Forget the Shortcuts: Creating a Truly Innovative Biotech Culture

Watching the acquisition of Genentech by Roche has been a fascinating process. I wasn’t so interested in the eventual price paid per share, but whether Basel, Switzerland-based Roche, one of the oldest and most traditional pharma companies, could preserve the special science-based culture at Genentech that made it the world’s pre-eminent biotech company. Would Genentech’s … Continue reading “Forget the Shortcuts: Creating a Truly Innovative Biotech Culture”

The Fastest Growing Startups in Boston, Seattle, and SoCal

Behind the stubborn economic clouds, there may be a few hints of blue sky. A few companies, in other words, are hiring rather than firing—and a new report from StartUpHire, a Vienna, VA-based job board that specializes in advertising open positions at venture-backed startups, has the lowdown on which ones (see the lists below). As … Continue reading “The Fastest Growing Startups in Boston, Seattle, and SoCal”

Dendreon May Not Survive Its Success: Q&A with Founder Chris Henney, Part 1

Christopher Henney’s career in biotechnology looks like a three-act drama over three decades. He’s a classically-trained immunologist who went on to be the co-founder of Seattle’s three most successful biotech companies when ranked by stock market value—Immunex, Icos, and Dendreon. Henney, now 68, pushed Dendreon on its odyssey when he joined as CEO in 1995. … Continue reading “Dendreon May Not Survive Its Success: Q&A with Founder Chris Henney, Part 1”

Joule Biotechnologies, Developer of Solar Fuel, Launches with Visions of U.S. Energy Independence

Joule Biotechnologies is officially launching today to reveal technology that is designed to mimic photosynthesis to produce liquid fuels and chemicals. The startup says it can produce ethanol at prices competitive with fossil fuels while avoiding some of the pitfalls of making ethanol with corn, switch grass, or other plant materials. The firm says its … Continue reading “Joule Biotechnologies, Developer of Solar Fuel, Launches with Visions of U.S. Energy Independence”

Avila Therapeutics Receives $30,000,000 Series B Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=1f7789ec-f401-4475-858f-73c4271aba5a&Preview=1 Date 7/27/2009 Company Name Avila Therapeutics Mailing Address 100 Beaver Street Waltham, MA 02453 Company Description Avila Therapeutics, Inc., is a venture-backed company focused on the discovery and development of novel small molecule therapeutics to address significant unmet clinical needs with an initial focus on cancer and viral diseases. Website http://www.avilatx.com … Continue reading “Avila Therapeutics Receives $30,000,000 Series B Financing”

Rayspan Obtains $12,500,000 Series B Funding Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=48d60b8a-851f-4672-b6ce-f8666b8bf3bc&Preview=1 Date 7/27/2009 Company Name Rayspan Mailing Address 11975 El Camino Real San Diego, CA 92130-2543 Company Description Rayspan Corporation is the world’s leading innovator of revolutionary metamaterial air interface solutions for high performance wireless communication networks. Metamaterials are emerging as the most important advance in air interface technology in decades. They … Continue reading “Rayspan Obtains $12,500,000 Series B Funding Round”

Mixamo Garners $4,000,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=dbc29560-076c-4d55-80d2-2a6527b37a0f&Preview=1 Date 7/27/2009 Company Name Mixamo Mailing Address Undisclosed San Francisco, CA 94100 Company Description Mixamo gives you the power to create production-quality character animations in a fraction of the time that traditional motion capture and keyframing require. Website http://www.mixamo.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $4,000,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes … Continue reading “Mixamo Garners $4,000,000 New Financing”

Egnyte Secures $6,000,000 Series A Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=91d39e94-e061-402f-9309-4640bf75fe8b&Preview=1 Date 7/27/2009 Company Name Egnyte Mailing Address 2672 Bayshore Parkway Mountain View, CA 94043 Company Description Egnyte is run by a team of seasoned executives with a strong track record of building companies in the Hi technology sector. Drawn from companies such as Oracle, Cisco and others, the Egnyte team has … Continue reading “Egnyte Secures $6,000,000 Series A Round”

Space Pencil Receives $2,900,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e972d8e0-22e1-495e-8948-4fa2d180dee6&Preview=1 Date 7/27/2009 Company Name Space Pencil Mailing Address 1565 Brunswig Lane Emeryville, CA 94608 Company Description The company develops computers and peripherals. Website Undisclosed Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,900,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture Investor True Ventures Venture Investor SoftTech VC … Continue reading “Space Pencil Receives $2,900,000 New Financing Round”

Schooner Information Technology Receives $20,000,000 Series B Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=722dad15-deee-4003-82e9-9c9addc99dd4&Preview=1 Date 7/27/2009 Company Name Schooner Information Technology Mailing Address 501 Macara Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Company Description The company’s goal is to “help financial sector and Internet consumer-facing companies achieve high performance and scalability at a fraction of their current costs.” Website http://www.schoonerinfotech.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $20,000,000 Transaction … Continue reading “Schooner Information Technology Receives $20,000,000 Series B Funding”

Quantenna Communications Obtains $44,000,000 Series C Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=c9ef4838-d796-431e-9a5d-aefb5ee7e825&Preview=1 Date 7/27/2009 Company Name Quantenna Communications Mailing Address 3450 W Warren Ave Fremont, CA 94538 Company Description Quantenna Communications Inc., is a fabless semiconductor company creating disruptive next generation MIMO based wireless chips with game-changing size, power, and performance characteristics. Website http://www.quantenna.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $44,000,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “Quantenna Communications Obtains $44,000,000 Series C Financing Round”

Agilent Technologies Acquires Varian for $1,500,000,000

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=acab5417-01b9-403f-902b-3308b01a2ded&Preview=1 Date 7/27/2009 Company Name Varian Mailing Address 3120 Hansen Way Palo Alto, CA 94304 Company Description Varian, Inc. (Nasdaq: VARI) engages in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, sale, and service of scientific instruments and vacuum products. Website http://www.varianinc.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction Amount $1,500,000,000 Transaction Round Proceeds Purposes M&A Terms Agilent … Continue reading “Agilent Technologies Acquires Varian for $1,500,000,000”

Sparxent Acquires Cemaphore Systems for Undisclosed Sum

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=89719c91-ff4c-48c5-850c-58e015547729&Preview=1 Date 7/27/2009 Company Name Cemaphore Systems Mailing Address 1825 South Grant Street San Mateo, CA 94402 Company Description Cemaphore Systems has identified several issues that plagued its customers. This resulted in a set of software tools dedicated to the management and acceleration of messaging systems. Website http://www.cemaphore.com Transaction Type M&A Transaction … Continue reading “Sparxent Acquires Cemaphore Systems for Undisclosed Sum”

General Fusion, Developer of Novel Nuclear Fusion Method, Raises $9M in Venture Financing

General Fusion, a Burnaby, BC-based company that hopes to generate clean energy from a new form of nuclear fusion, has raised $9 million out of a $12.5 million equity offering, Xconomy has learned. The company isn’t disclosing who invested in the round, although it includes a syndicate from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, … Continue reading “General Fusion, Developer of Novel Nuclear Fusion Method, Raises $9M in Venture Financing”

Emerging Technologies Conference @MIT

The 2009 Emerging Technologies Conference @MIT will combine discussions about the future of technology with workshops on subjects like how to turn technological developments into profitable companies.  According to the website: “The annual EmTech@MIT conference gives you access to the most innovative labs, companies, and entrepreneurs from around the world and shows you where to … Continue reading “Emerging Technologies Conference @MIT”

MIT Enterprise Forum

The MIT Enterprise Forum will host a start-up clinic with a panel of speakers to talk about how startup companies can best succeed.  To register, visit the website.

Connected Health Symposium

The 2009 Connected Health Symposium will combine keynote addresses and discussion sessions to talk about the future of healthcare.  According to the website: “The Connected Health Symposium asks how information technology — cell phones, computers, the Internet and other tools — can help people manage chronic conditions, maintain health and wellness, and age with independence. … Continue reading “Connected Health Symposium”

2009 Life Sciences & Healthcare Venture Summit

The 2009 Life Sciences & Healthcare Venture Summit brings together representatives from all over the bioscience and biotech spectrum. Speakers will include companies seeking funding, venture capitalists looking for investments and speaking about funding, and networking events. To register, visit the event website

Boston Biotech R&D Conference

The third annual Boston Biotech R&D Conference will be sponsored by Pure Communications and the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. Speakers will include representatives of research, corporate and venture capital groups from around the world. Register here.

Limeade Laps Up $2.4M

Limeade, a Bellevue, WA-based health IT company, raised $2.4 million of a $3 million equity offering, according to an SEC filing yesterday. The investors were not disclosed. Limeade provides software to companies that helps employees reach wellness goals like losing weight or quitting smoking, by helping them track their progress and providing employer-sponsored incentives. Some of … Continue reading “Limeade Laps Up $2.4M”

Calypso Forms Deal With Varian

Calypso Medical Technologies, the Seattle-based developer of a device to pinpoint radiation therapy for prostate cancer, said today it has formed a partnership with Palo Alto, CA-based Varian Medical Systems, the world’s leading maker of medical devices and software for cancer treatment. The two companies will jointly develop products to incorporate the Calypso technology into … Continue reading “Calypso Forms Deal With Varian”

Dreambox Lands Distributor

Bellevue, WA-based Dreambox Learning, an education software startup, announced yesterday that Pearson Canada, the largest education publisher in Canada, will distribute its online math education system to schools and customers throughout Canada. Financial details were not released. Dreambox, started in 2006, launched its math learning program designed for students in kindergarten through second grade in … Continue reading “Dreambox Lands Distributor”

Targeted Genetics Amends Lease

Targeted Genetics, the Seattle-based developer of gene therapies, said today it has amended the lease on its 38,000-square foot headquarters to get a reduced rate from June through August, and then providing $45,000 and “reasonable credit assurances” to its landlord by Aug. 31. If the company can’t provide those assurances, the landlord can terminate the … Continue reading “Targeted Genetics Amends Lease”

Matrix Closes $600M Investment Fund(s)

Waltham, MA-based Matrix Partners has closed its ninth fund, raising $600 million for investments in software, mobile, consumer internet, communications, and systems startups, according to a press release. While the announcement only mentions one fund, PE Hub reported today, following up on its report earlier this week, that two funds were actually raised—the main Matrix … Continue reading “Matrix Closes $600M Investment Fund(s)”

Targeted Growth Plots Future as Agricultural Biotech, Cleantech Pioneer

If you owned a method that can make plants grow bigger and faster on every acre of land, what would you do to best exploit it? Targeted Growth CEO Tom Todaro is hedging his company’s bets 50-50, wagering that his Seattle-based firm will become a player in two potentially huge industries—agriculture and clean energy. If … Continue reading “Targeted Growth Plots Future as Agricultural Biotech, Cleantech Pioneer”

Project Tuva or Bust: How Microsoft’s Spin on Feynman Could Change the Way We Learn

“I don’t know what’s the matter with people: they don’t learn by understanding, they learn by some other way—by rote or something,” physicist Richard Feynman once said. “Their knowledge is so fragile!” Maybe Feynman’s brain was big enough to simply “learn by understanding”—sucking in and comprehending complex realities in a single glance. But what I … Continue reading “Project Tuva or Bust: How Microsoft’s Spin on Feynman Could Change the Way We Learn”

UW Profs, Tech Execs Talk Next-Generation Graphics, Imaging, and Interfaces for Games

Four professors from the University of Washington’s department of computer science and engineering recently presented their cutting-edge research to a private audience of tech executives and investors active in the game industry in downtown Seattle. The Interactive Media Technology Showcase was hosted on Wednesday by UW TechTransfer and enterpriseSeattle, and coincided with the Casual Connect … Continue reading “UW Profs, Tech Execs Talk Next-Generation Graphics, Imaging, and Interfaces for Games”

Startups Just Want to Have Funds: A Roundup of Recent San Diego Deals

Venture deals seem to be picking up again in the San Diego region. A number of local startups have been raising capital, according to recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of the deals are relatively small, suggesting that VC firms are still being conservative in their investments following what seemed like … Continue reading “Startups Just Want to Have Funds: A Roundup of Recent San Diego Deals”

$8M More for Acquia, Novartis-Alnylam Collaboration Continues, Virtualization Firm Akiba Acquires $6.53M, & More Boston-Area Deals News

I’ve got a nice variety of deals—particularly venture financings—to tell you about this week. —Swiss drug giant Novartis opted to extend a collaboration with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:[[ticker:ALNY]]) of Cambridge, MA, for a fifth year. Under the extension, Novartis will continue to fund certain RNA interference research and development efforts at Alnylam through October 2010. —Software … Continue reading “$8M More for Acquia, Novartis-Alnylam Collaboration Continues, Virtualization Firm Akiba Acquires $6.53M, & More Boston-Area Deals News”

Limeade Receives $2,400,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e4ef8829-68b8-41bd-a2a3-02ad38e63ac2&Preview=1 Date 7/24/2009 Company Name Limeade Mailing Address 2002 156th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98007 Company Description Limeade is a health IT company. Website http://www.limeade.com/ Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $2,400,000 Transaction Round Undisclosed Proceeds Purposes Proceeds purposes were not disclosed. M&A Terms Venture Investor Undisclosed

The Future of Gaming Is Purveying Sin, Says VC Tim Chang

“Gaming will save us all,” proclaimed Tim Chang this morning. A principal at Norwest Venture Partners, a venture capital firm out of Palo Alto, CA, Chang spoke at Casual Connect Seattle, the three-day casual video game conference that ends this evening. Chang’s topic was emerging trends in casual gaming, and as a proud gamer since … Continue reading “The Future of Gaming Is Purveying Sin, Says VC Tim Chang”

Archemix Signs MicroRNA Deal

Cambridge, MA-based Archemix, the developer of a new class of drug called aptamers, said today it has formed an R&D collaboration with Boulder, CO-based miRagen Therapeutics, a developer of microRNA treatments. The two companies will plan to attach aptamer drugs to microRNA molecules with a goal of delivering the compounds inside cells. Both companies will … Continue reading “Archemix Signs MicroRNA Deal”

Report: OVP’s M2E Sold to Motionetics

Boise, ID-based M2E Power, an energy startup funded by OVP Venture Partners, has been acquired by fellow Idaho firm Motionetics for an undisclosed price, according to VatorNews. OVP said it is not disclosing details at this time. The Kirkland, WA-based venture firm led an $8 million Series A investment in M2E in 2007.

No More Tears: Avanir Investors Await Trial Results on Emotional Outburst Drug

Avanir Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AVNR]]) has been working for so long on a drug for an odd neurological syndrome that triggers involuntary laughter and tears, it’s almost enough to make some investors cry. Soon they will learn if the wait has been worth it. In the next few weeks, the onetime San Diego biotech now just over … Continue reading “No More Tears: Avanir Investors Await Trial Results on Emotional Outburst Drug”

Amazon’s Acquisition of Zappos Is “A Good Thing for Kiva,” Says Robot Company’s CEO

Much of the buzz about Amazon’s surprise announcement yesterday that it is acquiring popular online shoe retailer Zappos for more than $900 million is about whether the Las Vegas-based company really needed to sell, or was pressured to do so by its main venture backer, Sequoia Capital. But the first thing I wondered when I … Continue reading “Amazon’s Acquisition of Zappos Is “A Good Thing for Kiva,” Says Robot Company’s CEO”

Korean Agency Fines Qualcomm $208M

Following a three-year inquiry and a seven-day hearing, the Korean Fair Trade Commission has fined Qualcomm $208 million and ordered the San Diego wireless chipmaker to end its unfair business practices in South Korea. In a statement, Qualcomm says it disagrees with the ruling and plans to appeal. Korean press reports say it is the largest fine to … Continue reading “Korean Agency Fines Qualcomm $208M”

Orexigen Raises $70M

Orexigen Therapeutics, the San Diego-based developer of an experimental obesity drug, said today it has raised $70.9 million through a stock offering. The company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:OREX]]) sold 10 million shares at $7.50 apiece, then subtracted underwriting discounts and expenses. Orexigen announced earlier in the week that three large clinical trials of 4,500 patients reached their … Continue reading “Orexigen Raises $70M”

Are You Ready to Rock? Listen to Xconomy’s Battle of the Tech Bands Finalists Here

It’s all about the party. It’s all about the networking. No. For today, at least, it’s all about the rock. Seattle’s first-ever Battle of the Tech Bands is happening one week from tonight, on July 30, at the Pyramid Alehouse. The music starts at 6 pm. Xconomy is teaming up with WTIA to bring this … Continue reading “Are You Ready to Rock? Listen to Xconomy’s Battle of the Tech Bands Finalists Here”

VC Biotech Funding Rebounds, Biogen Idec Co-Founder Resigns From Board, Pathway Genomics Debuts $250 Personal Genome Test, & More San Diego Life Sciences News

Venture capital funding for San Diego’s life sciences companies was surprisingly strong from April through June—with another deal announced this week. —One of the key trends to be teased out of venture capital investment data for the second quarter of this year is that VC funding for life science companies rebounded to record levels. In San … Continue reading “VC Biotech Funding Rebounds, Biogen Idec Co-Founder Resigns From Board, Pathway Genomics Debuts $250 Personal Genome Test, & More San Diego Life Sciences News”

The Big Idea at Acme Packet: Smoothing the Way for Voice and Video on the Internet

You’re an unfunded early-stage startup and your sole venture backer sends you a check for millions of dollars. Unfortunately, it’s made out to the wrong company name, so you can’t deposit it. What do you do? You change your name, of course. That’s how Primary Networks became Acme Packet. The Burlington, MA, maker of Internet … Continue reading “The Big Idea at Acme Packet: Smoothing the Way for Voice and Video on the Internet”

ZymoGenetics Picks Up Mojo, Dendreon Looks Southeast, Cell Therapeutics Raises Dough & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News

This week biotech, both locally and nationally, showed some real swagger in its step. Human Genome Sciences turned into a rocket ship, Medarex made investors a fortune, and Onyx Pharmaceuticals surprised the street with positive news against breast cancer. You can bet this rising tide will lift other boats as investors prowl around for the … Continue reading “ZymoGenetics Picks Up Mojo, Dendreon Looks Southeast, Cell Therapeutics Raises Dough & More Seattle-Area Life Sciences News”

What’s an Entrepreneur To Do? Amidst Mixed Signals for Economic Recovery, Four Experts Share Strategies for Startup and Business Success

The economic climate these days reminds me of the famous line about the weather at the “Crosby Clambake” golf tournament (now the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am) held each February on California’s Monterey peninsula, in unpredictable conditions that shift quickly from sun to cold and rain: “There’s plenty of it.” So it seemed a good … Continue reading “What’s an Entrepreneur To Do? Amidst Mixed Signals for Economic Recovery, Four Experts Share Strategies for Startup and Business Success”

Orexigen Therapeutics Receives $70,000,000 New Financing

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=d35e0d25-e602-4af9-9fc8-626fc99735fd&Preview=1 Date 7/23/2009 Company Name Orexigen Therapeutics Mailing Address 3344 N. Torrey Pines Court La Jolla, CA 92037 Company Description OREXIGEN is studying a novel, and potentially more effective way, to achieve and sustain weight loss through a combined, two-drug approach. Website http://www.orexigen.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $70,000,000 Transaction Round … Continue reading “Orexigen Therapeutics Receives $70,000,000 New Financing”

Augmenix Garners $4,700,000 New Financing Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=0ac23d83-8ee1-42f2-b733-85259025217e&Preview=1 Date 7/23/2009 Company Name Augmenix Mailing Address 204 2nd Avenue Waltham, MA 02451 Company Description Augmenix™, Inc. is a privately held medical device company developing in-situ formed, space-filling hydrogels specifically for radiation oncology and cancer surgery indications. Augmenix, Inc.’s initial product will be the first synthetic tissue spacer designed and indicated … Continue reading “Augmenix Garners $4,700,000 New Financing Round”

CitySquares Online Lands $322,500 New Funding

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=249e9f31-5b9b-446e-b26c-fb67463cd10c&Preview=1 Date 7/23/2009 Company Name CitySquares Online Mailing Address 580 Harrison Ave, 4th Floor Boston, MA 02118 Company Description We are most certainly, first and foremost, and undoubtedly about local businesses and local communities. We’re about your neighborhood, and where you get your hair cut, meet your friends for coffee, have a … Continue reading “CitySquares Online Lands $322,500 New Funding”

Kontera Garners $15,500,000 New Round

Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=86e4ea76-ce87-415c-8554-06cf8a1a5af5&Preview=1 Date 7/23/2009 Company Name Kontera Mailing Address 1550 Bryant St. San Francisco, CA 94103 Company Description Kontera is a leading provider of In-Text Advertising Solutions, based on patent-pending contextual analysis technology that increases revenue and ROI for Web publishers and advertisers. Website http://www.kontera.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $15,500,000 Transaction … Continue reading “Kontera Garners $15,500,000 New Round”