Category: Seattle

AdReady CEO and Former aQuantive Exec Karl Siebrecht on His Big New Opportunity

AdReady is one of those startups that everyone talks about but no one really understands. At least not most lay readers, whose eyes glaze over once they get past the words “online advertising.” I can’t really blame them. After all, can most people explain why Seattle online ad firm and local success story aQuantive was … Continue reading “AdReady CEO and Former aQuantive Exec Karl Siebrecht on His Big New Opportunity”

Dendreon Raises $356 Million for Manufacturing, Marketing of Prostate Cancer Drug

Dendreon has just nailed down one of the biggest biotech financings in the U.S. this year. The Seattle-based biotech company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DNDN]]) has secured $356 million for its quest to market the first treatment in the U.S. designed to actively stimulate the immune system to fight cancer cells like a virus. The company sold 15 … Continue reading “Dendreon Raises $356 Million for Manufacturing, Marketing of Prostate Cancer Drug”

Gilead Cystic Fibrosis Drug Gets Green Light From FDA Panel

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]) has had a tough time branching out into treatment of cystic fibrosis, but today it got some good news. The Foster City, CA-based biotech giant, which has a lung disease research center in Seattle, said today that a panel of expert advisers to the FDA has recommended that the company’s inhalable … Continue reading “Gilead Cystic Fibrosis Drug Gets Green Light From FDA Panel”

Microsoft to Buy Sentillion, Looks to Strengthen Efforts in Electronic Medical Records

Let the healthcare-IT acquisitions begin. Microsoft announced today it plans to buy Sentillion, a healthcare software company based in Andover, MA. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition is expected to close early next year. Microsoft says it plans to incorporate Sentillion’s technology into the Microsoft Amalga Unified Intelligence System that’s supposed … Continue reading “Microsoft to Buy Sentillion, Looks to Strengthen Efforts in Electronic Medical Records”

GoodData, Bizo Among AWS Winners

Amazon Web Services announced today that the winner of its third annual AWS Start-up Challenge is GoodData, a business intelligence and analytics firm based in San Francisco. The company was awarded $50,000 in cash, $50,000 in AWS credits, and an investment offer from Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]). The runner-up was Bizo, a San Francisco-based online audience … Continue reading “GoodData, Bizo Among AWS Winners”

Life Science Innovation Northwest 2010

Life Science Innovation Northwest will bring public and private life sciences companies, research institutions, scientists, entrepreneurs, and the Washington global health community together to tell their stories. Public and private market investors, investment bankers and industry executives focused on investment and business development and partnering opportunities in life sciences will also be there. For more … Continue reading “Life Science Innovation Northwest 2010”

Oncothyreon Partner Starts New Lung Cancer Trial, Prompts Takeover Scuttle

Seattle-based Oncothyreon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ONTY]]), the developer of a vaccine treatment to stimulate the immune system against cancer cells, said today that its partner has started another pivotal trial of the product. Germany-based Merck KGaA has begun a trial that will include 420 patients in Asia who will get the vaccine, dubbed Stimuvax, or a placebo … Continue reading “Oncothyreon Partner Starts New Lung Cancer Trial, Prompts Takeover Scuttle”

Dendreon Hires COO From Bayer

[Update: 11:35 am Eastern, 12/10/09] Dendreon, the Seattle-based company developing a treatment to stimulate the immune system against prostate cancer,  said today it has hired Hans Bishop as its chief operating officer. Bishop had previously been president of the specialty medicine division at Bayer Healthcare, where he oversaw cancer, neurology, and hematology products. He has … Continue reading “Dendreon Hires COO From Bayer”

Microsoft Inks NetApp Partnership in Virtualization, Forms New Server and Cloud Division for Azure

It has been a busy week for Microsoft in cloud computing and virtualization. For starters, the Redmond, WA-based company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MSFT]]) announced on Tuesday a three-year strategic alliance with data storage firm NetApp to collaborate on products and technical integration in virtualization, storage and data management, and cloud computing and hosted services. Financial terms of … Continue reading “Microsoft Inks NetApp Partnership in Virtualization, Forms New Server and Cloud Division for Azure”

Dendreon Grasps for $400M, ZymoGenetics Cuts 52 Jobs, Calistoga Advances at ASH, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News

I groused last week that Seattle biotech news was slow, so naturally, this week I got swamped. —Seattle-based Dendreon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DNDN]]), the developer of a first-of-its-kind treatment to stimulate the immune system against cancer, is seeking to raise more than $400 million in a stock offering. The company plans to use the loot to build … Continue reading “Dendreon Grasps for $400M, ZymoGenetics Cuts 52 Jobs, Calistoga Advances at ASH, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News”

Windows on the Cloud: Windows Azure Basics from Microsoft’s Yousef Khalidi

Xconomy’s Cloud3 Forum gets underway this morning at Microsoft’s New England R&D Center in Cambridge, MA, so I thought it would be a great time to write up my recent Q&A with Yousef Khalidi, a distinguished engineer in Microsoft’s Windows Azure team in Redmond, WA. Azure is Microsoft’s public cloud platform. Announced as a free … Continue reading “Windows on the Cloud: Windows Azure Basics from Microsoft’s Yousef Khalidi”

Gov. Gregoire’s Budget Axe Leaves Life Sciences Discovery Fund Unscathed

Washington state’s Life Sciences Discovery Fund has apparently survived the first round of major budget cuts circulating in Olympia. Gov. Chris Gregoire released her proposed state budget this morning that makes deep cuts in aid to college students, state health insurance for poor people, and assistance to the disabled. But based on an initial read … Continue reading “Gov. Gregoire’s Budget Axe Leaves Life Sciences Discovery Fund Unscathed”

Washington Firms Raised $44.4M in 10 Venture Deals (Six Software) in November

If last month is any indication, 2009 is going out with a whimper when it comes to the number of dollars in new venture deals for Washington companies. Though there has been a mini-comeback of small software financings since October. That’s according to the latest roundup figures from ChubbyBrain, a New York-based maker of tools … Continue reading “Washington Firms Raised $44.4M in 10 Venture Deals (Six Software) in November”

RealGames’ Collapse! Goes Social

Seattle-based RealGames, the gaming division of RealNetworks (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RNWK]]), announced today its puzzle game Collapse! is now available on Facebook and a number of mobile platforms including BlackBerry, iPhone, and Android, along with downloadable versions for PC and Mac. The move is part of a broader trend of casual game makers releasing social and mobile … Continue reading “RealGames’ Collapse! Goes Social”

Solar Nation Raises $2M, Inks Partnership

Portland, OR-based Solar Nation, a developer of solar energy technologies for government agencies, businesses, and nonprofits, has raised $2 million in equity financing, according to an SEC filing. The financing appears to be part of a $5 million commitment from Luxembourg-based Lynx Industries to help expand Solar Nation’s North American operations, as the company announced … Continue reading “Solar Nation Raises $2M, Inks Partnership”

Washington Innovation Summit

The Washington Technology Center is hosting the Washington’s Innovation Summit 2010 — showcasing businesses and thought leaders driving industry development in aerospace, defense and energy. The event will be held from 7:30 am to 4 pm on April 9 at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. Registration costs $150-230. For more information, click here.

Change Comes to the Arctic: A Photographic Journey

The Copenhagen climate conference is in full swing, and if you wonder why it matters, we’ve got evidence of a changing world to share with you. On the following pages is a series of arresting photographs and captions contributed by Alun Anderson, an Xconomy board member and former editor-in-chief and publishing director at New Scientist. … Continue reading “Change Comes to the Arctic: A Photographic Journey”

Blackbox Republic, No Longer Just Sex Positive, Opens Alternative Social Site

I wish I could say this is just about sex, but it isn’t. Nevertheless, a lot has changed since we last heard from Blackbox Republic, the Portland, OR-based niche social network that is trying to be a more private and intimate alternative to Facebook and Match.com, for helping manage your personal life. The paid site … Continue reading “Blackbox Republic, No Longer Just Sex Positive, Opens Alternative Social Site”

Solar Nation Secures $2,000,000 New Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=59a64ca4-44b5-4be7-bc9c-3ff4305ca465&Preview=1 Date 12/9/2009 Company Name Solar Nation Mailing Address 17116 NE Sandy Boulevard Portland, OR 97230 Company Description Solar Nation is full-service design/engineer/build solar-energy-systems and solutions provider serving business, government, and non-profits organizations. Website http://www.solarnation.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. … Continue reading “Solar Nation Secures $2,000,000 New Funding Round”

Roper Industries Acquires Verathon for Undisclosed Sum

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1bb2c1c1-dd5a-43b5-8173-587f65f7375f&Preview=1 Date 12/9/2009 Company Name Verathon Mailing Address 20001 North Creek Parkway Bothell, WA 98011 Company Description Verathon® (formerly Diagnostic Ultrasound Corporation) designs, manufactures and distributes reliable, state-of-the-art medical devices and services that offer a meaningful improvement in patient care to the health care community. Website http://www.verathon.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount … Continue reading “Roper Industries Acquires Verathon for Undisclosed Sum”

Sammsoft Bought for $8.5M

Redmond, WA-based Sammsoft, which makes security and privacy software for personal computers, has been acquired by support.com (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SPRT]]), an online technology firm based in Silicon Valley, for $8.5 million in cash. The assets of Sammsoft’s parent company, Xeriton, were also acquired in the deal. Sammsoft was operated by former Microsoft employees, most of whom … Continue reading “Sammsoft Bought for $8.5M”

Dendreon Seeks to Raise More Than $400 Million to Support Prostate Cancer Drug Launch

Dendreon is on the prowl for another big round of financing. The Seattle-based biotech company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DNDN]]) said today that it is seeking to sell 15 million new shares of stock to investors in an offering that’s being underwritten by JP Morgan Securities and Deutsche Bank. The company didn’t release any terms of the financing, … Continue reading “Dendreon Seeks to Raise More Than $400 Million to Support Prostate Cancer Drug Launch”

Calistoga Builds More Momentum for Cancer Drug, Eyes Pivotal Trial Next Year

Seattle-based Calistoga Pharmaceuticals has gathered more evidence that it may have a real drug for blood cancers, which is shrinking tumors in patients without killing too many other healthy cells in the blood. The drug, CAL-101, didn’t work for everybody, but it did cause tumors to shrink at least by half for 60 percent of … Continue reading “Calistoga Builds More Momentum for Cancer Drug, Eyes Pivotal Trial Next Year”

Arzeda Gets Federal Grant to Make Renewable Enzyme for Tires, Sidesteps VC Funding Model

Arzeda is finding out what it wants to be when it grows up. The Seattle-based startup, which designs custom-made enzymes on computers, has pocketed a grant from the National Science Foundation to see if it can create an enzyme that can turn plant biomass into one of the key ingredients in synthetic rubber tires. The … Continue reading “Arzeda Gets Federal Grant to Make Renewable Enzyme for Tires, Sidesteps VC Funding Model”

ZymoGenetics Sells Inflammatory Drug to Old Parent, Novo Nordisk, for $24M Upfront

Seattle-based ZymoGenetics has struck a deal with its former parent from Denmark, Novo Nordisk, that will give Novo a jumpstart on its quest to become a bigger player in autoimmune diseases. Novo said it agreed to pay $24 million in upfront cash, and milestone payments worth as much as $157.5 million over time to ZymoGenetics … Continue reading “ZymoGenetics Sells Inflammatory Drug to Old Parent, Novo Nordisk, for $24M Upfront”

Seattle Genetics, Genentech Lymphoma Drug Passes Early Test with “Naked” Antibody

Seattle Genetics gets attention for its “empowered” antibody that targets tumor cells with a potent toxin, but today it presented some impressive data from a more typical “naked” antibody that doesn’t carry an extra lethal toxin. The Bothell, WA-based biotech company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SGEN]]) said today that half of the 30 patients with diffuse large B-cell … Continue reading “Seattle Genetics, Genentech Lymphoma Drug Passes Early Test with “Naked” Antibody”

Amazon Highlights: Jeff Bezos Interview, an E-Commerce Competitor, and Nook Reviews

With the holiday shopping season here, it’s a good time to recap how Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) is doing in the marketplace. No, not with a frothy piece about the company’s best sales quarter yet or its latest flashy Kindle update. In case you missed it, there have been a number of informative media stories in … Continue reading “Amazon Highlights: Jeff Bezos Interview, an E-Commerce Competitor, and Nook Reviews”

WSU, Startups Get $2M Algae Grant

Washington State University will receive a $2 million federal grant to develop algae-based biofuels in a collaboration with a couple of Seattle-based startup companies. The grant, secured with help of Washington Sen. Patty Murray, will support what’s called the Washington State Algae Alliance, a partnership of WSU, Seattle-based Targeted Growth, and Seattle’s Inventure Chemical.

Hollywood Sees Corruption in Pharma, and Suddenly Scientists are the Bad Guys

A recent article in the journal Science described a significant gene-therapy based advance in the treatment of two boys with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a rare and lethal genetic disease. This was wonderful news for those who have affected family members. This devastating affliction was the focal point of the beautifully crafted movie “Lorenzo’s Oil.” The film … Continue reading “Hollywood Sees Corruption in Pharma, and Suddenly Scientists are the Bad Guys”

Appature Raises $3.5M, Led by Ignition and Madrona, to Expand Healthcare Customer Base

Well, it’s about time we confirmed this deal. Seattle-based Appature is announcing today a Series A equity financing round, worth $3.5 million, co-led by Ignition Partners and Madrona Venture Group. It’s an all-Seattle investor group, as seed-stage fund Founder’s Co-op also participated in the financing. Appature, which has generated some buzz in recent months, makes … Continue reading “Appature Raises $3.5M, Led by Ignition and Madrona, to Expand Healthcare Customer Base”

Hutch Snaps Up $8.9M in Donations

[Updated: 2:15 pm Pacific, 12/8/09 with larger fundraising numbers from this year’s gala.] The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the Seattle-based nonprofit, said it raised $8.85 million at its annual Hutch Holiday Gala on Saturday night. Most of the money, $7.95 million, was directed toward research to boost people’s immune systems to fight cancer cells. … Continue reading “Hutch Snaps Up $8.9M in Donations”

JanRain Garners $3,250,000 Series A Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e71c538a-1433-46d1-92f9-27aa97a1558a&Preview=1 Date 12/7/2009 Company Name JanRain Mailing Address 5331 SW Macadam Ave Portland, OR 97239 Company Description JanRain has been a recognized leader and catalyst driving the OpenID market forward since 2005. While providing OpenID solutions for both consumers and businesses, our company has helped create the OpenID Foundation and the majority … Continue reading “JanRain Garners $3,250,000 Series A Funding Round”

Reports: Apple to Buy Lala, Backed by Ignition, Bain

Apple (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AAPL]]) is in talks to acquire Lala, a Palo Alto, CA-based online music service backed by Bellevue, WA-based Ignition Partners and Boston-based Bain Capital Ventures, according to Bloomberg and CNET, which each cite anonymous sources. No financial terms were reported, and Ignition has declined to comment. Lala’s service is different from Apple’s iTunes … Continue reading “Reports: Apple to Buy Lala, Backed by Ignition, Bain”

Federal Biofuel Awards Made for Green Refinery Projects in 15 States, Including Pilot Plants for Sapphire Energy, BioEnergy Intl.

Sapphire Energy, the San Diego-based algae biofuels startup that got much of its venture funding out of Seattle, and BioEnergy International of Quincy, MA, are among 19 biofuel refinery projects that were designated today to get as much as $564 million in federal funding. Sapphire spokesman Tim Zenk says the company got a $50 million … Continue reading “Federal Biofuel Awards Made for Green Refinery Projects in 15 States, Including Pilot Plants for Sapphire Energy, BioEnergy Intl.”

38th Annual Economic Forecast Conference

enterpriseSeattle is organizing the 38th annual Economic Forecast Conference on January 14. This event will look at the economic trends that will shape the Northwest in 2010, and delve into which sectors will help lead the recovery. For more information on how to register, click here.

Hutch Wins $55M Federal Contract, Plans to Hire 60 People

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center just brought home some big federal bucks. The Seattle-based nonprofit research center said today it has been awarded a multi-year, $55.4 million contract from the National Cancer Institute to be the only site of its kind that operates a cancer information service for the public. This contract will nearly … Continue reading “Hutch Wins $55M Federal Contract, Plans to Hire 60 People”

Seattle Layoff Update: Adobe, Microsoft, Real, ZymoGenetics, and Others Cut Staff

‘Tis the season for layoffs, we’re sorry to say. In the past month, we’ve seen some major staff cuts from the big tech and life sciences companies, as well as startups, around Seattle (see our updated Northwest layoff tracker here). The carnage has really picked up in the past week. Here’s a rundown of notable … Continue reading “Seattle Layoff Update: Adobe, Microsoft, Real, ZymoGenetics, and Others Cut Staff”

Stylefeeder Dissects Shopping Trends By Zip Code; Victoria’s Secret is Hot in Seattle, Hurley Beachwear is Tumbling in San Diego, Marc Jacobs is de Rigueur in Boston

Cambridge, MA-based Stylefeeder is bending more brainpower toward the study of online shopping behavior than virtually any other startup I know. The personalized product recommendation company has seven full-time employees, and five of them actually write code. Recently, they’ve been coding up some cool algorithms that show site visitors a customized set of products depending … Continue reading “Stylefeeder Dissects Shopping Trends By Zip Code; Victoria’s Secret is Hot in Seattle, Hurley Beachwear is Tumbling in San Diego, Marc Jacobs is de Rigueur in Boston”

Imperium Shuts Biodiesel Plant After Explosion

Seattle-based Imperium Renewables said it has shut down operations at its Grays Harbor biodiesel plant in Hoquiam, WA, following an explosion of a 10,000-gallon glycerin processing tank yesterday afternoon. No injuries were reported, and there was no fire. The cause of the blast is still under investigation, but the company says the rupture was caused … Continue reading “Imperium Shuts Biodiesel Plant After Explosion”

Report: Wetpaint Lays Off 9, Shifts Focus

Seattle-based Wetpaint, a social publishing startup, has laid off nine employees today, as part of an unspecified refocusing of company resources, according to TechFlash. The company laid off 15 staffers in July, and is now down to about 30 people, according to the report, which says co-founders Kevin Flaherty and Alex Berg are among the … Continue reading “Report: Wetpaint Lays Off 9, Shifts Focus”

ZymoGenetics Axes 52 Jobs, Quits Discovery of Immunology Drugs, to Conserve Cash

Bad news today for employees of ZymoGenetics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ZGEN]]). The Seattle-based biotech company said today in a regulatory filing it is cutting 52 jobs, or about 15 percent of its workforce, and scrapping its group that seeks to discover immunology drugs, so that it can put its resources into its marketed drug for surgical bleeding … Continue reading “ZymoGenetics Axes 52 Jobs, Quits Discovery of Immunology Drugs, to Conserve Cash”

Five Parting Thoughts on Google, Bing, and the Future of Search

Remember when Google was the good guy, with the motto “Don’t be evil”? When did it officially become Public Enemy No. 1? OK, I’m exaggerating a little, but at Monday night’s Xconomy Forum on the Future of Search and Information Discovery at the UW, it sure seemed like people were piling on. It was Brian … Continue reading “Five Parting Thoughts on Google, Bing, and the Future of Search”

Quitting Smoking is Good Business, Good Health, as Free & Clear Wins VC Deal of the Year

There haven’t been many home run venture investments in the Northwest this year, but one of the year’s biggest hits flew below most people’s radar—including mine. It basically made a lot of money by helping people quit smoking. Seattle-based Free & Clear, the developer of a proprietary smoking cessation program, was picked last night as … Continue reading “Quitting Smoking is Good Business, Good Health, as Free & Clear Wins VC Deal of the Year”

Pathway Founder Gets Startup Itch, Ekos Endures Tough Year, EndoGastric Bags $21.5M, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News

Seattle biotechies must have gorged on too much turkey in the holiday week, because the news was slow, slow, slow this week. But there were a few interesting things to say about medical devices. —Tom Clement, the founder of Kirkland, WA-based Pathway Medical Technologies, told me that after six months of scouting around the University … Continue reading “Pathway Founder Gets Startup Itch, Ekos Endures Tough Year, EndoGastric Bags $21.5M, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News”

From Swiss Army Knives to Smoking Cigarettes: Google, Bing, and Startups Talk Future of Search

The World Wide Web is an overwhelming collection of information, especially when one is faced with the task of sifting through it—and it’s only expanding. In the last few years, the induction of social media into the online realm has added more content to the Internet than that of the decades preceding it combined. Picture … Continue reading “From Swiss Army Knives to Smoking Cigarettes: Google, Bing, and Startups Talk Future of Search”