AgileNano, a San Diego startup that was conceived doing research on energy-absorbing nano-composites for use in bumpers, helmets and body armor, said today it got seed funding from the Tech Coast Angels. The technology is used to minimize blunt-force trauma injuries among military service men and women and to increase comfort and protection in sporting … Continue reading “Tech Coast Angels Fund Startup Developing Shock-Absorbing Nano Particles”
Category: San Diego
Torrey Pines Therapeutics Licenses Three Drugs to Cenomed
Torrey Pines Therapeutics said today that it has sold worldwide rights for three drug candidates to Cenomed Biosciences, a subsidiary of Abraxis Bioscience. Cenomed, based in Irvine, CA, will get rights to phenserine, Posiphen, and bisnorcymcerine for chemical defense and biodefense. La Jolla, CA-based Torrey Pines (NASDAQ: [[ticker:TPTX]]) stands to receive milestone and royalty payments … Continue reading “Torrey Pines Therapeutics Licenses Three Drugs to Cenomed”
Sequenom, Fueled by Blood Test for Down’s, Aims To Be “Google of Molecular Diagnostics”
Life is good at Sequenom these days. CEO Harry Stylli was so relaxed when I stopped by for an interview last week, he was practically lying down in one of the guest chairs in his office at one point while telling me the company’s story. San Diego-based Sequenom had its breakout moment on September 23. … Continue reading “Sequenom, Fueled by Blood Test for Down’s, Aims To Be “Google of Molecular Diagnostics””
Biochemistry Tool-Maker Roger Tsien Looks for the Pass Through the Mountains (Update: Tsien Wins Nobel Prize)
Updated, Oct. 8, 5 am PST: Roger Tsien was not only on the short list for the Nobel Prize in chemistry—he won it! See below for more details: Was it me, or did researchers’ heads whip around yesterday as I walked through Roger Tsien’s biochemistry laboratory at U.C. San Diego? If there was an atmosphere … Continue reading “Biochemistry Tool-Maker Roger Tsien Looks for the Pass Through the Mountains (Update: Tsien Wins Nobel Prize)”
AgileNano Garners $500,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=3964b190-187d-402f-93fa-ab914a163a20&Preview=1 Date 10/8/2008 Company Name AgileNano Mailing Address Undisclosed San Diego, CA 92120 Company Description AgileNano announces Agilezorb™, a revolutionary nanotechnology-based compressible energy absorbing liquid. Agilezorb is fundamentally different than foams and other competing technologies; absorbing energy on a near molecular scale instead of relying on the mechanical properties of solid materials. … Continue reading “AgileNano Garners $500,000 New Round”
U.S. Private Equity Firms On Pace For Record Fundraising Year through Q3: But Does Anyone Think It Will Last?
Last week I wrote a story about Highland Capital Partners’ all-out 20th anniversary bash here in Boston entitled, What Financial Crisis? The same title might be fitting for a piece about the data on private equity fundraising that was released today. Buoyed by a strong third quarter, private equity firms—including venture firms like Highland—are on … Continue reading “U.S. Private Equity Firms On Pace For Record Fundraising Year through Q3: But Does Anyone Think It Will Last?”
Vical Pandemic Flu Vaccine May Be Licensed to AnGes
Vical, a San Diego biotech company, said today it has signed a non-binding letter of intent to license its pandemic flu vaccine candidates in Japan to AnGes. Osaka, Japan-based AnGes will conduct due diligence on the program, and the companies plan to negotiate terms of a license, Vical said. The news is an “incremental positive” … Continue reading “Vical Pandemic Flu Vaccine May Be Licensed to AnGes”
Qualcomm Founder Irwin Jacobs Urges Entrepreneurs to “Keep Running Fast”
Irwin Jacobs is the chairman and founder of Qualcomm, the San Diego-based giant in digital wireless communications. With sales of more than $10 billion a year, Qualcomm now has a market valuation of roughly $66 billion—more than McDonald’s. Yet Jacobs, who will celebrate his 75th birthday later this month, seemed remarkably unpretentious for a wireless … Continue reading “Qualcomm Founder Irwin Jacobs Urges Entrepreneurs to “Keep Running Fast””
OVP, Enterprise Partners See Big Opportunity in $5,000 Human Genome Sequencing
It’s getting cheaper by the day to sequence the entire string of 6 billion chemical units of DNA that make up an individual human being. Yesterday, Complete Genomics of Mountain View, CA unveiled plans for what amounts to a democratization of genomics. It will offer a service to sequence full human genomes for just $5,000, … Continue reading “OVP, Enterprise Partners See Big Opportunity in $5,000 Human Genome Sequencing”
San Diego 92037
If it seems as if San Diego sprang to sudden prominence as a global capital for innovation, at least part of the explanation can be found atop the oceanside bluff known as Torrey Pines Mesa. This perch has one of the most prestigious zip codes in the world, 92037, used by the Burnham Institute for … Continue reading “San Diego 92037”
Xconomy Launches in San Diego—One of the World’s Great Innovation Clusters
Just over three months ago, Xconomy took its model of hyperlocal coverage of key innovation clusters—which we launched here in Boston in June 2007—to Seattle. This morning, I am pleased to announce, marks the official debut of Xconomy San Diego. The editor of Xconomy San Diego is Bruce Bigelow, an award-winning business and technology journalist … Continue reading “Xconomy Launches in San Diego—One of the World’s Great Innovation Clusters”
Tips from a Biotech Pioneer: Leroy Hood Reflects on His Career, and Offers Some Advice
I leave students (and even some of my colleagues) with several pieces of advice. First, I stress the importance of a good cross-disciplinary education. Ideally, I suggest a double major with the two fields being orthogonal-say, biology with computer science or applied physics. Some argue that there is insufficient time to learn two fields deeply … Continue reading “Tips from a Biotech Pioneer: Leroy Hood Reflects on His Career, and Offers Some Advice”
Amylin Resurrects Obesity Drug, in New Combination with Diabetes Drug Symlin
Leptin was hailed as a magic bullet for obesity based on rat studies in the 1990s, and then it failed miserably when Amgen took it into clinical trials. Now Amylin Pharmaceuticals thinks it has found a way to bring leptin back to life as a weight-loss drug, as part of a new combination with Symlin, … Continue reading “Amylin Resurrects Obesity Drug, in New Combination with Diabetes Drug Symlin”
Solar Power International 08
The world’s leading event for professionals interested in solar energy—including photovoltaics, concentrating photovoltaics, solar thermal electric and solar hot water—will feature more than 420 exhibitors and 65 conference sessions on the latest market, policy, finance and technology happenings in the industry. Information here, registration here.
Funding Your Campaign: Company Financing Alternatives in a Challenging Climate
The San Diego Venture Group hosts a morning session on how entrepreneurs can raise capital for their companies in a difficult economic environment. Panelists will include: Jim Caccavo, Managing Partner, Steelpoint Capital Partners Phil Chapman, CFO, Peregrine Semiconductor Kathy Conte, Managing Director, Hercules Tech Growth Capital Carl Eibl (moderator), Managing Director, Enterprise Partners Venture Capital … Continue reading “Funding Your Campaign: Company Financing Alternatives in a Challenging Climate”
Intro to Patents for Innovators
The Pillsbury Winthrop law firm is offering this four-hour class. It provides a basic overview of intellectual property law, with the emphasis on protecting innovative technology. It also covers the basic legal process for getting a patent. The event costs $45 if you pre-register and $55 at the door. Register here.
Qualcomm Offers Fuel Tracker
San Diego’s Qualcomm introduced a new fuel manager program yesterday as part of its truck fleet performance monitoring service. Qualcomm said the addition to its OmniVision Transportation software enables trucking fleet managers to identify patterns of unnecessary fuel use, such as speeding, idling and over-revving their engines.
Avaak Raises $7M
San Diego, CA-based Avaak, which is developing wireless mesh networking technology to offer Web-based video monitoring, has raised $7 million in venture funding. Avaak says the Series A financing, led by Trinity Ventures, will help launch its product early next year.
Isis Subsidiary Receives Grants, Contracts Worth $8.4 Million
Isis Pharmaceuticals said today that its diagnostic subsidiary, Ibis Biosciences, was awarded federal grants and contracts worth as much as $8.4 million. The Carlsbad, CA-based company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ISIS]]) said its subsidiary got the grants and contracts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Justice, and other agencies. The company is being asked to … Continue reading “Isis Subsidiary Receives Grants, Contracts Worth $8.4 Million”
Four Ways Amazon Could Make Kindle 2.0 a Best Seller
[Addendum, 10/4/08: Boy Genius Report has published pictures from a reader who obtained a Kindle 2. It’s unclear so far which, if any, of the features described in my article below, published 10/3, are included.] I wanted to love the Amazon Kindle. I’ve been a believer in the future of e-books ever since the late … Continue reading “Four Ways Amazon Could Make Kindle 2.0 a Best Seller”
MyShape, Inc. Garners New Financing
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=019d862d-d66c-40e9-8289-2bb9464a0fe6&Preview=1 Date 10/3/2008 Company Name MyShape, Inc. Mailing Address 225 South Lake Ave Pasadena, CA 91101 Company Description The company operates an online apparel retail shop. Website http://www.myshape.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount Undisclosed Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture Investor Lehman Brothers Venture … Continue reading “MyShape, Inc. Garners New Financing”
Savings.com Secures $4,000,000 Series B Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b7ded33e-6c78-43d9-b3d2-6d43de73e083&Preview=1 Date 10/3/2008 Company Name Savings.com Mailing Address 510 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Company Description Savings.com was founded in 2004. Designed out of frustration with the current state of shopping and discount retailers online, we have been determined from the outset to design and build a more comprehensive Internet destination … Continue reading “Savings.com Secures $4,000,000 Series B Funding”
Solekai Sells Boulder Lab
San Diego-based Solekai Systems Corp., an independent services firm specializing in digital video technology, is selling its Boulder engineering test lab. SocalTECH.com says the lab is being combined with assets from Vidiom Systems to form enableTV, with about 60 former Vidiom and Solekai employees joining the new company. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Military Orders Audio Devices
San Diego’s American Technology Corp. said today that U.S. military forces have placed additional orders totaling $400,000 for its Long Range Acoustic Device, or LRAD, for use at security checkpoints in Iraq. Unlike an ordinary loudspeaker, the LRAD emits a focused sound beam, which can carry warnings or instructions beyond 500 meters.
Intel’s Global Research Head, Andrew Chien, Sizes Up the State of West Coast Innovation
My last memory of Andrew Chien might be wrestling with him on the living room floor circa 1981. Growing up in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, his family and mine were friends. Chien grew up to be a professor of computer science at his hometown University of Illinois, then a professor of computer science and engineering at the … Continue reading “Intel’s Global Research Head, Andrew Chien, Sizes Up the State of West Coast Innovation”
Avaak, Inc. Garners $7,000,000 Series A Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=28ffec49-b2de-4d06-93e0-ea56b64de380&Preview=1 Date 10/2/2008 Company Name Avaak, Inc. 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 … Continue reading “Avaak, Inc. Garners $7,000,000 Series A Round”
Scripps, IAVI to Establish $30 Million AIDS Vaccine Research Center
The Scripps Research Institute, the La Jolla, CA-based nonprofit research center, said today it will establish, along with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, the world’s first research center devoted to studying neutralizing antibodies against HIV. The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative will invest $30 million over five years in the center at Scripps, to house teams … Continue reading “Scripps, IAVI to Establish $30 Million AIDS Vaccine Research Center”
UCSD Touts Its Economic Impact, Including 193 Companies and $37 Billion in Annual Spending and Personal Income
It’s a curious thing, when a major public research university commissions an independent study to assess its economic impact, especially when we’re talking about an individual school in the University of California system. In this case, the University of California, San Diego, hired a consulting firm in San Francisco to remind the public just how … Continue reading “UCSD Touts Its Economic Impact, Including 193 Companies and $37 Billion in Annual Spending and Personal Income”
Torrey Pines Therapeutics Permitted to Begin Phase III Trial of Migraine Drug
Torrey Pines Therapeutics said today that the FDA has agreed to let it conduct a final-stage clinical trial of tezempanel for acute migraine headaches. The pivotal trial will examine tezempanel at a 40 milligram and a lower dose, while also monitoring patients for any heart irregularities known as QT prolongation. The timing of the trial … Continue reading “Torrey Pines Therapeutics Permitted to Begin Phase III Trial of Migraine Drug”
Venture Exits Drop 66 Percent in Third Quarter: Sign of “Nuclear Winter?” To Come
When the tech boom of the 1990s began to evaporate at the end of the last millennium, a handful of VCs-turned-meteorologists predicted the climate was turning into a “nuclear winter” for many startup ventures. Well, it’s getting cold again. Exits by venture-backed companies nationwide declined 66 percent in the third quarter of 2008, according to … Continue reading “Venture Exits Drop 66 Percent in Third Quarter: Sign of “Nuclear Winter?” To Come”
Qualcomm Co-Founder, Andrew Viterbi, Wins National Medal of Science For Key Wireless Innovation
Wireless pioneer and UC San Diego professor emeritus Andrew Viterbi received a National Medal of Science from President Bush in a White House ceremony Monday, in part for work that later became known as “the Viterbi algorithm.” That might sound like a sequel to “The Bourne Ultimatum,” but the algorithm is actually used in virtually … Continue reading “Qualcomm Co-Founder, Andrew Viterbi, Wins National Medal of Science For Key Wireless Innovation”
What Does the Financial Crisis Mean for Innovation? Xconomists Weigh In
Yesterday was a dark day on Wall Street, and, according to many observers, a dark day for our political system. But what does the financial crisis mean for innovation, and what are the key things that investors, entrepreneurs, and big companies should do or not do during such an upheaval? Xconomy asked this question of … Continue reading “What Does the Financial Crisis Mean for Innovation? Xconomists Weigh In”
Wireless Info Tech Acquired by VanceInfo
San Diego-based Wireless Info Tech, a mobile testing and applications company, has agreed to be acquired by Beijing, China-based VanceInfo, an IT services provider and software development firm. The deal is worth $1.08 million in cash plus restricted stock. It is seen as a strategic move that could strengthen VanceInfo’s position in the U.S. mobile … Continue reading “Wireless Info Tech Acquired by VanceInfo”
2008 IEEE International Conference on Image Processing
The International Conference on Image Processing (ICIP), sponsored by the IEEE Signal Processing Society, is the premier forum for the presentation of technological advances and research results in the fields of theoretical, experimental, and applied image and video processing. ICIP-2008, the 15th in a series held annually since 1994, will bring together leading engineers and … Continue reading “2008 IEEE International Conference on Image Processing”
MIT Enterprise Forum of San Diego: NetSapiens and VoIP
MIT Enterprise Forum hosts its October feature event on NetSapiens, a startup in the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service provider market. NetSapiens will discuss its strategy. The event is free to members; $40 advance and $50 at the door for non-members. To register, click here.
$20M for Verimatrix
Verimatrix, a San Diego-based maker of security software for Internet-delivered pay TV, said today that it has obtained $20 million in Series C venture funding from JK&B Capital, Goldman Sachs, and SunAmerica Ventures. The company said the investment round would help it accelerate deployment of its software to hybrid cable/satellite networks in markets around the … Continue reading “$20M for Verimatrix”
Aethlon Medical Starts First Trial of Device Against HIV
San Diego-based Aethlon Medical (OTCBB: [[ticker:AETH]]) said today it has begun the first clinical trial of a medical device to treat HIV. The device, called Aethlon Hemopurifier, filters viruses and immune-suppressing proteins, in order to help the immune system fight HIV. The trial, of six patients, is being conducted in India.
Genzyme Thinks Small, and Big, With Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Mipomersen
Genzyme has built an empire by thinking small—treating diseases that affect tiny groups of patients. Now it’s seeking to capitalize on a cholesterol-lowering drug that requires it to think small and big at the same time. The Cambridge, MA-based biotech company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GENZ]]) is starting to show how it intends to make mipomersen into a … Continue reading “Genzyme Thinks Small, and Big, With Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Mipomersen”
Veramatrix Secures $20,000,000 Series C Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=79cb17ca-6b56-4e01-8faa-f351f31a5b86&Preview=1 Date 9/29/2008 Company Name Veramatrix Mailing Address 6825 Flanders Dr San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description Verimatrix designed its Video Content Authority System (VCAS) from the ground up for two-way and hybrid networks, incorporating pioneering security features that provide the broadest security perimeter of any content security and revenue enhancement system. … Continue reading “Veramatrix Secures $20,000,000 Series C Financing Round”
NextWave Stops Go
NextWave Wireless (NASDAQ: [[ticker:WAVE]]), a San Diego company that makes embedded multimedia software for mobile devices, said this week that it’s shutting down Israeli Wi-Fi equipment subsidiary Go Networks as part of a global cost-cutting effort. Earlier in the month, NextWave arranged $100 million in new debt financing and announced a series of cash-conservation moves, … Continue reading “NextWave Stops Go”
Boston Unblurred: Debunking the Google Maps Censorship Myth
Having written an appreciative column a few weeks ago about the endangered Pacific Northwest tree octopus, a tongue-in-cheek hoax site, I am not about to denounce the Internet as a cesspool of misinformation. But I’m still puzzled by the way certain salacious memes persist on the Internet, even though they’re easily disproved—for example, the myth … Continue reading “Boston Unblurred: Debunking the Google Maps Censorship Myth”
As Facebook Redefines the Social Web, Platform Manager Dave Morin Talks About the Coolest Facebook Apps From Boston and Seattle
It’s September in Boston, and that can only mean one thing—conferences, conferences, conferences. Xconomy’s own life sciences event was on Tuesday, and I spent most of the day yesterday at EmTech 08, the big annual tech-fest put on by MIT’s Technology Review magazine. One highlight was a lively panel led by Robert Scoble, renowned technology … Continue reading “As Facebook Redefines the Social Web, Platform Manager Dave Morin Talks About the Coolest Facebook Apps From Boston and Seattle”
Transaction Wireless, Inc. Receives $2,250,000 Series A Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=b4574f26-81b8-41f8-8bd2-a1ce1001ba08&Preview=1 Date 9/25/2008 Company Name Transaction Wireless, Inc. Mailing Address 9645 Scranton Road San Diego, CA 92121 Company Description Transaction Wireless is dedicated to providing cutting-edge wireless payment solutions. As in many other sectors, the payment industry is increasingly turning to wireless technologies as a means of offering new advantages to financial … Continue reading “Transaction Wireless, Inc. Receives $2,250,000 Series A Financing Round”
Cramster.com Obtains $3,000,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c2b04106-4122-4365-8a61-87a43e00cda6&Preview=1 Date 9/25/2008 Company Name Cramster.com Mailing Address 65 N. Raymond Ave Pasadena, CA 91103 Company Description Cramster is a global study community comprised of students and teachers helping each other understand how to solve problems for mathematically-based subjects (e.g. Physics, Calculus, Stats, Chemistry, ME, EE, CS, etc). Cramster provides access to … Continue reading “Cramster.com Obtains $3,000,000 Series A Funding”
Pentadyne Power Corp. Receives $22,000,000 New Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=01d8ff16-10e1-437d-aa4c-a354b196fcb9&Preview=1 Date 9/23/2008 Company Name Pentadyne Power Corp. Mailing Address 20750 Lassen Street Chatsworth, CA 91311- 450 Company Description Pentadyne Power Corporation designs, manufactures and markets advanced flywheel power systems that provide ride-through power and voltage stabilization for power quality and power recycling applications. Website http://www.pentadyne.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Pentadyne Power Corp. Receives $22,000,000 New Financing Round”
Daylight Solutions, Inc. Secures $5,000,000 Series B Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d41ea222-1601-4419-8fd5-399d37bbe8b7&Preview=1 Date 9/22/2008 Company Name Daylight Solutions, Inc. Mailing Address 13029 Danielson Street Poway, CA 92064 Company Description Daylight Solutions is a manufacturer of advanced molecular detection and imaging instruments. The company’s core technology provides significant advancement in the fields of medical diagnostics, homeland security, military applications and industrial/environmental monitoring. Website http://www.daylightsolutions.net … Continue reading “Daylight Solutions, Inc. Secures $5,000,000 Series B Funding Round”
Hollywood Interactive Group Inc. Lands $5,000,000 Series A Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=73a2ccf0-27c7-4c24-81c9-2c93f8c63fca&Preview=1 Date 9/18/2008 Company Name Hollywood Interactive Group Inc. Mailing Address Undisclosed Hollywood, CA 90020 Company Description MyHollywood.com is a women’s web destination for celebrity and entertainment news, casual games, fashion and community. Website http://www.MyHollywood.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,000,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes This funding will be … Continue reading “Hollywood Interactive Group Inc. Lands $5,000,000 Series A Funding Round”
NanoH20 Garners $15,050,000 Series B Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=fdf1ff83-7ac5-4bd2-9b61-3d0615a65e44&Preview=1 Date 9/18/2008 Company Name NanoH20 Mailing Address Undisclosed Santa Monica, CA 90044 Company Description PharmaTropic is dedicated in the pursuit of your health and quality of life. All of our products have been researched, designed and tested using the highest quality materials as well as the latest technologies available today in … Continue reading “NanoH20 Garners $15,050,000 Series B Funding”
Hollywood Interactive Group Inc. Receives $5,000,000 Series A Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=73a2ccf0-27c7-4c24-81c9-2c93f8c63fca&Preview=1 Date 9/18/2008 Company Name Hollywood Interactive Group Inc. Mailing Address Undisclosed Hollywood, CA 90020 Company Description MyHollywood.com is a women’s web destination for celebrity and entertainment news, casual games, fashion and community. Website http://www.MyHollywood.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $5,000,000 Transaction Round Series A Proceeds Purposes This funding will be … Continue reading “Hollywood Interactive Group Inc. Receives $5,000,000 Series A Round”
NanoH20 Secures $15,050,000 Series B Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=fdf1ff83-7ac5-4bd2-9b61-3d0615a65e44&Preview=1 Date 9/18/2008 Company Name NanoH20 Mailing Address Undisclosed Santa Monica, CA 90044 Company Description PharmaTropic is dedicated in the pursuit of your health and quality of life. All of our products have been researched, designed and tested using the highest quality materials as well as the latest technologies available today in … Continue reading “NanoH20 Secures $15,050,000 Series B Round”