Dendreon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DNDN]]), the Seattle-based developer of a new treatment to stimulate the immune system against prostate cancer, said today in its quarterly financial report that it ended September with $259.6 million in cash and investments. That means it burned through about $28 million in cash during the last three months, based on its previous … Continue reading “Dendreon Burns $28M in Q3”
Category: Seattle
ZymoGenetics, King Pharma Brawl Over Drugs to Control Surgical Bleeding
ZymoGenetics started really playing hardball with King Pharmaceuticals in August, and now a high-and-tight fastball has come right back at the Seattle biotech company. The projectile in question is a lawsuit filed on November 2 by Bristol, TN-based King in the U.S. District Court in Eastern Tennessee; the suit accuses ZymoGenetics of false advertising, unfair … Continue reading “ZymoGenetics, King Pharma Brawl Over Drugs to Control Surgical Bleeding”
Verathon, Maker of Diagnostic Ultrasound Tools, Acquired by Roper as Part of $356M Deal
Bothell, WA-based Verathon, which markets a simple ultrasound technology to help doctors diagnose common bladder disorders, has been acquired by Sarasota, FL-based Roper Industries in a pair of transactions worth a combined $356 million. Roper (NYSE: [[ticker:ROP]]), a company with a market capitalization of $4.8 billion, made the announcement Friday. It said it acquired Verathon … Continue reading “Verathon, Maker of Diagnostic Ultrasound Tools, Acquired by Roper as Part of $356M Deal”
Clearwire to Get $1.5B More, Report Says
Kirkland, WA-based Clearwire (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CLWR]]) is about to receive an investment of at least $1.5 billion led by Sprint Nextel, according to the Wall Street Journal. Sprint will invest $1 billion, and its partners, including Comcast, Intel, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks, will chip in an additional $500 million, for continuing support of … Continue reading “Clearwire to Get $1.5B More, Report Says”
San Diego’s PaxVax Developing Oral Tablet Vaccine, Looks to Raise More Cash With Support of Seattle’s Ignition Capital
PaxVax, a San Diego startup backed by Seattle’s Ignition Capital, has raised $2 million of a planned $6 million investment round, according to a document filed Friday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The biotech was founded in early 2007 to develop new oral vaccine technology based on a common cold virus called the adenovirus. … Continue reading “San Diego’s PaxVax Developing Oral Tablet Vaccine, Looks to Raise More Cash With Support of Seattle’s Ignition Capital”
The Rise of Agile Organizational Development
There’s lots of buzz in the startup community about agile software development; there are software programs, books, and seminars on the topic, and even huge firms like IBM are now touting their “agile development solutions”. The general idea is to create a team and a software process that is flexible, quick, and adaptive to feedback … Continue reading “The Rise of Agile Organizational Development”
Startup Failure: Seattle’s Stigma, Boston’s Chip on Its Shoulder, and Silicon Valley’s Badge of Honor
“People say if you fail in Seattle, you’re screwed,” said Marcelo Calbucci. “If you fail in the Bay Area, you just have a badge of honor.” We were at the TechStars reunion event in Seattle last week, listening to early-stage investors Brad Feld, Andy Sack, Steve Hall, Greg Gottesman, Shawn Broderick, and Chris Sheehan speak … Continue reading “Startup Failure: Seattle’s Stigma, Boston’s Chip on Its Shoulder, and Silicon Valley’s Badge of Honor”
Hutch Holiday Gala
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is holding its annual Hutch Holiday Gala black tie fundraiser on Dec. 5 at the Seattle Sheraton. For more information on tickets, click here.
LaserMotive Wins $900K NASA Prize
Kent, WA-based LaserMotive has won $900,000 in a NASA competition to build a small prototype device that one day could help lead to a commercial “space elevator,” a cable that could transport cargo to and from outer space. The news was reported by the New York Times and other outlets. LaserMotive, a laser power-beaming company, … Continue reading “LaserMotive Wins $900K NASA Prize”
Porn Always Wins, Bacon Salt Expands, and Other Thoughts from Entrepreneur University
I’m not going to do justice to this event. Let’s just get that out there right now. There were some great speakers and panels at yesterday’s Entrepreneur University in Bellevue, WA, organized by the Northwest Entrepreneur Network. But this isn’t about them. This is about the crowd-pleasers that brought an otherwise productive day to a … Continue reading “Porn Always Wins, Bacon Salt Expands, and Other Thoughts from Entrepreneur University”
Elias Zerhouni Talks Public Health Challenges, Culture Wars at WBBA Annual Meeting
Just came back from the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association’s annual meeting in downtown Seattle, where 500-plus biotechies and distinguished guests (including more than a few local politicians) gathered for a quiche-and-berries breakfast and some keen networking. The keynote speaker was Elias Zerhouni, the former director of the National Institutes of Health and now a … Continue reading “Elias Zerhouni Talks Public Health Challenges, Culture Wars at WBBA Annual Meeting”
Is it Real or Is It High Dynamic Range? How Software Is Changing the Way We Look at Photographs
You know how listening to music on a friend’s pricey Bose headphones makes it harder to tolerate your tinny little speakers at home, or watching your favorite show on a high-definition screen spoils you for regular TV? I’m at a moment like that in the way I look at photographs. For the last few weeks, … Continue reading “Is it Real or Is It High Dynamic Range? How Software Is Changing the Way We Look at Photographs”
A Tale of Three Cities: How Boston, Boulder, and Seattle Measure Up as Tech Innovation Hubs
I was chatting with a couple of local investors at the TechStars (seed fund and mentorship program) event in Seattle on Wednesday. They thought the VC panel discussion of the startup climate and culture in different cities around the country was boring. If you’re an entrepreneur or investor, they said, that’s just where you are, … Continue reading “A Tale of Three Cities: How Boston, Boulder, and Seattle Measure Up as Tech Innovation Hubs”
Light Sciences Oncology Lines Up Extra $35M Financing For Targeted Cancer Treatment
Light Sciences Oncology, the Bellevue, WA-based developer of an unusual drug-device combo treatment for cancer, has put itself in position to raise $35 million for its product development through setting up a line of credit and offering investors warrants to buy shares, according to a regulatory filing released today. The latest financing comes about 16 … Continue reading “Light Sciences Oncology Lines Up Extra $35M Financing For Targeted Cancer Treatment”
Evri, SEOmoz, Topsy, and Sage to Present at “Future of Search” Forum
Want to know what the real opportunities are for startup companies and investors in the field of Web search and information discovery? Or what happens when you put Google and Bing in the same room? You’ve come to the right place. We’re putting the finishing touches on the program for our next Xconomy Forum, on … Continue reading “Evri, SEOmoz, Topsy, and Sage to Present at “Future of Search” Forum”
Report: RealNetworks Lays Off 70
Seattle-based RealNetworks is cutting 4 percent of its worldwide staff today, about 70 out of 1,700 jobs, according to All Things Digital. The report cites the economic downturn and cost-cutting as reasons for the move. Last week, RealNetworks (NASDAQ: [[ticker:RNWK]]) reported a small profit for the third quarter, the company’s first profitable quarter since the … Continue reading “Report: RealNetworks Lays Off 70”
Dendreon Files FDA Application, DxBox Reaches Turning Point, ISB to Do 100 Genomes, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News
The local life sciences scene was pretty quiet this week, although we heard more than usual from medical device companies. —Paul Yager, the University of Washington’s chair of bioengineering, offered a detailed status update on a tool called the DxBox his lab has been developing the past four years in collaboration with Redmond, WA-based Micronics, … Continue reading “Dendreon Files FDA Application, DxBox Reaches Turning Point, ISB to Do 100 Genomes, & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News”
VC Len Jordan Joins Madrona, Says Frazier Technology Ventures Won’t Raise Another Fund
Len Jordan, a general partner at Seattle-based Frazier Technology Ventures, will be joining Madrona Venture Group, also based in Seattle, as of January 1, 2010. Jordan will start at Madrona as a venture partner, the firm announced today, and will identify and lead new investments across technology areas like software, mobile, and Internet, as well … Continue reading “VC Len Jordan Joins Madrona, Says Frazier Technology Ventures Won’t Raise Another Fund”
Light Sciences Oncology Obtains $23,300,000 New Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d9e253b3-39d6-4191-96b2-d18426180cdf&Preview=1 Date 11/5/2009 Company Name Light Sciences Oncology Mailing Address 15405 SE 37th Street Bellevue, WA 98006 Company Description Light Sciences Oncology is developing Light Infusion Therapy (Litx™), an innovative light-activated treatment for solid tumors. LSO is currently developing Litx™ for the treatment of patients with cancers such as hepatoma, metastatic colorectal … Continue reading “Light Sciences Oncology Obtains $23,300,000 New Round”
Kashless Expands, Enters Marketing Phase as It Rewards Consumers for Recycling Products
I caught up yesterday with noted entrepreneur and investor Martin Tobias, after his latest startup, Seattle-based Kashless, announced a partnership with RecycleBank to reward people for recycling items at Kashless.org. The basic idea is a rewards program—redeemable for merchandise at hundreds of retailers—for people who give away things like old clothes, food, bikes, electronics, or … Continue reading “Kashless Expands, Enters Marketing Phase as It Rewards Consumers for Recycling Products”
Movaya Bought by Digby
Seattle-based Movaya Wireless, a mobile software startup, has been acquired by Digby, a mobile commerce firm based in Austin, TX. Financial terms were not announced. Movaya was founded in 2006 by Phil Yerkes and Stanley Wang, and recently has been focused on making digital goods storefront applications for the iPhone, Android, and other mobile Web … Continue reading “Movaya Bought by Digby”
Microsoft Lays Off 800 More; Washington and Massachusetts Affected
Microsoft has confirmed it is cutting 800 positions across the company today, in its third round of layoffs this year. About a quarter of the jobs are in the Seattle area, and an unspecified number of employees in Massachusetts are impacted, among other regions. It is not yet clear which product groups and divisions will … Continue reading “Microsoft Lays Off 800 More; Washington and Massachusetts Affected”
It Takes a Village to Raise an Entrepreneur: Cultivating the Emerging Seattle Talent Pool
It can be argued that among talent, cash and technology, no factor is more critical to a start up than talent. The talent drives innovation, attracts the venture capital and makes the critical life or death choices of the company. No matter how groundbreaking the technology or the amount of money invested, it is the … Continue reading “It Takes a Village to Raise an Entrepreneur: Cultivating the Emerging Seattle Talent Pool”
Microsoft’s Craig Mundie on Future Interfaces, Computer Science Education, and Life After Bill G
Craig Mundie is a geek, and I mean that in the best possible way. Microsoft’s chief research and strategy officer, the 17-year veteran of Redmond, WA, still talks like an engineer, throwing out terms like “heterogeneous machine architectures,” “GUIs” (graphical user interfaces), and “clouds and clients” like there’s no tomorrow. It’s kind of refreshing, given … Continue reading “Microsoft’s Craig Mundie on Future Interfaces, Computer Science Education, and Life After Bill G”
Calypso Teams Up with Siemens
Seattle-based Calypso Medical Technologies announced today it has signed a strategic development agreement with Siemens Healthcare to jointly develop products for radiation therapy of pancreas and lung cancer, as well as prostate cancer. Financial details weren’t given. Calypso makes tracking technologies that help deliver pinpoint radiation to tumors. The company raised $50 million in September, … Continue reading “Calypso Teams Up with Siemens”
Amazon Closes Zappos Deal, RF Arrays Raises Cash, 16 Under the Radar Financings, & More Seattle-Area Deals News
It was a quiet week for deals in the Northwest, but we dug up some important ones in business software, wireless, and biotech. —Seattle-based Amazon’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) acquisition of Zappos, the online apparel and shoe seller based in Las Vegas, has closed. The deal, first announced back in July, is valued at $1.2 billion in … Continue reading “Amazon Closes Zappos Deal, RF Arrays Raises Cash, 16 Under the Radar Financings, & More Seattle-Area Deals News”
UW Scientists, Backed by Gates Foundation, Enter “Put Up or Shut Up” Phase with Portable Diagnostic
When somebody gets a fever in a poor country, there is no quick or easy way to tell whether it’s a symptom of flu, malaria, a bacterial invader, or some other bug. And if you don’t what it is, then it’s hard to treat. So it’s only natural that shrinking modern diagnostic tools into a … Continue reading “UW Scientists, Backed by Gates Foundation, Enter “Put Up or Shut Up” Phase with Portable Diagnostic”
$1.2B Amazon-Zappos Deal Closes
Seattle-based Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) said today its acquisition of online apparel and shoe seller Zappos, based in Las Vegas, has closed. The Zappos management team will remain intact, the company said. In a blog post, Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh said his board of directors has been “switched out,” and that the deal, worth about 10 … Continue reading “$1.2B Amazon-Zappos Deal Closes”
Tasktop Finds Path to Profits, Via a More Efficient Interface Inspired by Brain Science
For Mik Kersten, it all started when he saw Maria Klawe speak at the University of British Columbia. It was the mid-1990s, and Klawe, a distinguished mathematician and computer scientist—now the president of Harvey Mudd College and recently appointed to Microsoft’s board of directors—was giving a lecture to students and faculty. “She talked about her … Continue reading “Tasktop Finds Path to Profits, Via a More Efficient Interface Inspired by Brain Science”
ISB Cuts Deal to Sequence 100 Genomes
The Seattle-based Institute for Systems Biology and Mountain View, CA-based Complete Genomics said today they are planning to gather full human genome sequences from 100 individuals to study Huntington’s disease. The experiment, the largest complete human genome disease association study ever conducted, will examine samples from patients with Huntington’s, family members, and matched controls to … Continue reading “ISB Cuts Deal to Sequence 100 Genomes”
Dendreon Files Provenge Application to FDA Ahead of Schedule, Now It’s Time to Wait
Seattle-based Dendreon said today it has completed all the necessary paperwork for its lead drug candidate, and handed over the amended application for approval to the FDA. The company had told investors to expect this milestone by “mid-November,” so this application came in a few days or even a few weeks ahead of schedule. Investors … Continue reading “Dendreon Files Provenge Application to FDA Ahead of Schedule, Now It’s Time to Wait”
The Changing Face of Venture Capital
[This post also appears on OVP’s blog—Eds.] The University of Washington’s Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department’s Affiliates day is one of the most fun and rewarding days of the year for me as venture investor and geek. It involves a showcase of projects and research areas by professors and students and is a festival … Continue reading “The Changing Face of Venture Capital”
QuantumCor Sees Future of Heart Failure Treatment in No Device Left Behind
The leading edge of innovation in medical devices is often concentrated on nifty implantable tools that a doctor can insert without a scalpel, as a less-invasive alternative to surgery. But now we’re seeing more startups, like Bothell, WA-based QuantumCor, designing devices to fix what’s broken in the body without even leaving any sort of implant … Continue reading “QuantumCor Sees Future of Heart Failure Treatment in No Device Left Behind”
Who’s Up, Who’s Down in Tech Company Earnings Land
Well, we can’t all be Amazon. While the Seattle-based e-commerce giant (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) raked in a $199 million profit for the third quarter of 2009—a 68 percent increase in net income over the same period last year—Microsoft (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MSFT]]) posted an 18 percent decline in its profits (still $3.57 billion, better than analysts expected). But … Continue reading “Who’s Up, Who’s Down in Tech Company Earnings Land”
Onehub Raises $1.3M Series A
Bellevue, WA-based Onehub announced it has raised $1.3 million in Series A financing from Bellevue-based Ignition Partners and angel investors. Onehub makes cloud-based software for collaboration and file-sharing, and was founded in 2007. Back in April, we reported that Onehub had raised $600,000 from undisclosed investors, and in September we mentioned the company was part … Continue reading “Onehub Raises $1.3M Series A”
Cleantechies Schmooze With the Gov, Compete for Cash as Three Regional Finalists Go National
Money may be tight for aspiring cleantech entrepreneurs in a downturn, but they got a little cash and some precious attention for their ideas last night. Gov. Chris Gregoire showed up to mingle at the ACT Theatre in Seattle with about a dozen entrepreneurial semi-finalists who were gathered to compete at the first Clean Tech … Continue reading “Cleantechies Schmooze With the Gov, Compete for Cash as Three Regional Finalists Go National”
Sony, Google Point the Way Toward a More Open Future for E-Books
In a presentation at the Boston Book Festival last weekend, Jon Orwant, a Google engineer involved in the company’s Book Search project, made a memorable and, I thought, quite perceptive remark about the e-book business. “Think about the books you have at home and how you organize them,” Orwant said. “Some of you may not … Continue reading “Sony, Google Point the Way Toward a More Open Future for E-Books”
Onehub Secures $1,300,000 New Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=96ef0db2-753a-49fe-81c8-bc72f430fe1a&Preview=1 Date 10/30/2009 Company Name Onehub Mailing Address 3380 146th Pl SE Bellevue, WA 98007 Company Description Onehub is a web application that provides everything you need to easily and securely share business information and files with partners, customers, coworkers, and suppliers. Onehub is not your typical complicated collaboration software. Instead, it’s … Continue reading “Onehub Secures $1,300,000 New Funding Round”
Prolifiq Wins at OEN Venture Northwest
Beaverton, OR-based Prolifiq was named winner of the day at the annual Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) Venture Northwest investor forum in Portland, OR, today. Eleven companies, including three from the Seattle area, presented to an audience of investors and entrepreneurs. Prolifiq makes mobile marketing software that helps companies distribute sales materials to customers in the … Continue reading “Prolifiq Wins at OEN Venture Northwest”
Top Tech Events of the Fall—an Xconomy Guide
My head is exploding trying to keep up with all the tech-business events going on around Seattle these days. Here’s a quick guide to the most prominent ones on my brain, in the hopes of saving you some stress (and keeping you up to date): —Last night’s “Women in Tech” event from TechFlash was a … Continue reading “Top Tech Events of the Fall—an Xconomy Guide”
Energy Experts React to Forthcoming Cleantech Incubator from McKinstry
The smell of startup incubators is in the air. Adeo Ressi from TheFunded recently announced that his Founder Institute training program for entrepreneurs is coming to Seattle this winter. And next week, TechStars, the seed-stage investment fund with operations in Boulder, CO, and Boston, is holding its annual reunion event in Seattle amid increasing buzz … Continue reading “Energy Experts React to Forthcoming Cleantech Incubator from McKinstry”
ZymoGenetics Rival Emerges, Omeros IPO Casts Shadow, Microsoft’s HealthVault Seeks Users, & More Seattle Area Life Sciences News
We had a little something for everybody on the life sciences beat this week, with news on biopharmaceuticals, devices, and healthcare software. —Seattle-based Omeros (NASDAQ: [[ticker:OMER]]) had potential to be a bellwether for the U.S. biotech sector earlier this month, as the first true biopharmaceutical company to go public since February 2008. But its stock … Continue reading “ZymoGenetics Rival Emerges, Omeros IPO Casts Shadow, Microsoft’s HealthVault Seeks Users, & More Seattle Area Life Sciences News”
Big Fish Hires Senior Execs
Seattle-based Big Fish Games announced today it has hired Michael Vernon as chief financial officer and Ian Hurlock-Jones as chief technology officer. Vernon is a veteran of Seattle-area firms aQuantive and Zumobi, while Hurlock-Jones comes from Fox Interactive Media and Buy.com. Big Fish, a leading developer and distributor of casual games, announced it was opening … Continue reading “Big Fish Hires Senior Execs”
Google Kirkland Is Hiring, and Other Highlights from the Company’s Northwest Birthplace
This morning I checked my e-mail, powered by Google, and then used Google Maps to find my way to the Google Kirkland open house. It reminded me a little bit of the scene in “Being John Malkovich” when Malkovich, the actor, finds a portal into his own brain and sees that everyone looks like him … Continue reading “Google Kirkland Is Hiring, and Other Highlights from the Company’s Northwest Birthplace”
Under the Radar Deals: 16 Northwest Financings You Haven’t Heard About
They are the deals that slip through the cracks unnoticed. They are worth less than $1 million, but at least $100,000. Though small in size, these investments need to be included along with the bigger deals that get more press, if you want a more complete picture of the funding landscape in the innovation community. … Continue reading “Under the Radar Deals: 16 Northwest Financings You Haven’t Heard About”
MIT Enterprise Forum Dinner Program
Breaking News: How Will the Pieces Be Put Back Together Again? Info and registration here. Few sectors of American business have been as influential and staid as the news industry. But new technologies and increased competition for advertising dollars have caused the industry to feel a bit like Humpty Dumpty. Now, it’s up to a … Continue reading “MIT Enterprise Forum Dinner Program”
UW CSE 2009-10 Annual Industrial Affiliates Meeting
Information and agenda here. The first day will begin with a short state-of-the-department overview that will include initiatives and research begun over the past year. The bulk of the day will consist research talks (in parallel tracks), as well as poster presentations and demonstrations, industry feedback sessions, and a reception and dinner. The day will … Continue reading “UW CSE 2009-10 Annual Industrial Affiliates Meeting”
Clean Tech Open: Pacific NW Regional Awards Gala
Info and registration here. You are cordially invited to attend the Pacific Northwest Regional Awards Gala for the Cleantech Open. Three companies sporting the boldest cleantech ideas, devised by some of the Northwest’s brightest entrepreneurs, will be announced as regional finalists to compete against six companies from California and three companies from the Rocky Mountain … Continue reading “Clean Tech Open: Pacific NW Regional Awards Gala”
Kineta Cuts Deal With MPI
Seattle-based Kineta, the company developing drugs against autoimmune diseases, said today it has formed an alliance with MPI Research. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but Kineta will get support for animal studies that will enable it to start clinical trials in 2010, the company said. Kineta also received the second year of funding under … Continue reading “Kineta Cuts Deal With MPI”
RF Arrays Raises $6.5M
Portland, OR-based RF Arrays, a wireless communications technology firm, has raised $6.5 million in equity, options, warrants, and/or other rights to acquire securities, according to a regulatory filing. The investors were not disclosed, but New York-based New Science Ventures has previously backed RF Arrays. The SEC form lists as directors Chandra Deshpandey, the company’s CEO; … Continue reading “RF Arrays Raises $6.5M”