Somaxon Pharmaceuticals overcame two regulatory delays to win FDA approval to market its insomnia drug doxepin (Silenor). Now comes the hard part. San Diego-based Somaxon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SOMX]]) is entering a prescription sleeping pill market in which name-brand products have been steadily losing ground to the lower-cost generics preferred by managed care plans. So right out … Continue reading “San Diego’s Somaxon Readies to Wake Up Market for New Sleeping Pill”
Category: San Diego
MaxLinear Scores Successful IPO, $321M V-Vehicle Loan Request Rejected, Genomatica Raises $15M in VC Funding, & More San Diego BizTech News
It’s been a while since San Diego’s high-tech community saw this much deal news in one week—and most of it was good news, too. We gathered it all in one place for you here. —Investor demand helped boost Carlsbad, CA-based MaxLinear’s shares (NYSE:[[ticker:MXL]]) by 33 percent on their first day of trading, with volume of … Continue reading “MaxLinear Scores Successful IPO, $321M V-Vehicle Loan Request Rejected, Genomatica Raises $15M in VC Funding, & More San Diego BizTech News”
Smish Lands $2,000,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=aa8abaf4-04c8-4937-9a8f-4bec941c66d4&Preview=1 Date 3/29/2010 Company Name Smish Mailing Address 65 Enterprise Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 Company Description Smish is a verb that means to compress, simplify or squeeze many things into one. To experience compact bliss. Smish is a free download that takes the gazillion apps that are coming to your computer, along … Continue reading “Smish Lands $2,000,000 New Funding Round”
Fulcrum Microsystems Receives $15,000,000 Series F Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=baeac09c-3132-430d-9517-c60c3af6bab2&Preview=1 Date 3/29/2010 Company Name Fulcrum Microsystems Mailing Address 26630 Agoura Road Calabasas, CA 91302 Company Description Fulcrum Microsystems Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company. The company pioneered the market for low-latency component interconnects, and is focused on leveraging its innovative clockless semiconductor design technology to field a complete line of standards-based … Continue reading “Fulcrum Microsystems Receives $15,000,000 Series F Financing Round”
Heavy-Duty Hybrid-Electric Drive Maker Discloses its IPO—In Canada
Oops. In a debut that was largely overlooked by market watchers in San Diego and elsewhere, heavy-duty hybrid-electric drive systems maker ISE Corp. has announced its successful IPO last month on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol ISE. The company, based in suburban Poway, CA, says its initial public offering of 3.45 … Continue reading “Heavy-Duty Hybrid-Electric Drive Maker Discloses its IPO—In Canada”
The Active Network Stops for Overhaul Following a Decade of Acquisitions
About as far back as I can remember, The Active Network usually has made at least one acquisition by this time of year. But it’s been a silent spring over at Active HQ in San Diego’s Sorrento Valley, where the venture-backed company develops software that customers use to manage recreational sports events, including online registration, … Continue reading “The Active Network Stops for Overhaul Following a Decade of Acquisitions”
Technology Transfer and the Life Sciences: Current Practice and Looking to the Future
What role will technology transfer play in the commercialization of the next generation of life sciences products? Biocom has asked a panel of leading experts to discuss common barriers to commercialization in the life sciences industry, determine how we can overcome those barriers and what impact technology transfer will have on the future of the … Continue reading “Technology Transfer and the Life Sciences: Current Practice and Looking to the Future”
Opportunities in Developing Ocean-Based Infrastructure
With expertise in marine engineering and shipbuilding, academic resources, testing facilities, access to open oceans, and a vibrant marine technology cluster, San Diego has a unique opportunity to lead the nation in developing very large floating platforms, (VLFPs). The Maritime Alliance has organized this half-day meeting to focus on the technologies that exist and would … Continue reading “Opportunities in Developing Ocean-Based Infrastructure”
Come For the Canapes, Stay For the Founder Institute
New and experienced entrepreneurs, future founders, and all those passionate about startups are invited to learn about the Founder Institute at an open community session. The Founder Institute helps new entrepreneurs launch the next generation of technology companies. The startup incubator and training program is accepting applications for a second class, which is scheduled to … Continue reading “Come For the Canapes, Stay For the Founder Institute”
When Good Doctors Make Bad Decisions—The View from the Jury Box
On March 2, I reported to Suffolk County Superior Court for jury duty, certain that I’d be let go after my day of service or excused, just like every other time. So it was a bit of a shock to find myself seated, by the end of the day, as Juror No. 14 on a … Continue reading “When Good Doctors Make Bad Decisions—The View from the Jury Box”
Cyntellect Raises $3 Million
Cyntellect, a San Diego-based company working on technologies to analyze, purify and process cells, raised $3 million from the sale of debt, equity and options or warrants, according to an SEC filing. The company announced last November it had raised $15.5 million. Early investors in the 13-year-old company include Bru II Venture Capital Fund, Iceland … Continue reading “Cyntellect Raises $3 Million”
Startup Automaker V-Vehicle Hits Roadblock After Government Rejects $321M Loan Request
Plans by the famed Kleiner Perkins VC firm, Google, T. Boone Pickens, and other investors to launch a new automaker are now hanging by a thread. The Department of Energy has rebuffed San Diego-based V-Vehicle’s request for more than $321 million in loans—throwing into jeopardy the automaker’s ambitious plans to build an “environmentally friendly” car. … Continue reading “Startup Automaker V-Vehicle Hits Roadblock After Government Rejects $321M Loan Request”
What’s Next in CleanTech Ventures
With CleanTech investments accounting for 25 percent of all venture capital invested in 2009, leading VCs and cleantech executives identify trends in the industry, and discuss potential winners and losers. Registration begins at 7 a.m., or find more information and register online here.
KidZui Caps Significant Progress in Difficult Year with $4M in Fresh Funding
KidZui’s founding chairman and CEO Cliff Boro called me from the airport last night to confirm recent reports saying that the San Diego startup, which has been developing a kid-friendly Internet browser, has raised $4 million in additional venture funding. The four-year-old startup launched its KidZui browser (which is a Firefox add-on) in 2008, and … Continue reading “KidZui Caps Significant Progress in Difficult Year with $4M in Fresh Funding”
SDL Round Table
Learn how to mesh the challenges of globalization and localization, at this event put on by the global information management software provider, SDL. Members from global life sciences and software companies will be in attendance. Reserve your spot here.
Genomatica Raises $15M to Build Demo Plant For Sustainable Chemical Production
We’ve been waiting for this one since last summer. San Diego-based Genomatica is announcing today it has raised $15 million in a Series C venture round led by a new investor, TPG Biotech, to build a demonstration plant to make a common industrial chemical through a renewable technique, and to develop a bigger pipeline of … Continue reading “Genomatica Raises $15M to Build Demo Plant For Sustainable Chemical Production”
FDA Approves Somaxon Insomnia Pill, Torrey Pines Investment Raises Funds, Innovation Economy Shows Signs of Life, & More San Diego Life Sciences News
Regulatory and funding headlines dominated a light week. It’s summarized for you here. —Torrey Pines Investment raised $30 million for a second venture fund that aims to raise a total of $150 million. The money will be used to finance acquisitions and development or co-development of drug candidates from pharmaceutical or biotech companies. —Connect, a … Continue reading “FDA Approves Somaxon Insomnia Pill, Torrey Pines Investment Raises Funds, Innovation Economy Shows Signs of Life, & More San Diego Life Sciences News”
Genomatica Secures $15,000,000 Series C Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=73fba2c5-8545-4aa1-a90e-8606ad791934&Preview=1 Date 3/25/2010 Company Name Genomatica Mailing Address 10520 Wateridge Circle San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description Genomatica is a San Diego-based chemical company that, through biotechnology, develops and commercializes innovative bio-manufacturing processes for the sustainable production of high value chemical products. Website http://www.genomatica.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $15,000,000 Transaction … Continue reading “Genomatica Secures $15,000,000 Series C Funding Round”
The Trade Desk Lands $2,500,000 New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=a42242d7-eaa0-49bc-b265-861493801300&Preview=1 Date 3/25/2010 Company Name The Trade Desk Mailing Address 505 East Poli Street Ventura, CA 93003 Company Description From the pioneers of the ad exchange and experts from all facets of online advertising—display, search, mobile, ad serving, data protection, and data monetization—The Trade Desk has emerged to change the course of … Continue reading “The Trade Desk Lands $2,500,000 New Financing”
First-Day Trading Lifts MaxLinear Shares 33 Percent Above IPO Price
Eager investors boosted the stock of Carlsbad, CA-based MaxLinear (NYSE: [[ticker:MXL]]) by more than 33 percent today in the company’s debut, with shares closing at $18.70 in first day of trading of nearly 6.9 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Last night, MaxLinear’s IPO underwriters increased the offering to 6.4 million shares (from … Continue reading “First-Day Trading Lifts MaxLinear Shares 33 Percent Above IPO Price”
San Diego’s Xpenser Touts Free Web and Mobile-Based Expense Tracking
At the end of his presentation late yesterday at the DEMO Spring 2010 conference in Palm Desert, CA, Parand Tony Darugar said that when he returns to San Diego following the three-day event, “I will have no receipts in my wallet, and I won’t have to do an expense report.” That’s because he uses Xpenser, … Continue reading “San Diego’s Xpenser Touts Free Web and Mobile-Based Expense Tracking”
Facing Job Exodus, San Diego IT Execs Launch Council on Globalization and Competitiveness
IT executives from some of San Diego’s better-known employers, including Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Sony Electronics, and Broadcom are banding together to find new ways to retain local IT jobs and to counter the effects of foreign outsourcing. The formation of a new regional business group, the San Diego-based Industry Council for Competitiveness and Globalization (ICCG), comes … Continue reading “Facing Job Exodus, San Diego IT Execs Launch Council on Globalization and Competitiveness”
Healthcare Reform Gave Biotech Everything It Wanted, and More
And so we embark on a new era of healthcare—one that may take many years to fully reach its potential for good or ill. But there are two small bits in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that are immediately relevant and timely for the biotechnology industry. One provides tax breaks for smaller biotechnology … Continue reading “Healthcare Reform Gave Biotech Everything It Wanted, and More”
MaxLinear IPO Prices Stock Above Range at $14 a Share
What began as a modest IPO for Carlsbad, CA-based chipmaker MaxLinear appears to be heating up. In a statement released tonight that MaxLinear increased its initial offering to 6.4 million shares at $14 a share—from 5.4 million shares at a range of $11 to $13 a share. The new stock offering is one of six … Continue reading “MaxLinear IPO Prices Stock Above Range at $14 a Share”
Torrey Pines Investment Raises $30 Million Toward $150M Target For Next Fund
Torrey Pines Investment, a San Diego life sciences investment firm with close ties in Russia, has raised $30 million for a second venture fund that is targeting $150 million. Nicolay Savchuk, a Russian-born mathematician and Torrey Pines director, was traveling yesterday and said he was not available to comment on the fund-raising effort, which was … Continue reading “Torrey Pines Investment Raises $30 Million Toward $150M Target For Next Fund”
Designing for Sixth Sigma and Lean Sixth Sigma in a Globalized Economy
TechAmerica has organized this event on what local companies are doing to improve their new product development processes to succeed in the intense competition of the global economy. Speakers will share some best practices that make product transfer from engineering to manufacturing successful in San Diego. Registration and continental breakfast begins at 7 a.m. Online … Continue reading “Designing for Sixth Sigma and Lean Sixth Sigma in a Globalized Economy”
So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?
TiE San Diego is presenting an evening with Ashok Rao, a serial entrepreneur with four successful high technology startups. He uses his varied experiences—both entrepreneurial and corporate—to tell us about the trials and tribulations of being an entrepreneur. Rao also is an accomplished story-teller and filmmaker. He is currently the CEO of Excalibur Pictures and … Continue reading “So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?”
Dodd Bill Could Render Startups Too Small to Succeed
Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn) recently introduced sweeping legislation that aims to rein in the excesses that led large financial institutions to become “too big to fail.” Somewhat ironically, it also has the potential, as one commentator put it, to make startups “too small to succeed.” In the rush to prevent future problems, we risk taking … Continue reading “Dodd Bill Could Render Startups Too Small to Succeed”
Calling All Carriers: Mobile Software Startups Question Relevance of CTIA Wireless Expo
The mobile technology extravaganza known as the International CTIA Wireless Conference starts today in Las Vegas. Many thousands will attend. Keynotes will be given by such luminaries as Dan Hesse, the CEO of Sprint Nextel; John Stanton of Western Wireless and McCaw Cellular fame (also former CEO of T-Mobile USA); Randall Stephenson, the CEO of … Continue reading “Calling All Carriers: Mobile Software Startups Question Relevance of CTIA Wireless Expo”
Kidzui Garners $4,000,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=2e7ea9b3-a8fa-45c6-aef0-ad3573b1700c&Preview=1 Date 3/23/2010 Company Name Kidzui Mailing Address 2448 Historic Decatur Rd San Diego, CA 92106 Company Description The company is developing software that lets children harness info from the internet. Website http://www.kidzui.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $4,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms … Continue reading “Kidzui Garners $4,000,000 New Round”
Avaak Raises $10M to Expand Market for Wireless Video Monitor
Avaak, the San Diego startup that specializes in ultra low-power wireless video networking technology, says today it has raised $10 million in a Series B round of venture funding led by Qualcomm Ventures, the San Diego chipmaker’s strategic investment arm. Existing investors Trinity Ventures, InterWest Partners, and Leapfrog Ventures joined in the round. The three … Continue reading “Avaak Raises $10M to Expand Market for Wireless Video Monitor”
Searching For Signs of a Comeback in San Diego’s Innovation Economy
San Diego’s innovation economy obviously imploded last year—dragged down by general economic conditions that were hammered by the collapse in Southern California real estate, the breakdown of the capital markets, and a decline in tourism. Now there are signs that things are stabilizing, and might even be gradually improving, according to several reports released last … Continue reading “Searching For Signs of a Comeback in San Diego’s Innovation Economy”
MaxLinear Ready for IPO, Lindbergh Grandson Announces Electric Aircraft Prize, EMN8 Raises $14.4M, & More San Diego BizTech News
We had an interesting mix of high-tech news last week, as several efforts to raise capital took shape, and famed aviator Charles Lindbergh’s grandson announced an electrifying new incentive prize. Read on to learn what it’s all about. —Carlsbad, CA-based chipmaker MaxLinear is expected to go public this week. The company, which specializes in designing … Continue reading “MaxLinear Ready for IPO, Lindbergh Grandson Announces Electric Aircraft Prize, EMN8 Raises $14.4M, & More San Diego BizTech News”
Avaak Receives $10,000,000 Series B Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1b144fdc-b1a2-4aee-8b44-3365b54e379f&Preview=1 Date 3/22/2010 Company Name Avaak Mailing Address 9645 Scranton Road San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description Our goal is to be the world leader in the market for intelligent ad-hoc video networks that are completely un-tethered to (or unconstrained by) existing power, network and carrier infrastructures. Website http://www.avaak.com Transaction Type Venture … Continue reading “Avaak Receives $10,000,000 Series B Financing Round”
CIO Agenda: Delivering in Changing Times
Gain new insights from top CIO leaders and Barbara Gomoloski, managing vice president of Gartner research consultants. Hear about the challenges and opportunities facing Enterprise IT leaders, and their strategies for success. Learn what vendors and technologies are winning, and which ones are being left behind. Registration begins at 7 a.m., or register online here.
Biotech Demystified: UCSD Offers Science Basics For Industry Leaders
U.C. San Diego’s Rady School of Management, the division of Biological Sciences, and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences are offering their seventh annual program for executives and decision-makers gain a practical understanding the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Classes are held at the Rady School. Online information and registration is here.
Technology Transfer in Life Sciences: Current Practices and the Future
What role will technology transfer play in the commercialization of the next generation of life sciences products? Biocom has asked Genetic Engineering News Editor-in-Chief John Sterling to moderate as leading experts discuss common barriers to commercialization in the life sciences industry, determine how we can overcome those barriers and what impact technology transfer will have … Continue reading “Technology Transfer in Life Sciences: Current Practices and the Future”
Lindbergh Grandson Launches Incentive Prizes for Advances in Electric Aircraft and Green Aviation
As paragliders and hang gliders swooped overhead, the grandson of famed aviator Charles “Lucky Lindy” Lindbergh chose a stunning panoramic San Diego clifftop to announce the formation of a new incentive prize to recognize advancements in electric aircraft technology. Seattle-area resident Erik Lindbergh says the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize, or LEAP, is intended to stimulate … Continue reading “Lindbergh Grandson Launches Incentive Prizes for Advances in Electric Aircraft and Green Aviation”
Fabless Chipmaker MaxLinear Prepares for Next Week’s Modest IPO
Little did I know when I canceled an interview in September with MaxLinear CEO Kishore Seendripu that my journalistic window of opportunity would irrevocably close—and it probably won’t crack open again until some Grizzly Adams wins the jackpot in this year’s Nenana River Ice Classic. Needless to say, MaxLinear deflected my subsequent attempts to reschedule … Continue reading “Fabless Chipmaker MaxLinear Prepares for Next Week’s Modest IPO”
Why I’ve Abandoned Quicken, But Not Intuit
Somebody at Intuit must have seen the writing on the wall. Last September, the Mountain View, CA, software company, which has been selling PC-based personal finance programs since 1983 via floppy discs, CD-ROMs, and downloads, paid $170 million to buy a two-year-old Web startup called Mint.com. If you believe, as I do, that almost everyone … Continue reading “Why I’ve Abandoned Quicken, But Not Intuit”
Startup Elcelyx Raises $1.2 Million
Elcelyx Therapeutics of San Diego has raised $1.2 million of a planned $2.2 million equity offering, according to an SEC filing. The document says the company’s president is Alain D. Baron, entrepreneur in residence at Morgenthaler Ventures in Menlo Park. Morgenthaler partner Ralph “Chris” Christofferson is an Elcelyx board member, according to the filing.
Somaxon Shares Boom on FDA Approval for Insomnia Drug
After three tries, Somaxon Pharmaceuticals has won FDA approval for its insomnia drug. The San Diego-based biotech company said today it has gotten clearance to start selling doxepin (Silenor) in the U.S. for patients with short term and chronic insomnia. The news sent shares of the company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SOMX]]) up by 60 percent to $6.20 … Continue reading “Somaxon Shares Boom on FDA Approval for Insomnia Drug”
Founding CEO Tina “Super” Nova Keeps Genoptix On a Roll
It must be nice to be the CEO of a life sciences company that sells itself. When Tina Nova stepped up to the microphone at the Roth Capital Partners Growth Stock Conference in Laguna Niguel, CA, yesterday, the Genoptix CEO was playing to a nearly full house. Investors and analysts occupied all but two or … Continue reading “Founding CEO Tina “Super” Nova Keeps Genoptix On a Roll”
Sequenom Speaks Out, Amylin Receives a Setback, Somaxon Awaits FDA Decision, & More San Diego Life Sciences News
Regulatory news dominated the headlines in the past week. We have it summarized for you here. —Sequenom (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SQMN]]) said a lack of adequate controls, protocols and supervision were to blame for the mishandled data that led the company to scrub its launch of a diagnostic test for Down syndrome. Sequenom shares lost 76 percent … Continue reading “Sequenom Speaks Out, Amylin Receives a Setback, Somaxon Awaits FDA Decision, & More San Diego Life Sciences News”
Elcelyx Therapeutics Garners $1,200,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0b52c86e-a436-4649-be61-769ea6f6129c&Preview=1 Date 3/18/2010 Company Name Elcelyx Therapeutics Mailing Address 12730 High Bluff Dr San Diego, CA 92130 Company Description Elcelyx Therapeutics of San Diego is a stealth mode diabetes related biotechnology company. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $1,200,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A … Continue reading “Elcelyx Therapeutics Garners $1,200,000 New Funding Round”
Plastic Jungle Receives $7,400,000 Series B Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=9fdfbee2-6f52-4633-8957-7a024455e52d&Preview=1 Date 3/18/2010 Company Name Plastic Jungle Mailing Address 2491 Alluvial Ave Clovis, CA 93611 Company Description Plastic Jungle is the leading Web site for gift card exchanges — whether you want to buy gift cards at substantial savings, sell them for cash, or trade pre-owned gift cards with others, www.plasticjungle.com offers … Continue reading “Plastic Jungle Receives $7,400,000 Series B Financing Round”
San Diego’s Sequenom Steps Back Into the Spotlight, Sort Of
San Diego-based Sequenom (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SQNM]]) is entering a critical phase in its management of the corporate crisis that erupted in its laboratories last year. It’s stepping back into the spotlight. As a public company, Sequenom doesn’t have much choice. The maker of genetic diagnostic equipment and supplies says in its latest annual report that as … Continue reading “San Diego’s Sequenom Steps Back Into the Spotlight, Sort Of”
Somaxon Eagerly Awaits (Another) FDA Ruling on Insomnia Drug
[Updated: 11:45 am Eastern, 3/17/10] Who was it that once said ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again?’ This Friday, San Diego-based Somaxon expects find out from the FDA whether its persistence has paid off, and whether its insomnia drug is finally ready to be cleared for sale on the U.S. market. The … Continue reading “Somaxon Eagerly Awaits (Another) FDA Ruling on Insomnia Drug”
San Diego’s EMN8 Raises $14.4M For Self-Service Sales Kiosks
San Diego-based EMN8, which develops self-service, touchscreen displays and systems for use in fast-food restaurants, theaters, theme parks, and other retailers, has ordered up more than $14.4 million in venture funding, according to a recent filing with government regulators. The venture-backed company says it has raised all but $179,550 of a secondary round that began … Continue reading “San Diego’s EMN8 Raises $14.4M For Self-Service Sales Kiosks”
Ventana Capital’s Tom Gephart Seeks $5 Billion (With a “B”) from Feds to Support VCs
You could say Tom Gephart is “old school” venture capital, which means he started investing in the 1970s when there were no rules. So maybe it shouldn’t seem too surprising when he says he’s working on a proposal to secure $5 billion in federal economic stimulus funding that would be invested in startup companies throughout … Continue reading “Ventana Capital’s Tom Gephart Seeks $5 Billion (With a “B”) from Feds to Support VCs”