’s just not possible to find a comparable density of super angel investors, venture capital firms, and tech startups anywhere else. Of the nearly $31 billion that venture firms have invested nationwide through the first half of 2015, … Continue reading “Trinity’s Fred Wang on Thinking Outside the Silicon Valley Box”

Shkreli Implodes And Provides Hillary A Perfect Medicare Moment

It was already a good political time for Hillary Clinton to unveil her plan to control the cost of prescription drugs. Martin Shkreli made it perfect. As you’ve probably heard by now, the front-running Democratic candidate Clinton on Tuesday outlined about a dozen ways she would aim to alter the American healthcare landscape if elected … Continue reading “Shkreli Implodes And Provides Hillary A Perfect Medicare Moment”

TransEnterix Acquires SOFAR Surgical Robotics Unit in $100M Deal

[Updated 9/22/15, 12:08 pm. See below.] Medical device company TransEnterix has reached across the Atlantic Ocean to acquire the surgical robotics division of Italian company SOFAR in a cash and stock deal valued at $99.8 million. Research Triangle Park, NC-based based TransEnterix (NYSE: [[ticker:TRXC]]) has already developed its own robotic surgical system for minimally invasive … Continue reading “TransEnterix Acquires SOFAR Surgical Robotics Unit in $100M Deal”

Kickstarting Entrepreneurs in San Diego by Testing Market Demand

In the six or seven years since Kickstarter and Indiegogo launched their crowdfunding sites, the way entrepreneurs raise money to finance their endeavors has fundamentally changed. These two companies have become the gold standard for helping entrepreneurs get their startups off the ground. In the old days (before 2008), an entrepreneur would typically come up … Continue reading “Kickstarting Entrepreneurs in San Diego by Testing Market Demand”

Raleigh-Durham Roundup: Biotech Center, AvidExchange, Cempra, & More

Here are some of the top headlines from the last week in North Carolina biotech, tech, and cleantech news. —The North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s funding was preserved in the $21.7 billion state budget, approved and signed into law last week—two months after the scheduled close of the legislative session. The Senate had initially proposed slashing … Continue reading “Raleigh-Durham Roundup: Biotech Center, AvidExchange, Cempra, & More”

Reality Check: Cancer Experts Discuss Hurdles Facing CAR-T Therapy

There’s a lot of excitement these days about a type of cellular immunotherapy known as CAR-T, a method of modifying peoples’ immune cells to fight cancer. But you could also fill a book listing all the problems its makers will have to solve—how to test, manufacture, and even the define the nature of these cancer-killing … Continue reading “Reality Check: Cancer Experts Discuss Hurdles Facing CAR-T Therapy”

Sequoia Capital’s Goetz on Carbon3D, a North Carolina-Born “Unicorn”

Sequoia Capital’s Jim Goetz invested in the North Carolina-born 3D printing startup that would go on to become the venture capital firm’s latest “unicorn” after seeing the technology in action—demonstrated by the high school student who helped build the prototype printer. Carbon3D’s technology can 3D print in minutes what takes hours with currently available technology. … Continue reading “Sequoia Capital’s Goetz on Carbon3D, a North Carolina-Born “Unicorn””

With Revamped Trial, Aerie, Glaucoma Drug Bounce Back

Aerie Pharmaceuticals took a beating from investors earlier this year when its glaucoma drug failed the first of a few Phase 3 trials. But today the company has bounced back, thanks to a helping hand from the FDA. Bedminster, NJ and Irvine, CA-based Aerie (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AERI]]) said late Wednesday that its glaucoma drug, known as … Continue reading “With Revamped Trial, Aerie, Glaucoma Drug Bounce Back”

The Risks and Opportunities of Doing Business in Emerging Markets

If you’re a startup or small business based in the U.S., chances are that you’re engaging with other emerging markets in some way or another. Perhaps you’re serving customers in those markets – or you have partners, suppliers, or consultants located there – or perhaps some of your team members are based there, or traveling … Continue reading “The Risks and Opportunities of Doing Business in Emerging Markets”

Obama Nominates Duke Veteran Rob Califf To Lead FDA

President Obama has nominated cardiologist Rob Califf to be the next head of the Food and Drug Administration, replacing the outgoing Margaret “Peggy” Hamburg. The nomination is no surprise. Speculation that Califf could be the next commissioner gained momentum in late January when the FDA named him a top deputy. Two weeks later, Hamburg said … Continue reading “Obama Nominates Duke Veteran Rob Califf To Lead FDA”

CED Report: NC Companies Raised $427M in First Half of 2015

Sprout Pharmaceuticals made recent headlines by securing the first FDA approval for a sexual-desire drug, then landing a deal days later to be acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals for $1 billion. But the Raleigh, NC-based company is also notable for the $50 million it raised from investors in June—the largest investment for any North Carolina company … Continue reading “CED Report: NC Companies Raised $427M in First Half of 2015”

American Copycats: Can Biosimilars Catch On And Cut Costs In U.S.?

Americans need to spend less on healthcare. Anyone disagree? No country spends like we do: 17 percent of our gross domestic product the past four years, in fact, according to the World Bank. No other country—rich, poor, big, small, frozen, tropical, whatever—comes close. (OK, except for the tiny Pacific island nation of Tuvalu. Really.) Now … Continue reading “American Copycats: Can Biosimilars Catch On And Cut Costs In U.S.?”

AvidXchange Lands $225,000,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1f52c955-84d9-4dca-9d39-df0112cbf6f9 Date 9/15/2015 Company Name AvidXchange Mailing Address 1111 Metropolitan Avenue Charlotte, NC 28204 USA Company Description AvidXchange is the leader in on-demand invoice management services. More customers trust their accounts payable data to AvidXchange than to any other company in the world. Website http://www.avidxchange.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $225,000,000 … Continue reading “AvidXchange Lands $225,000,000 New Financing Round”

Pharma Plays The “Value” Card: Drug Spending Then And Now

Dr. John Lechleiter, the CEO of Eli Lilly, recently attempted to debunk five “Big Myths” about Big Pharma. As he wrote, “Only about 10 cents of every U.S. healthcare dollar is spent on retail prescription medicines—which is the same share that was spent on prescriptions in 1960. While the overall use of medicines to treat … Continue reading “Pharma Plays The “Value” Card: Drug Spending Then And Now”

FoodLogiQ Receives New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=257c0f84-18a7-4def-9700-1cc42f72ef48 Date 9/11/2015 Company Name FoodLogiQ Mailing Address 2655 Meridian Parkway Durham, NC 27713 USA Company Description FoodLogiQ was founded in 2006 with a mission to create a platform with food chain-wide traceability—not just one forward and one back, but at every stop from the fields to the tables of end consumers. … Continue reading “FoodLogiQ Receives New Financing Round”

Valencell Garners $2,648,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=32df6348-c03b-4cf0-904f-8c4602563d01 Date 9/11/2015 Company Name Valencell Mailing Address 4601 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 USA Company Description Valencell’s proprietary Healthsnet techology turns mobile devices into health and fitness devices, addressing the growing demand for seamless monitoring of physical performance, fitness, and health status. Website http://www.valencell.com Transaction Type Debt Transaction Amount $2,648,000 … Continue reading “Valencell Garners $2,648,000 New Funding Round”

Canopy Receives $1,500,000 Seed Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ede4ccda-642b-454d-a6b9-e5930d75d9db Date 9/9/2015 Company Name Canopy Mailing Address 3110 Edwards Mill Road Raleigh, NC 27612 USA Company Description Canopy is a centralized platform that allows its customers to manage all aspects of their routine home maintenance, including scheduling, billing, and customer support from one convenient, online location. Website http://www.trycanopy.com Transaction Type Venture … Continue reading “Canopy Receives $1,500,000 Seed Round”

How to Succeed in the Second Digital Era

Blockbuster. Borders. The U.S. Postal Service. These once-dominant entities, and many more, have all been victims of disruptive tech. Although it’s too early to sound the death knell for taxis, it’s also too late to say that ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft are a flash in the pan. The disruptive change they represent is … Continue reading “How to Succeed in the Second Digital Era”

CommScope Adds Airvana to Boost Indoor Wireless Offerings

CommScope, a company that provides telecommunications equipment for wired and wireless networks, has reached an agreement to acquire Airvana to beef up its capabilities supporting indoor wireless coverage. Hickory, NC-based CommScope (NASDAQ: [[ticker:COMM]]) says it will finance the acquisition with cash, but disclosed no terms other than to say it aims to close the deal … Continue reading “CommScope Adds Airvana to Boost Indoor Wireless Offerings”

Inclusion in Tech Entrepreneurship: Meritocracy or Myth?

We’ve been hearing a lot about how the high-tech industry has been working to recruit more underrepresented minorities and women into its ranks, without much early success. Less than 2 percent of the employees at Facebook, Google, and Twitter are African-American, according to the companies’ Equal Employment Opportunity reports for 2014, released earlier this year. … Continue reading “Inclusion in Tech Entrepreneurship: Meritocracy or Myth?”

9 Frothy Tech Sectors of 2015: Food Delivery, Fintech, Drones & More

There’s a point at which a technology market or sector feels overhyped and saturated. Sometimes it’s when the first $1 billion valuation is announced—or when venture capital starts flowing so freely that it seems due diligence is an afterthought. And it’s definitely when media start calling tech businesses “Uber for (fill in the blank).” In … Continue reading “9 Frothy Tech Sectors of 2015: Food Delivery, Fintech, Drones & More”

With New CEO, Seattle’s Faraday Pharma Aims to Exploit Ikaria Roots

[Updated 9/3/15, 11:30 am. See below.] Tiny Faraday Pharmaceuticals of Seattle launched last year to try what its predecessor Ikaria couldn’t do: Turn the cutting-edge research of founder Mark Roth, a MacArthur Foundation “genius” award winner, into a medical product. Now Faraday, which emerged from stealth and announced a round of funding last year but … Continue reading “With New CEO, Seattle’s Faraday Pharma Aims to Exploit Ikaria Roots”

Zift Solutions Receives $14,300,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0f5e3c94-4f0e-44f6-9db7-f7018c4091ea Date 9/3/2015 Company Name Zift Solutions Mailing Address 4601 Creekstone Drive Durham, NC 27703 USA Company Description Zift Solutions provides a marketing distribution platform that extends the reach of your marketing campaigns through your channel. Website http://www.ziftsolutions.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount $14,300,000 Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes M&A Terms Undisclosed Venture … Continue reading “Zift Solutions Receives $14,300,000 New Financing”

Medfusion Secures $3,000,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=ba1712b7-824f-4313-85cb-7b226ce5c49f Date 9/2/2015 Company Name Medfusion Mailing Address 5501 Dillard Dr. Cary, NC 27518 USA Company Description By streamlining the business of healthcare through better technology, Medfusion helps clear the way for those who want to give and receive better care. Website http://www.medfusion.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,000,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “Medfusion Secures $3,000,000 New Financing Round”

Medfusion Lands $3M for Patient-Focused Software Push

There’s a lot of talk in the health IT space about getting patients actively engaged in health care, and a lot of companies are trying to do it through mobile apps. Medfusion, a health software company that already has a nationwide customer base of physicians, now wants to reach out to patients directly and the … Continue reading “Medfusion Lands $3M for Patient-Focused Software Push”

At Summer’s End, Can Crossover Winds Stay At Biotech’s Back?

For certain parts of the population, “summer” is a verb, and in the U.S., one does it until Labor Day. One more week, then, before sunburned financial types return to their desks and biotech IPO hopefuls hit the road to plead their cases. Whether August’s market volatility continues its stomach-churning ways or recedes in September’s … Continue reading “At Summer’s End, Can Crossover Winds Stay At Biotech’s Back?”

5 Questions to Ask Before Investing in People or Technology

Congratulations. Your startup made it through its first challenging years, and you’re seeing positive returns. But, there’s always room to grow. Is it time to hire more salespeople, or should you invest in customer relationship management (CRM), productivity software, or another technology that can improve your business? The choice between putting money into technology or … Continue reading “5 Questions to Ask Before Investing in People or Technology”

With $229M Deal, Amicus Gets a New Drug And Perhaps a Voucher

Just how far has Amicus Therapeutics come in two years? In 2013, the Cranbury, NJ-based company was reeling from a trial failure and restructuring to conserve cash. Now, it’s eyeing its first drug approval and buying a startup in a nine-figure deal. Amicus (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FOLD]]) this morning is announcing the acquisition of Durham, NC-based Scioderm. … Continue reading “With $229M Deal, Amicus Gets a New Drug And Perhaps a Voucher”

Amicus Therapeutics Acquires Scioderm for $847,000,000

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b11874bf-4835-4bda-96a9-9fccc55d3ab5 Date 8/31/2015 Company Name Scioderm Mailing Address 1007 Slater Road Durham, NC 27703 USA Company Description The core business focus of Scioderm is the development of innovative dermatological drugs. Our strategy is to in-license or acquire early to mid-stage pharmaceutical products with the intent to develop the topical products. Website http://www.sderm.com … Continue reading “Amicus Therapeutics Acquires Scioderm for $847,000,000”

FlexTech Alliance To Manage $75M Defense Institute for Tech Manufacturing

California research consortium FlexTech Alliance announced today it has landed a $75 million U.S. Department of Defense contract that makes it the organizational hub for a sweeping government effort to advance American manufacturing capabilities for flexible products like clothing that are enhanced with electronic sensors and processing power. The Defense Department will funnel research contracts … Continue reading “FlexTech Alliance To Manage $75M Defense Institute for Tech Manufacturing”

Tessera Snaps Up 3D Chip Bonder Ziptronix for $39M

As electronic devices get smaller and more powerful, the chip technology inside them has to pack more punch in less space. Semiconductor technology company Ziptronix developed a more efficient and less expensive way to bond the chips used to make the 3D integrated circuits that offer greater performance from a smaller footprint. That technology now … Continue reading “Tessera Snaps Up 3D Chip Bonder Ziptronix for $39M”

Our Plan for Reinventing Alzheimer’s Disease R&D at UC San Diego

When the late Dr. Leon Thal, renowned neurologist and chairman of the Neurosciences Department at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, first imagined a research network able to conduct clinical trials of new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, it was an idea ahead of its time. The degenerative condition was poorly understood, with no existing … Continue reading “Our Plan for Reinventing Alzheimer’s Disease R&D at UC San Diego”

ArchiveSocial Receives $1,039,981 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=4e395f27-d411-4c68-9038-c7e9823c30ce Date 8/28/2015 Company Name ArchiveSocial Mailing Address PO Box 3330 Durham, NC 27702 USA Company Description Social media provides an incredibly powerful platform for businesses to reach and engage a wide audience – often in a very public and dynamic fashion. Our mission is to help organizations comfortably embrace social media … Continue reading “ArchiveSocial Receives $1,039,981 New Financing Round”

Tessera Technologies Acquires Ziptronix for $39,000,000

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e77065a1-a13e-4a8a-ba19-2729018407ff Date 8/28/2015 Company Name Ziptronix Mailing Address 800 Perimeter Park Drive Morrisville, NC 27560 USA Company Description Ziptronix was spun out from North Carolina’s RTI International for the purpose of commercializing a revolutionary wafer and die bonding technology. Website http://www.ziptronix.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount $39,000,000 Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes M&A … Continue reading “Tessera Technologies Acquires Ziptronix for $39,000,000”

Digital Textiles Printer Spoonflower Sews Up $25M Investment

Textiles startup Spoonflower is reviving North Carolina’s legacy in the fabrics business with a new, digital twist. Now the company has $25 million in additional capital to expand its reach. Durham, NC-based Spoonflower announced the new funding Wednesday. North Bridge Growth Equity, a Boston-based firm, led the investment, which included participation from Bull City Venture … Continue reading “Digital Textiles Printer Spoonflower Sews Up $25M Investment”

Spoonflower Garners $25,000,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=94a40b58-3505-4691-8aa4-bcf4e8bcb59b Date 8/26/2015 Company Name Spoonflower Mailing Address 2810 Meridian Parkway Durham, NC 27713 USA Company Description At Spoonflower we make it possible for individuals to design, print and sell their own fabric, wallpaper and gift wrap. It was founded in May 2008 by two Internet geeks who had crafty wives but … Continue reading “Spoonflower Garners $25,000,000 New Funding Round”

Private Code Academies Stake Their Claims in San Diego

Private “coding academies”—vocational schools that provide accelerated training for software development jobs—have begun to sprout in San Diego. The newest arrival, Origin Code Academy, is recruiting students for its first class on Sept. 21, and says it is the first coding education provider in San Diego “to guarantee its students a software development job within … Continue reading “Private Code Academies Stake Their Claims in San Diego”

Hatteras Venture Closes $90M Life Sciences, Health IT Fund

Hatteras Venture Partners has reloaded, closing a new fund this morning to make a fresh round of investments in life science and health IT companies. The Durham, NC-based venture capital firm has raised more than $90 million for the fund, the company’s fifth. Ireland-based Malin (ISE: [[ticker:MLC]]) led the investment, which could reach as much … Continue reading “Hatteras Venture Closes $90M Life Sciences, Health IT Fund”

Exela Pharma Sciences Secures $419,828 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a7fda391-ae23-4f54-93f4-1e704b6d3427 Date 8/24/2015 Company Name Exela Pharma Sciences Mailing Address 1245 Blowing Rock Blvd. Lenoir, NC 28645 USA Company Description Exela is a fast growing specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to providing high value sterile products to patients. Exela develops and manufactures both innovative and generic injectable and ophthalmic pharmaceutical products. Website http://www.exelapharma.com … Continue reading “Exela Pharma Sciences Secures $419,828 New Round”

Carbon3D Gains Google’s $100M Backing for 3-D Printing Tech

[Updated 8/20/15, 5 p.m. See below.] Is Carbon3D the next step in 3-D printing? Google seems to think so. Google Ventures led a $100 million round in the San Francisco-based company, which has developed a method of “printing” objects from a liquid resin using a photochemical process that it says is based on a a character … Continue reading “Carbon3D Gains Google’s $100M Backing for 3-D Printing Tech”

Valeant to Acquire Addyi Maker Sprout Pharma in $1B Deal

Sprout Pharmaceuticals is set to be acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals for $1 billion cash, a deal that comes just two days after the small drug company secured FDA approval for the first drug to boost the sex drive in women with low libido. The agreement, announced this morning, will put Raleigh, NC-based Sprout’s flibanserin (Addyi) … Continue reading “Valeant to Acquire Addyi Maker Sprout Pharma in $1B Deal”

AgBiome Obtains $34,500,000 Series B Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=6fea8bc7-8e52-4988-8655-0ece07056b94 Date 8/20/2015 Company Name AgBiome Mailing Address 104 T W Alexander Drive Building 18 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA Company Description AgBiome provides industry-leading discovery and early research for agriculture. Website http://www.agbiome.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $34,500,000 Transaction Round Series B Proceeds Purposes Funding proceeds will further advance … Continue reading “AgBiome Obtains $34,500,000 Series B Funding Round”

Primal Space Systems Secures $3,000,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=5dfbb3f2-6c66-40ec-aaa9-de3cd1257864 Date 8/19/2015 Company Name Primal Space Systems Mailing Address 1017 Main Campus Drive Raleigh, NC 27606 USA Company Description Visionary technologies for interactive content delivery. Website http://www.primalspacesystems.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $3,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture Investor Undisclosed

FDA Approves Sprout Pharma’s Sexual Desire Drug—With Boxed Warning

Sprout Pharmaceuticals’ drug to treat low sexual desire in women secured regulatory approval late Tuesday, but the FDA’s nod comes with a strict monitoring program to guard against safety risks associated with the drug. The FDA notes that flibanserin (Addyi) can cause severe low blood pressure, as well as the loss of consciousness—risks that are … Continue reading “FDA Approves Sprout Pharma’s Sexual Desire Drug—With Boxed Warning”

100 Years But Only One Drug: Sickle Cell Patients Wait For Help

Last week, 100,000 Americans with sickle cell disease and millions more around the world got encouraging news. Investors gave a vote of confidence, in the form of a $120 million IPO, to Global Blood Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GBT]]), a four-year-old biotech working on a pill that could become the biggest medical advance ever for the disease. … Continue reading “100 Years But Only One Drug: Sickle Cell Patients Wait For Help”

Duke Spinoff Cloud Pharmaceuticals Names Two Executives to Team

Drug discovery and development firm Cloud Pharmaceuticals named two new executives to its management team. New CFO Lyle Lohmeyer’s experience includes financial management positions at AAIPharma, Qualia Networks, and Energy Conversion Systems Holdings. Don Van Dyke joins as Cloud Pharmaceuticals’ COO after previously working as a consultant to the company. Research Triangle Park, NC-based Cloud … Continue reading “Duke Spinoff Cloud Pharmaceuticals Names Two Executives to Team”