The last 50 years have seen many great technical advances in medical treatments, ranging from drug delivery and imaging to skin grafts and prosthetics. These advances—both large and small—have drawn on many fields and have transformed patient care. When examining the current state of clinical technology, the focus is naturally on the technology and its … Continue reading “The Role of the Student Engineer in Medicine and Innovation”
Category: Seattle
Igneous Raises $25M to Support On-Premise Approach to Data Storage
Igneous, a Seattle-based data-storage startup that manages servers and other on-premise computing equipment for its customers, announced on Friday $25 million in new financing. WestRiver Group, an investment firm collaborative based in Kirkland, WA, led the Series C funding round, Igneous said. Other participants included return backers Madrona Venture Group, New Enterprise Associates, Redpoint Ventures, … Continue reading “Igneous Raises $25M to Support On-Premise Approach to Data Storage”
Illumina’s Michael Ball Joins Contextual Genomics as CEO
Cancer genomics company Contextual Genomics has appointed Michael Ball to serve as its CEO. Ball comes to the Vancouver, BC-based company from Illumina (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ILMN]]), where he was global vice president commercial, informatics. Ball was previously CEO of GenoLogics Life Sciences Software, which was acquired by Illumina in 2015. Contextual Genomics develops molecular tests that … Continue reading “Illumina’s Michael Ball Joins Contextual Genomics as CEO”
Bio Roundup: Golumbeski’s Legacy, CRISPR Moratorium, Rebate Week & More
While all eyes in the biopharmaceutical world are currently trained on Bristol-Myers Squibb’s proposal to buy Celgene for $74 billion, it wasn’t that long ago that another company’s gaze was fixed on the Summit, NJ, drug maker. In the early 2000s, before the FDA approved Celgene’s flagship multiple myeloma drug lenalidomide (Revlimid), Novartis (NYSE: [[ticker:NVS]] … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Golumbeski’s Legacy, CRISPR Moratorium, Rebate Week & More”
Vikram Jandhyala, Champion of Innovation at UW and Beyond, Dies at 47
[Updated 3/15/19 11:05 a.m. See below.] Vikram Jandhyala, who built bridges between academia and industry across the globe and at the University of Washington, where he taught and worked, has died, the school said Wednesday. He was 47. In a statement on UW’s website, President Ana Mari Cauce said Jandhyala’s death was a suicide. He is … Continue reading “Vikram Jandhyala, Champion of Innovation at UW and Beyond, Dies at 47”
F5’s $670M Deal for Nginx Expands Firms’ Control of Web Servers, Apps
Internet users are celebrating the World Wide Web’s 30th birthday this week by reminiscing about early Web technologies like America Online and dial-up modems. But users’ Web experiences—from the 1990s to today’s mobile and social media-dotted digital landscape—are only possible with behind-the-scenes Internet infrastructure in place. The value of that infrastructure was highlighted in F5 … Continue reading “F5’s $670M Deal for Nginx Expands Firms’ Control of Web Servers, Apps”
Drug-Price Watchdog ICER Dives into Trump-Fueled Pharma Rebate Debate
[Updated 3/13/19, 12:20pm. See below.] With public and political winds blowing in the same direction, significant reform of the complicated U.S. drug-pricing system seems ever more likely. One part of the system that the Trump administration wants to overhaul are the secret rebates that drug makers, insurers, and middlemen negotiate behind closed doors. Replacements for … Continue reading “Drug-Price Watchdog ICER Dives into Trump-Fueled Pharma Rebate Debate”
Toyota Among Investors Backing Airbiquity With $15M for Vehicle Tech
Airbiquity, a Seattle-based developer of connected vehicle systems powering navigation, entertainment, and other software in cars, has raised $15 million in new financing from three Japanese automotive corporations, the company announced Monday. The investors that participated in the equity funding round are Denso Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: [[ticker:TM]]), and Toyota Tsusho Corp, which supports … Continue reading “Toyota Among Investors Backing Airbiquity With $15M for Vehicle Tech”
Karat’s Interviewers, Software Help Tech Firms Assess Engineers
When it comes to interviewing candidates for software engineering positions at big technology companies, “takes one to know one” tends to be an appropriate axiom, says Mohit Bhende. He’s one of the co-founders of Karat, a Seattle-based startup that uses proprietary software and its own stable of freelance interviewers to help some of the marquee … Continue reading “Karat’s Interviewers, Software Help Tech Firms Assess Engineers”
The Life, Troubles, and Celgene Legacy of Deal Guru George Golumbeski
George Golumbeski is one of the most prolific dealmakers in the biopharmaceutical world. But the deal that changed his life is a pact he made with himself when he was ten years old. Playing with friends in front of his house in Hampton, VA, he watched his mother drag his dead-drunk father, a U.S. Air … Continue reading “The Life, Troubles, and Celgene Legacy of Deal Guru George Golumbeski”
Vtrus Gets $2.9M For Drones That Inspect Indoor Industrial Equipment
Vtrus, a Seattle-based startup developing drones designed to autonomously inspect equipment in factories and other indoor settings, has raised more than $2.9 million to support its commercialization efforts, according to a regulatory filing. Nine investors participated in the equity funding round, the filing shows. Reached by phone on Thursday, a spokesperson for Vtrus declined to … Continue reading “Vtrus Gets $2.9M For Drones That Inspect Indoor Industrial Equipment”
Bio Roundup: Gottlieb Exits, Bristol Defends, Biogen Buys & More
In early 2017, Scott Gottlieb was considered the most moderate of the potential candidates to head the Food and Drug Administration, which is the most powerful regulator of medical products in the world. It wasn’t a high bar to clear. Libertarians who had questioned some of the basic premises of the FDA were in the … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Gottlieb Exits, Bristol Defends, Biogen Buys & More”
Knock Nabs $10M in Bid to Become the OpenTable of Apartment Leasing
People in the market to rent an apartment have plenty of options for contacting property managers, from phone calls to e-mail messages and live chats hosted on their websites. A Seattle-based startup, Knock, says it can help managers track the range of these communications with prospective tenants by storing them on a single digital platform. … Continue reading “Knock Nabs $10M in Bid to Become the OpenTable of Apartment Leasing”
Steering Lyft’s IPO: What Investors Will Weigh During the Roadshow
Much has been said about Lyft’s early lead over Uber in the “horserace” to become the first ride-hailing app company to go public. But now that San Francisco-based Lyft has filed its 276-page IPO prospectus with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, potential investors can focus on much more detailed considerations as they decide whether … Continue reading “Steering Lyft’s IPO: What Investors Will Weigh During the Roadshow”
Intel Reveals Ideas on Promoting AI in U.S. as Chinese Growth Looms
Even as the executive order President Trump issued last month on artificial intelligence furthered the conversation about a developing national strategy for the sector, it was met with certain criticism. A common complaint was that the plan won’t implement itself. “The administration’s American AI Initiative includes all of the right elements; the critical test will … Continue reading “Intel Reveals Ideas on Promoting AI in U.S. as Chinese Growth Looms”
Blue Squad Aims to Bring Election Tech Up and Down the Ballot
Austin—All politics is local, the adage goes, and those campaigns are sorely stuck in analog mode. That’s why Shion Deysarkar co-founded Blue Squad two years ago as a “digital coalition” to support progressive candidates by providing them with greater access to accurate voter data. Now, Blue Squad is more formally launching as a political tech startup … Continue reading “Blue Squad Aims to Bring Election Tech Up and Down the Ballot”
Two Years and Done: FDA Commissioner Gottlieb To Resign
Two months after insisting on Twitter that he wasn’t going anywhere, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced his resignation today. He leaves a record of health and medical regulation that was more active than critics who spoke out against his nomination in early 2017 might have expected. Gottlieb’s remit extended beyond drugs, of … Continue reading “Two Years and Done: FDA Commissioner Gottlieb To Resign”
Tasso Gets $6M For Device That Lets Users Self-Collect Blood Samples
Tasso, a Seattle-based startup that is developing an at-home blood sample collection device, announced Tuesday it has raised $6.1 million from investors. The new money will support its effort to launch sales of the device, Tasso OnDemand, in the coming months, and to add staff, Tasso says. Vertical Venture Partners, a Silicon Valley-based investment fund, … Continue reading “Tasso Gets $6M For Device That Lets Users Self-Collect Blood Samples”
With New Cash, iUNU to Help More Greenhouses Monitor, Manage Plants
People in the Pacific Northwest who grow plants in greenhouses and nurseries face good odds of turning a profit on their 2019 harvests, according to Spokane, WA-based Northwest Farm Credit Services, which supports farmers, ranchers, and other agribusiness in the region. This positive outlook comes thanks to steady demand for crops, a strong U.S. economy, … Continue reading “With New Cash, iUNU to Help More Greenhouses Monitor, Manage Plants”
Retailers Turn to Analytics, 3D Tech to Promote Fit, Reduce Returns
One size fits most (at best), and a women’s sizing system created during the Depression doesn’t gibe in an e-commerce business that prizes personalization. That’s why startups are turning to new technologies like 3D scanning and machine learning software to produce customized clothing that can be made for the masses. “People want to buy a … Continue reading “Retailers Turn to Analytics, 3D Tech to Promote Fit, Reduce Returns”
Privacy Watch: FTC, Facebook, EU, the Cloud Act, & More CA bills
Privacy issues continued to boil to the surface in February. In part, it’s a reflection of the long tail of consequences that began in early 2018 when the broader public learned that Facebook had shared data from millions of user profiles with now-shuttered political marketing firm Cambridge Analytica. The consequences of that wider public awareness … Continue reading “Privacy Watch: FTC, Facebook, EU, the Cloud Act, & More CA bills”
SPECIAL REPORT: 2019 Biopharma Outlook – Facing an Uncertain Future
After years of boom times, the U.S. biopharmaceutical industry is dealing with unprecedented threats on several fronts: public backlash against high drug prices, slowing sales, and the possibility of more government regulation. In this Xconomy Special Report, our veteran biotech journalists Alex Lash and Ben Fidler bring you deep insights, based on conversations with key … Continue reading “SPECIAL REPORT: 2019 Biopharma Outlook – Facing an Uncertain Future”
Bio Roundup: Pharma in DC, Bristol-Cel in Trouble, Roche Gets A Spark
Could a shareholder revolt doom the planned marriage of Bristol-Myers Squibb and Celgene? Analysts have hinted at the possibility since the two companies shook hands in January, but the threat became real this week. Bristol (NYSE: [[ticker:BMY]]) and Celgene (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CELG]]) have campaignned heavily, starting with a joint presentation by their CEOs at the J.P. … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Pharma in DC, Bristol-Cel in Trouble, Roche Gets A Spark”
Ex-Google CEO: New MIT College Could Help Shrink A.I. Talent Gap
Eric Schmidt believes we’re entering an era where artificial intelligence will underpin most facets of human life. But we don’t yet have enough people with the right skills to build that future. Schmidt, the former CEO of Google and former executive chairman of its parent company Alphabet (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GOOGL]]), argues that the A.I. talent shortage … Continue reading “Ex-Google CEO: New MIT College Could Help Shrink A.I. Talent Gap”
Seattle Venture Capital Watch: Modumetal, Illumagear, HaptX & More
February may be the shortest month of the year, but the past four weeks have seen many investments raised by technology businesses based in the Seattle area. Here are some notable deals from the past month: —Modumetal, a Seattle-based company that develops nanolaminated materials for use in armor, vehicles, building exteriors, and other products, raised … Continue reading “Seattle Venture Capital Watch: Modumetal, Illumagear, HaptX & More”
Steve Reed Steps Down as CEO of IDRI to Lead Two Spinout Companies
Steve Reed, president and CEO of the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI), is stepping down from his executive roles. Seattle-based IDRI says Reed will lead two spinouts: OnCo, which will focus on cancer immunotherapies for the developed world, and HDT Bio, which is developing immunotherapies and vaccines. Reed will also continue as a distinguished investigator … Continue reading “Steve Reed Steps Down as CEO of IDRI to Lead Two Spinout Companies”
7 Tips for Biotech Companies Seeking Capital in a Volatile Market
Last year was a remarkable year for biotech companies going public. Not only did an unusually large number of biotech companies go public, but a significant number of early-stage biotech companies went public at premium valuations relative to their later-clinical stage peers. There were approximately 58 biotech IPOs in 2018 (excluding offerings with under $25 … Continue reading “7 Tips for Biotech Companies Seeking Capital in a Volatile Market”
Carmera, Toyota Research Institute Zoom Ahead on AV Mapping Project
Carmera, the maker of dynamic, real-time, high-definition maps for use in mobility applications, announced today that it has entered into a commercial partnership with Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development, the carmaker’s division focused on the development of autonomous vehicle technologies. The monetary value of the partnership was not disclosed. The two companies will collaborate on a … Continue reading “Carmera, Toyota Research Institute Zoom Ahead on AV Mapping Project”
Walmart’s Store No 8 Acquires Aspectiva to Bring A.I. to Shopping
Walmart’s Store No 8 innovation arm has acquired an Israeli machine learning startup, the retail giant announced Wednesday. Aspectiva joined the two-year-old Store No 8 Monday, and its employees will remain in Tel Aviv. “Store No 8’s record of innovation and of developing capabilities that will transform retail as we know it makes for the … Continue reading “Walmart’s Store No 8 Acquires Aspectiva to Bring A.I. to Shopping”
Amazon, Google, Facebook Boosted 2018 Tech Hiring Spree in U.S. Hubs
A tech hiring slowdown in 2018 in America’s three largest innovation hubs would not have surprised John Barrett, given global economic uncertainty stemming from factors such as trade disputes, slower economic growth in China and Europe, and the UK’s looming exit from the EU. Instead, the pace of tech hiring in the San Francisco Bay … Continue reading “Amazon, Google, Facebook Boosted 2018 Tech Hiring Spree in U.S. Hubs”
Pharma CEOs to Senate: We Will Lower Drug Prices if Rebates Go Away
Seven top pharmaceutical executives gathered today in Washington, DC, for a Senate hearing on drug prices, bringing face-to-face two groups held in the lowest esteem possible by the American public. Top executives from seven companies—AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Sanofi, which represent a combined $1.1 trillion in market value—stuck to … Continue reading “Pharma CEOs to Senate: We Will Lower Drug Prices if Rebates Go Away”
Oyster Point Gets $93M To Clear Up Dry Eye With a Nasal Spray
Dry eye disease affects millions of people in the U.S., and while several treatments, mostly eye drops, are available, they all have flaws. An emerging startup called Oyster Point Pharmaceuticals is trying a completely different approach—a nasal spray that coaxes the body into making tears. And the company just got enough cash to get that … Continue reading “Oyster Point Gets $93M To Clear Up Dry Eye With a Nasal Spray”
Bio Roundup: NASH News, Merck Strikes, Digital Tokens & More
The growing epidemic of the fatty liver disease known as NASH, which has no FDA-approved treatment, has led to a frenzied race among drug companies. This week, one company, Intercept Pharmaceuticals, solidified its lead. But how much will being first to the finish line mean when all is said and done? Intercept (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ICPT]]) reported … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: NASH News, Merck Strikes, Digital Tokens & More”
Merck Scooping Up Cancer Drug Developer Immune Design for $300M
Four months after Immune Design halted a late-stage study for its lead cancer vaccine and saw its stock price cut nearly in half, the immunotherapy company is now in line to join Merck’s pipeline in a deal worth approximately $300 million. Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]] announced Thursday that it has agreed to pay $5.85 per share … Continue reading “Merck Scooping Up Cancer Drug Developer Immune Design for $300M”
Blaze Bio Raises $5M to Help Surgeons See Tumors From Healthy Tissue
Blaze Bioscience, a Seattle-based biotech developing “tumor paint” that could help surgeons tell the difference between normal and cancerous tissue, has raised $5 million in new equity funding to help advance its lead product candidate through clinical trials. Heather Franklin, Blaze’s founder and CEO, says its latest funding round is still open, and could climb … Continue reading “Blaze Bio Raises $5M to Help Surgeons See Tumors From Healthy Tissue”
Amazon Leads Rivian’s $700M Round, Hinting at Possible Auto Ambitions
Rivian, a Plymouth, MI-based company getting set to launch sales of its brawny, high-end electric vehicles, will be able to give those efforts a boost after raising $700 million in new funding. Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) led the investment in Rivian, the latest signal the retailing and technology giant could be poised to make waves in … Continue reading “Amazon Leads Rivian’s $700M Round, Hinting at Possible Auto Ambitions”
Google Confirms New Madison Office, Part of $13B National Expansion
Google confirmed this week that it will expand its satellite office in Madison, WI, as part of a $13 billion investment in data centers and offices nationwide in 2019. Xconomy reported Jan. 31 that the Bay Area tech giant intends to triple the size of its downtown Madison outpost by adding a second office, located … Continue reading “Google Confirms New Madison Office, Part of $13B National Expansion”
Bio Roundup: Trump’s Scalps, Policy Pressure, NASH Crash & More
While politicians continue to debate what kind of healthcare system is best for the American people, the mostly U.S.-based pharmaceutical industry is trying to convince those same politicians—and anyone else who will listen—that what’s good for the industry is also good for America. Forcing drug prices lower, industry argues, would be bad for our health, … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Trump’s Scalps, Policy Pressure, NASH Crash & More”
Finding True Love Can Be Ruff, But This Startup Could Have Your Match
Too many people treat pet adoption like a one-night stand. “You look at a dog, and see his eyes, and think he’s cute,” says Tama Lundquist, co-president of Houston PetSet, an organization that works with about 70 animal shelters in the Houston area. “But if you’re a couch potato and he likes to run, that’s … Continue reading “Finding True Love Can Be Ruff, But This Startup Could Have Your Match”
Polly Want a Slack Plugin? Seattle Enterprise IT Startup Raises $7M
Some people relish the opportunity to give feedback to individuals and organizations that have served them—think Yelp and Google users who rate every restaurant where they’ve eaten. Others may be less eager to evaluate a recent Uber trip, for example, but must do so before they can request their next ride. In today’s data-driven world, … Continue reading “Polly Want a Slack Plugin? Seattle Enterprise IT Startup Raises $7M”
It’s Not You, It’s Your Officials: Amazon Cancels HQ Plan for NYC
[Updated, 02/15/19, 8:50 CT] After a whirlwind courtship and brief engagement, Amazon has broken off its plans to establish another headquarters in New York’s Long Island City neighborhood. Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) rationalized its Valentine’s Day breakup with the Big Apple by saying that the problem was state and local officials, not New Yorkers themselves. A … Continue reading “It’s Not You, It’s Your Officials: Amazon Cancels HQ Plan for NYC”
Xnor.ai Makes Solar-Powered Computer Chip to Crunch, Learn from Data
By now, many consumers know that uploading a photo, video, or other file to “the cloud” on a service like Google or Facebook often means storing it in a data center. But the computer servers inside data centers don’t just store information—they are constantly processing complex algorithms and using energy to glean new insights for … Continue reading “Xnor.ai Makes Solar-Powered Computer Chip to Crunch, Learn from Data”
Why Did Amazon Buy Eero? Wi-Fi Users Covet Simplicity, Security
Being able to call on Alexa, the voice of Amazon’s Echo virtual assistants, to play a song or read a weather forecast requires a working Internet connection, of course. Amazon has now opened new avenues to put its own stamp on Wi-Fi routers and other home networking equipment, following the company’s purchase of San Francisco-based … Continue reading “Why Did Amazon Buy Eero? Wi-Fi Users Covet Simplicity, Security”
Losing “Scalps”? Despite Pharma Fear, A Split on Trump Rx-Price Plans
Despite angry presidential tweets and other anti-pharma rhetoric, the drug industry has benefited under the Trump administration, thanks in part to a massive corporate tax cut. Indeed, for nearly two decades, the industry has been able to fend off its critics and gain win after win from politicians and regulators, including tax holidays, faster drug … Continue reading “Losing “Scalps”? Despite Pharma Fear, A Split on Trump Rx-Price Plans”
Providence St. Joseph Acquires Seattle Blockchain Startup Lumedic
Providence St. Joseph Health said Monday it has acquired Lumedic, a startup developing blockchain-based software aimed at improving how healthcare providers bill for care and manage reimbursements from insurers. The deal, which Providence did not disclose the terms of, marks a rapid path from launch to exit for Seattle-based Lumedic. Michael Nash, the company’s founder … Continue reading “Providence St. Joseph Acquires Seattle Blockchain Startup Lumedic”
Endeavor Robotics Sold for $385M in Deal with Oregon’s FLIR Systems
Endeavor Robotics, a military robot-maker based in Chelmsford, MA, is being bought by FLIR Systems for $385 million in cash, the companies announced Monday. Wilsonville, OR-based FLIR said the deal will bolster its growing unmanned systems business at a time when the U.S. military is increasingly planning on a robot-aided future. FLIR (NASDAQ: [[ticker:FLIR]])—which primarily makes … Continue reading “Endeavor Robotics Sold for $385M in Deal with Oregon’s FLIR Systems”
Stably Tacks on $1.2M to Reduce Volatility in Digital Currencies
Stably, a Seattle-based startup developing a service it claims can reduce investors’ exposure to volatility in Bitcoin and other digital currencies’ values, on Thursday announced it has raised $1.2 million in new funding to support Stably’s growth. Digital currencies, or cryptocurrencies, have attracted significant investor attention and news coverage in recent years. One reason is … Continue reading “Stably Tacks on $1.2M to Reduce Volatility in Digital Currencies”
French Auto Supplier Valeo Moves Toward Mobility with New Innovations
Although the timeline for getting fully driverless cars on the road is in flux, the mobility industry is moving along at a rapid clip. Yet another huge investment in the sector was announced this week when Aurora Innovations, based in Pittsburgh and San Francisco, scored more than half a billion dollars from a group of … Continue reading “French Auto Supplier Valeo Moves Toward Mobility with New Innovations”
Bio Roundup: New CRISPR Feud, A NY Splash, Pharma vs. Congress & More
If you’re into congressional spectacles, stay tuned later this month. A group of top biopharma executives—the full roster isn’t known yet—will testify at a Feb. 26 hearing before the Senate Committee on Finance to defend their drug pricing practices. No executives showed up for the previous hearing, but reports indicate industry has changed its stance … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: New CRISPR Feud, A NY Splash, Pharma vs. Congress & More”
Boeing Is Aerion’s Latest Partner in Supersonic Passenger Jet Effort
Seattle may no longer be home to the NBA’s Supersonics, but one of the city’s anchor businesses, Boeing, announced this week it expects to play a key role in a company developing a jet for business travelers designed to fly at the speed of sound. Boeing (NYSE: [[ticker:BA]]) is the latest big-name partner that Aerion, … Continue reading “Boeing Is Aerion’s Latest Partner in Supersonic Passenger Jet Effort”