While finishing up his third year at Harvard Medical School in 2013, Andrew Le started to notice a pattern. Le was working in an emergency room as part of a clinical rotation, and says that he spoke with patient after patient who had run Google searches on the symptoms they were experiencing before deciding to … Continue reading “Buoy Snags $6.7M for Chatbot, as A.I. Pushes Further Into Healthcare”
For Parkinson’s, Two New Drugs Coming As Prevail Gets Started in NY
A drug that actually slows or reverses the brain damage inflicted by Parkinson’s disease, rather than just alleviates its often debilitating symptoms, remains elusive. But Prevail Therapeutics, a startup just launched in New York, has become the latest to try. This morning, the Silverstein Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed by OrbiMed partner Jonathan Silverstein, announced … Continue reading “For Parkinson’s, Two New Drugs Coming As Prevail Gets Started in NY”
Antibiotics Firms Cempra, Melinta Therapeutics Agree to Merger
Cempra plans to combine with Melinta Therapeutics, a merger that provides a new path forward for the Chapel Hill, NC, firm following the FDA’s surprising rejection of its lead drug late last year. Meanwhile, privately held Melinta, based in New Haven, CT, will gain a public stock listing through the deal as it prepares to … Continue reading “Antibiotics Firms Cempra, Melinta Therapeutics Agree to Merger”
Xconomy Presents: Healthcare + A.I.
Artificial intelligence is starting to seep into many aspects of healthcare and life sciences. There’s no revolution yet—but there may well be in the next few years. Computer vision, natural language processing, and machine learning are being used to analyze patients’ genomes, medical images, behavior, and other big data. But A.I. technologies still face challenges … Continue reading “Xconomy Presents: Healthcare + A.I.”
The Fired Google Engineer, the First Amendment, and the Alt-Right
Google software engineer James Damore confirmed to Bloomberg on Monday that Google fired him for circulating a lengthy memo on his views that women are biologically less suited to tech work than men. His “manifesto” was spread through Google’s internal communication channels over the weekend, and obtained by Gizmodo and other tech publications. Damore expressed … Continue reading “The Fired Google Engineer, the First Amendment, and the Alt-Right”
MTRAC Program Helps Early-Stage Automotive Technology Get to Market
With the era of the autonomous vehicle dawning, the technologies required to develop driverless cars have never been hotter. But before they hit the marketplace, cutting-edge innovations often necessitate a lot of research, and much of that early research is conducted in an academic setting. The Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) program for advanced … Continue reading “MTRAC Program Helps Early-Stage Automotive Technology Get to Market”
Dragonfly, Tyler Jacks Sign On for Boston’s Life Science Disruptors on Sept. 28
Dragonfly Therapeutics is one of the more unusual biotech startups to come along of late. It was formed by well-known cancer researchers on both coasts, backed by some high-powered family offices, and already has a partnership with Celgene—all without the presence or help of a single venture firm. Two of Dragonfly’s co-founders, cancer research pioneer … Continue reading “Dragonfly, Tyler Jacks Sign On for Boston’s Life Science Disruptors on Sept. 28”
UniQure Names McMillan COO, van Deventer Succeeds Retiring CSO
Scott McMillan is joining uniQure (NASDAQ: [[ticker:QURE]]) as chief operating officer. Before coming to uniQure, a gene therapy developer split between The Netherlands and Lexington, MA, McMillan was senior vice president of quality and technical operations at AMAG Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMAG]]) in Waltham, MA. McMillan will be based at uniQure’s Lexington site. In other moves, … Continue reading “UniQure Names McMillan COO, van Deventer Succeeds Retiring CSO”
Former Tobira Executive Helen Jenkins Joins Alkahest as COO
San Carlos, CA-based drug developer Alkahest has appointed Helen Jenkins as chief operating officer. Jenkins served in the same role at Tobira Therapeutics, a South San Francisco, CA, biotech that was acquired last year by Allergan (NYSE: [[ticker:AGN]]). Alkahest is developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and other age-related conditions.
Xconomy Awards: The Finalists Are….
The nominees for our first ever Xconomy Awards were an impressive bunch, and represent a wide range of the technologies, approaches, and yes, personalities, that are all driving Boston biotech today. There’s a lot of talent in this town, so narrowing the list of more than 250 nominations down to a handful of finalists in … Continue reading “Xconomy Awards: The Finalists Are….”
Beloit, Foxconn, Shine, MVI, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
Catch up on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —The New York Times published a lengthy feature story about the efforts of Diane Hendricks, a billionaire corporate executive and philanthropist, to lead an economic revival in the city of Beloit. Hendricks is perhaps best known as the co-founder and owner of ABC … Continue reading “Beloit, Foxconn, Shine, MVI, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
Experimental Drug With San Antonio Roots Changes Home After Merger
San Antonio — Galena Biopharma, a Bay Area biotech that has been developing a cancer vaccine created by a San Antonio researcher, is merging with another immunotherapy company: Sellas Life Sciences Group, which will also be the name of the combined business. Sellas Life Sciences is developing multiple experimental cancer immunotherapies, including a treatment for … Continue reading “Experimental Drug With San Antonio Roots Changes Home After Merger”
Dermira Commits $135M for Global Rights to Roche Eczema Drug
Skin treatments developer Dermira is adding another experimental drug to its pipeline that it plans to test as a potential treatment for eczema, through a deal announced this morning with healthcare giant Roche. But in picking up the global rights to lebrikizumab, Menlo Park, CA-based Dermira (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DERM]]) is entering a suddenly crowded field of … Continue reading “Dermira Commits $135M for Global Rights to Roche Eczema Drug”
Pro.com Becomes a ‘Tech-Enabled General Contractor,’ Raises $10M
Finding someone to repair, remodel, or build your home—the largest asset most people will ever own—is fraught. For years, technology companies such as Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor have been trying to help, with varying degrees of success, by matching homeowners with vetted, reviewed service professionals. Seattle has seen its share of companies pursue a version … Continue reading “Pro.com Becomes a ‘Tech-Enabled General Contractor,’ Raises $10M”
Your Call Is Important: AI-Based Analytics Come to the Call Center
Houston and Dallas—Call centers proliferated as the Internet age took hold of the global economy. But, despite that connection, in many ways, call centers themselves haven’t kept up with innovations to make their operations as efficient as possible. That’s the view, at least, of two bootstrapped Texas software companies—AmplifAI and EthosIQ—that aim to bring new … Continue reading “Your Call Is Important: AI-Based Analytics Come to the Call Center”
An Insider’s Guide to Bridging the Biotech Gender Gap
As an executive recruiter focused solely on life sciences, I’m among the first to acknowledge the industry’s gender gap. Of the 20 largest pharmaceutical companies around the world, only one has a woman at the helm—and GSK named Emma Natasha Walmsley as CEO less than five months ago. Among biotech executive leadership teams, women make … Continue reading “An Insider’s Guide to Bridging the Biotech Gender Gap”
Opportunity Abounds as Washington Builds the Modern Electricity Grid
[Updated 8/9/17, 9:48 a.m. See below.] In a dry grassland set amid some of the region’s preeminent energy research, production, and training facilities, you can see the future of the electricity grid, and Washington state companies and workers are playing a major role in shaping it. The Horn Rapids Solar, Storage, and Training Project—which would … Continue reading “Opportunity Abounds as Washington Builds the Modern Electricity Grid”
Neurable’s Brain-Computer Interface Platform Scores U-M Investment
Neurable, a University of Michigan spinout now located in Cambridge, MA, has received a new investment from the university’s Zell Lurie Founders Fund to help commercialize its brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. The amount of the investment was not disclosed. The new capital builds on a $2 million seed round the company raised last December, says … Continue reading “Neurable’s Brain-Computer Interface Platform Scores U-M Investment”
MyoKardia Heart Drug Boosts Blood Flow, Sends Shares Soaring
Early clinical trial data for an experimental MyoKardia drug developed to treat a potentially fatal cardiovascular disorder are showing promise, results that now have the company preparing for a larger study to support FDA approval. South San Francisco, CA-based MyoKardia (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MYOK]]) is testing the drug, mavacamten in patients who have a potentially deadly form … Continue reading “MyoKardia Heart Drug Boosts Blood Flow, Sends Shares Soaring”
Houston Biotech Oncolix Announces Reverse Merger, Goes Public
[Updated 8/7/17, 10:25 am. See below.] Houston—Oncolix, which is developing a treatment for ovarian cancer, announced Monday it has completed a reverse merger with Advanced Environmental Petroleum Producers ([[ticker:AEPP]]), making it a public company. The Houston-based Oncolix currently has ongoing a Phase I clinical trial in ovarian cancer patients for its prospective therapy, G129R (Prolanta). … Continue reading “Houston Biotech Oncolix Announces Reverse Merger, Goes Public”
NxStage Medical Sells to Dialysis Giant Fresenius for $2B
German dialysis giant Fresenius is paying $2 billion to acquire NxStage Medical, a Lawrence, MA-based developer of products for patients dealing with kidney failure. Fresenius is paying $30 a share for NxStage (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NXTM]]), a roughly 28 percent premium to the company’s $23.14 closing price on Friday. That price represents an all-time high for NxStage: … Continue reading “NxStage Medical Sells to Dialysis Giant Fresenius for $2B”
New Rapamycin CEO Hired to Handle Funding, FDA Inflection Points
San Antonio — Rapamycin Holdings has a new CEO, is raising a $3.5 million Series B round of funding, and plans to submit an investigational new drug filing to the FDA this year. If all goes well, the small biotech may start its first in-human clinical trials as early as later this year. “The company is … Continue reading “New Rapamycin CEO Hired to Handle Funding, FDA Inflection Points”
Presence Capital Takes the Temperature of VR/AR at Mid-Year
This week we checked in with Presence Capital, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that specializes in virtual reality and augmented reality startups. Presence, which made its first investment in July 2015, has now invested in 33 companies, including VR animation studio Baobab; Strivr, a creator of VR training systems; Meta, the developer of a … Continue reading “Presence Capital Takes the Temperature of VR/AR at Mid-Year”
Robot Startup Auris Reels In $280M for Less Invasive Lung Surgery
Auris Surgical Robotics has kept a tight lid on the details about its technology, its surgical targets, and its financial backers. On Friday, the stealthy startup gave a small peek at all three. San Carlos, CA-based Auris has raised $280 million in a Series D round of financing, the company revealed on its website. The … Continue reading “Robot Startup Auris Reels In $280M for Less Invasive Lung Surgery”
Fresh Off New Funding Round, FluGen Plans 3 Clinical Trials for 2018
FluGen, a startup that’s developing an experimental universal influenza vaccine, is in the process of finalizing its first human clinical trial and plans to initiate three more studies next year. Paul Radspinner, co-founder and CEO of Madison, WI-based FluGen, says his company now has data on the 96 patients who were dosed with its RedeeFlu … Continue reading “Fresh Off New Funding Round, FluGen Plans 3 Clinical Trials for 2018”
Seattle Week in Review: Blue Angels, Smoke, and Surveillance Above
As the Blue Angels streak across Seattle’s smoke-filled skies preparing for this weekend’s Seafair, we’ll review some of this week’s news, including some of the latest dire climate change forecasts; the race for mayor; Amazon’s ongoing hiring and real estate sprees; odd flight patterns; and a Periodic Table of haiku. —It’s impossible not to think … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: Blue Angels, Smoke, and Surveillance Above”
Report: Martin Shkreli Faces Prison Term After Fraud Conviction
After days of deliberation, a New York jury Friday afternoon found Martin Shkreli guilty of securities fraud. According to a report from CNBC, the jury in the civil case said that Shkreli is guilty on three of eight counts, two of which are securities fraud and the other conspiracy to commit securities fraud. Shkreli, according … Continue reading “Report: Martin Shkreli Faces Prison Term After Fraud Conviction”
CRISPR Therapeutics Hires Tony Ho From AstraZeneca to Lead R&D
CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CRSP]]) has hired Tony Ho to serve as the company’s executive vice president and head of research and development. Switzerland-based CRISPR Therapeutics, which maintains its R&D operations in Cambridge, MA, is developing therapies based on the CRISPR gene-editing technology. Ho comes to the company from AstraZeneca (NYSE: [[ticker:AZN]]), where he was senior … Continue reading “CRISPR Therapeutics Hires Tony Ho From AstraZeneca to Lead R&D”
Nightstar Brings Tuyen Ong On Board as Chief Development Officer
Tuyen Ong is joining Nightstar as executive vice president and chief development officer. Ong comes to Nightstar from South Plainfield, NJ-based PTC Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:PTCT]]), where we was chief medical officer. Ong will be based in Lexington, MA, where London-based Nightstar has its U.S. headquarters. The company, which develops treatments for rare congenital retinal diseases, … Continue reading “Nightstar Brings Tuyen Ong On Board as Chief Development Officer”
With $5M Investment, Toyota Is First Auto Co. to Back Mobility Center
As news reports this morning say that Toyota and Mazda are planning to open a new $1.6 billion U.S. manufacturing plant—location to be determined—Toyota is also making moves in Michigan. This week, the American Center for Mobility (ACM) announced that the Japanese automotive company has ponied up $5 million to be a founding sponsor of the autonomous vehicle … Continue reading “With $5M Investment, Toyota Is First Auto Co. to Back Mobility Center”
Bio Roundup: CRISPR Advances, Obamacare Lives, FDA Nods & More
Gene editing took an important step this week when a group of U.S. researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to correct a genetic error in dozens of human embryos without complications. It’s a significant achievement, but amidst the hype, it’s worth cautioning just how much work has to be done before the technology leads to a safe … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: CRISPR Advances, Obamacare Lives, FDA Nods & More”
After VR’s Shortcomings, Walmart’s Interest in Cube May Be a Boost
San Antonio—Virtual reality has certainly been a hyped industry during the last few years, though it recently gathered a little backlash because of unfulfilled expectations and the recent failure of a Silicon Valley startup. But a deal announced earlier this week indicates that the world’s largest company by revenue still believes in it. San Antonio-based … Continue reading “After VR’s Shortcomings, Walmart’s Interest in Cube May Be a Boost”
Social Web Startup Signs Deal with AP to Distribute Sports Scores
ScoreStream, a San Diego area startup providing a crowdsourced social media platform for reporting high school sports scores, said Thursday it has agreed to distribute high school game scores under a new collaboration agreement with The Associated Press. Under their agreement, this fall ScoreStream will begin distributing and publishing high school football scores across 42 … Continue reading “Social Web Startup Signs Deal with AP to Distribute Sports Scores”
IFM Gets $300M Bristol Buyout, Plans Second Strike With New Spinout
Bristol-Myers Squibb this afternoon is acquiring a young startup, IFM Therapeutics, in an unusual deal that will also see the big drugmaker get a chance to own rights in a new company the biotech is spinning out as well. New York-based Bristol (NYSE: [[ticker:BMY]]) will pay $300 million up front for IFM, which will give … Continue reading “IFM Gets $300M Bristol Buyout, Plans Second Strike With New Spinout”
Moxe Introduces Tools to Help Health Insurers, Providers Share Data
Moxe Health has introduced a new product suite aimed at combining different types of healthcare data, which the startup says could ultimately help clinicians identify gaps in care and improve outcomes for patients. Madison, WI-based Moxe launched the suite, known as Convergence, earlier this week. It allows clinicians to pull in data from insurers while … Continue reading “Moxe Introduces Tools to Help Health Insurers, Providers Share Data”
Dramatic Capital Inflows Continue in 2Q17… Trouble Ahead?
In an environment of microscopic interest rates, it is particularly interesting to read the Preqin 2Q17 Quarterly Update, which exhaustively tracks all things private equity and venture capital. At the end of June 2017 there were 1,998 funds in market raising a total of $676 billion – a staggering sum – indicative of global investors … Continue reading “Dramatic Capital Inflows Continue in 2Q17… Trouble Ahead?”
Veritas Buys Curoverse to Bring A.I. Analysis of Genes to the Masses
Some answers to questions about the risk of developing a disease or a bad reaction to a drug can be found by analyzing a patient’s genes. In the not-too-distant future, such queries could be as easy as searching for and selecting a movie on Netflix, contends Rodrigo Martinez, chief marketing and design officer for Veritas … Continue reading “Veritas Buys Curoverse to Bring A.I. Analysis of Genes to the Masses”
Check Out Tesaro & More at “Disruptors” on Sept. 28; Super Saver Rate Ends Today
Time is running out to get a discount on Xconomy’s annual “Boston’s Life Science Disruptors” event in Cambridge, MA. You don’t want to miss this unique blend of candid stories from some of New England’s most radical biotech company leaders, founders, and VC backers. You’ll get insights and perspective from the ground level of the … Continue reading “Check Out Tesaro & More at “Disruptors” on Sept. 28; Super Saver Rate Ends Today”
Clinc’s A.I. Lets USAA Members Casually Chat with Their Bank Accounts
Ever wanted to casually talk to your bank account and find out how much money you have in checking, or what your restaurant spending looked like a year ago? If you’re a member of USAA, the financial institution serving members of the U.S. military, and have an Amazon Alexa device, now you can. Clinc, the … Continue reading “Clinc’s A.I. Lets USAA Members Casually Chat with Their Bank Accounts”
Cibus Readies Enhanced Crops for Push into Canada, and Beyond
After raising $57 million in a Series B round of venture funding, the San Diego agricultural biotech Cibus Global is laying the groundwork to introduce its first commercial product in Canada. Cibus introduced its first enhanced crop—an herbicide-resistant strain of canola—in the U.S. about two years ago, CEO Peter Beetham said Wednesday in an interview … Continue reading “Cibus Readies Enhanced Crops for Push into Canada, and Beyond”
DataRobot, Brightcove, Namogoo, Shelf & More New England Tech News
Here are some recent headlines from New England’s tech scene, including a leadership shakeup at Brightcove, more money for fast-growing data science software startup DataRobot, and investments in a pair of Connecticut companies. Read on for details. —Brightcove CEO David Mendels resigned from the online video hosting and marketing company in a “mutual agreement” with … Continue reading “DataRobot, Brightcove, Namogoo, Shelf & More New England Tech News”
Grail Names Chairman Bill Rastetter to Chief Executive Post
Bill Rastetter, chairman of cancer diagnostics developer Grail, has added the role of chief executive to his responsibilities at the Menlo Park, CA, company. With Rastetter’s appointment, Grail founding CEO Jeff Huber will become vice chairman of the board of directors. Grail also promoted chief business officer Ken Drazan to president. Grail spun out from … Continue reading “Grail Names Chairman Bill Rastetter to Chief Executive Post”
San Antonio Biomedical Group Awards Miami Healthcare Researcher
San Antonio — The San Antonio bioscience advocacy group BioMed SA is giving its annual innovation award to Leonard Pinchuk, a scientific researcher in Miami who has co-founded or incubated 10 companies. BioMed SA says it picked Pinchuk because of his work innovating cardiology and ophthalmology products. Pinchuk runs an incubator in Miami called Innovia, which … Continue reading “San Antonio Biomedical Group Awards Miami Healthcare Researcher”
Mattessich Starts as New Ocular CEO, Trims Staff in Cost-Saving Move
Antony Mattessich has formally started as CEO of Ocular Therapeutix and his first move as top executive is culling the company’s headcount by 19 percent. Bedford, MA-based Ocular (NASDAQ: [[ticker:OCUL]]), whose eye drug delivery device was recently rejected by the FDA, announced last month that Mattessich would succeed Amarpreet Sawhney as CEO. Upon the change, … Continue reading “Mattessich Starts as New Ocular CEO, Trims Staff in Cost-Saving Move”
Rice, UH Startups Pitch: Bedsores, Erectile Dysfunction & More
Houston—Not all of the startups that participate in a pitch day are actually viable companies. But, usually, each startup founder will take a place on stage extolling the virtues of their technologies, the unaddressed markets, and ask for mentors, industry connections, and money. Samantha Lewis, co-founder of SpecMobile, took a different tack. The Rice University … Continue reading “Rice, UH Startups Pitch: Bedsores, Erectile Dysfunction & More”
NextView Ventures Raises $50M for Third Early-Stage Tech Fund
Seed investments in early-stage companies around the country are slowing down, but some seed-stage venture firms in the Boston area apparently are having little trouble raising new funds. The latest example is NextView Ventures, which on Wednesday announced it closed a $50 million fund, the firm’s third. NextView was started in 2010 and raised $21 … Continue reading “NextView Ventures Raises $50M for Third Early-Stage Tech Fund”
Amgen’s Roger Sidhu Joins Cell Design Labs as Chief Medical Officer
Roger Sidhu has been appointed chief medical officer of Emeryville, CA-based Cell Design Labs. Sidhu most recently worked at Amgen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMGN]]), where he was global product general manager. His responsibilities there encompassed Amgen’s early-stage immune-oncology compounds. Cell Design Labs, which is based on research of Wendell Lim, a professor of cellular and molecular pharmacology … Continue reading “Amgen’s Roger Sidhu Joins Cell Design Labs as Chief Medical Officer”
Artaic Assembles $2.1M, Aims to Put Custom Mosaics in More Homes
Ted Acworth is inching closer to his goal of making the ancient art form of mosaics accessible to most 21st century homeowners. Acworth, a mechanical engineer and world traveler, started the Boston-based company Artaic a decade ago after he looked into decorating his home with custom tile mosaics, but discovered it would be too expensive … Continue reading “Artaic Assembles $2.1M, Aims to Put Custom Mosaics in More Homes”
MVCA Report Shines Light on Detroit’s Startup Growth and Challenges
For roughly the past five years, Detroit’s tech startup ecosystem has been growing at a rapid pace. However, accounts have differed as to just how much growth has occurred. A recent report by the Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) attempts to shine a light on the subject while detailing a couple of key findings. According … Continue reading “MVCA Report Shines Light on Detroit’s Startup Growth and Challenges”
San Diego’s Amplyx Raises $67M to Advance New Anti-Fungal Drug
After completing an early stage evaluation of its broad-spectrum anti-fungal drug, San Diego’s Amplyx Pharmaceuticals said Wednesday it has raised $67 million in a Series C financing round led by a new investor, Sofinnova Venture Partners. Ciara Kennedy, who succeeded Mike Grey as Amplyx CEO late last year, said in an interview with Xconomy that … Continue reading “San Diego’s Amplyx Raises $67M to Advance New Anti-Fungal Drug”