There’s a reason why the excitement in the mobile application development world has shifted to new platforms such as the Apple iPhone and Google’s Android operating system. It’s because it’s relatively easy to write and disseminate cool software for these systems, which offer a) lots of support for powerful graphics and communications, b) access to … Continue reading “Everypoint Introduces Slick Mobile Apps for the Non-iPhone Crowd”
Adventrx Pharmaceuticals Considers Selling Cancer Drugs
Adventrx Pharmaceuticals issued one of those press releases this morning that suggests the end is near. The San Diego-based cancer drug developer said today it is “exploring strategic options” that include a sale of one or more of its product candidates, or what it calls a “strategic business merger.” When your stock is trading at … Continue reading “Adventrx Pharmaceuticals Considers Selling Cancer Drugs”
Uptake Medical Raises $3M in Venture Capital
Uptake Medical, a Seattle-based medical device company, has raised $3 million to carry out a pair of small clinical trials that could show it has a viable technique for treating emphysema, and other deadly lung-obstructing diseases. The company got the cash as a “bridge” financing to carry out trials in Australia and Germany, which should … Continue reading “Uptake Medical Raises $3M in Venture Capital”
Mass Life Sci. Center Picks Waltham
The Massachsuetts Life Sciences Center—the agency in charge of the $1 billion stimulus plan for the state’s life sciences industry—announced today that it plans to lease 5,855 square feet of office space in Waltham, MA. Susan Windham-Bannister, president and CEO of the center, said in a statement that the new office in the suburbs is … Continue reading “Mass Life Sci. Center Picks Waltham”
Ignite Clean Energy Team Building
The Ignite Clean Energy (ICE) competition could be a great way to jump-start a new venture in this hot field. The 30 semi-finalist teams will get access to mentors in finance, business development, operations, and technology. The ICE Team Building events are set up to inform and encourage potential competitors. If you want to compete … Continue reading “Ignite Clean Energy Team Building”
Zumobi, REI Do Ski Reports
Seattle-based Zumobi and Recreational Equipment, Inc. have teamed up to release the REI Snow Report, a free software application for the iPhone, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile devices that lets consumers get information about ski-resort conditions. Zumobi, a mobile software startup, was founded in 2006 and is backed by Oak Investment Partners and Hunt Ventures.
MITX Video Series: Planning Your Online Video Strategy for 2009
Xconomy has dabbled in online video, so we believe it — “online video will be an integral part of the communication mix moving forward.” Join a panel of industry experts at this MITX event to hear about video initiatives, innovations, market needs and consumer demand.
MDRNA Gets Tentative FDA Approval
MDRNA (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MRNA]]), a Bothell, WA-based biotech company, said today it received tentative FDA approval of a generic version of calcitonin nasal spray for osteoporosis. The company can get full FDA approval in June, when a 180-day exclusivity period expires for Apotex, another generic maker. MDRNA now focuses on developing RNA interference drugs, not nasal … Continue reading “MDRNA Gets Tentative FDA Approval”
Konarka Gets $45M from Total
Lowell, MA-based Konarka, which is developing a process for making solar photovoltaic cells on flexible plastic, said today that it has secured a $45 million investment from Total, a Paris-based international oil and gas conglomerate. Konarka also said it has signed a bilateral R&D agreement with Total, which will become its single largest shareholder (owning … Continue reading “Konarka Gets $45M from Total”
Santarus Nabs U.S. Rights for Two Drugs in Cosmo Collaboration
San Diego specialty drug firm Santarus (NASDAQ:[[ticker:SNTS]]) says it has struck a deal with a unit of Italy-based Cosmo Pharmaceuticals (SIX:[[ticker:COPN]]) to commercialize two Cosmo drugs in the U.S. The drugs—which are extended-release versions of budesonide, a steroid, for ulcers and rifamycin, an antibiotic, for traveler’s diarrhea—are in clinical development in Europe and the U.S. … Continue reading “Santarus Nabs U.S. Rights for Two Drugs in Cosmo Collaboration”
Tysabri Patient Diagnosed With PML
Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]) said today that a patient has been diagnosed with a rare, and often fatal brain infection called PML while taking natalizumab (Tysabri). The Cambridge, MA-based biotech company, which markets the drug along with its partner, Ireland-based Elan, said the patient was in Europe, has a history of taking other immune-suppressors for … Continue reading “Tysabri Patient Diagnosed With PML”
SAIC Gets Lunar Mission Contract
San Diego defense contractor SAIC said today NASA has awarded the company a technology services contract to support its Constellation program at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. The company, also known as Science Applications International Corp., said the contract could be worth as much as $69 million over the next five years if all options are … Continue reading “SAIC Gets Lunar Mission Contract”
Fairchild Slashes 1,100 Jobs
Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE: [[ticker:FCS]]) of South Portland, ME, said last week that it will cut its worldwide employee base by 1,100 jobs, or about 12 percent, as part of a restructuring plan intended to help the chipmaker weather the economic downturn. There was no word on how many of the layoffs will affect Fairchild employees … Continue reading “Fairchild Slashes 1,100 Jobs”
FDA Approves BSX Renal Stent
Boston Scientific (NYSE:[[ticker:BSX]]), the Natick, MA-based medical devices giant, says that the FDA has approved its stent for certain patients who undergo surgeries to remove plaques from their renal arteries. The stent is designed to prop open renal arteries, which are the main source of blood to the kidneys.
Amgen Cancer Drug Getting Personal, Which May Be a Good Thing for Patients—and Sales
Amgen is preparing to make an unusual argument to an FDA advisory panel tomorrow. The world’s largest biotech company (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMGN]]), with research operations in Seattle and Cambridge, MA, plans to make a case that one of its drugs should be used by just a subgroup of patients with colorectal cancer who appear to be … Continue reading “Amgen Cancer Drug Getting Personal, Which May Be a Good Thing for Patients—and Sales”
Economy Makes Disease Foundations Get Choosier
The biotech industry is always on the lookout for cash, so one of the more positive developments of recent years has been the entrance of disease foundations into the pool of potential investors. Cambridge, MA-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:[[ticker:VRTX]]), for one, has said that their efforts to develop VX-770 for treating cystic fibrosis wouldn’t be possible … Continue reading “Economy Makes Disease Foundations Get Choosier”
Got $10M? Seattle Chapter of Tiger 21 May Be For You (Part 2)
On Friday, we reported that Tiger 21, a New York-based network and support group for the very wealthy, is setting up a Seattle chapter, headed by the local entrepreneur and investor Andy Sack. (Tiger 21 had planned to announce the news today, but another media outlet jumped the gun on Friday.) The point of Tiger … Continue reading “Got $10M? Seattle Chapter of Tiger 21 May Be For You (Part 2)”
Brain Cells Inc., No Dummy, Raised $50M Before Recession Got Really Ugly
At least in the world of finance, Brain Cells Inc. can make a credible claim that it has a little more going on upstairs than your average biotech company. The San Diego-based startup had flawless timing, by completing a $50 million Series B financing back in April, before venture capital became really hard to come … Continue reading “Brain Cells Inc., No Dummy, Raised $50M Before Recession Got Really Ugly”
California Stem Cell Agency Awards Grants, Cohu Buys German Rival, Amylin Gets Go-Ahead, & More San Diego BizTech News
Venture and private equity firms apparently have clamped down on much of their funding activities in San Diego, but some local firms were able to take advantage of state and federal sources of cash last week. We also saw the Food and Drug Administration give Amylin a break and Qualcomm’s top executives offer their outlook … Continue reading “California Stem Cell Agency Awards Grants, Cohu Buys German Rival, Amylin Gets Go-Ahead, & More San Diego BizTech News”
Scallop Imaging Security Cameras Give New Meaning to All-Seeing
With only two eyes apiece, spanning a mere 180-degree field of view, humans have an innately limited understanding of what it means to see. Some insects have compound eyes with hundreds or thousands of facets that can form a nearly 360-degree picture of the world around them. The shells of many scallop species are rimmed … Continue reading “Scallop Imaging Security Cameras Give New Meaning to All-Seeing”
Konarka Technologies Garners $45,000,000 New Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=e1581356-935a-4a27-9f5a-9aaa9f925a70&Preview=1 Date 12/15/2008 Company Name Konarka Technologies Mailing Address 116 John Street Lowell, MA 01852 Company Description Konarka builds power plastic that converts light to energy anywhere. The company develops and manufactures light-activated power plastic that is inexpensive, lightweight, flexible and versatile. Website http://www.konarka.com Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount $45,000,000 Transaction … Continue reading “Konarka Technologies Garners $45,000,000 New Funding”
NetShelter Technology Media Secures $11,100,000 Series A Financing Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=83a7dab1-16a3-40a1-9803-b2fbaaf985f9&Preview=1 Date 12/15/2008 Company Name NetShelter Technology Media Mailing Address 128 King Street San Francisco, CA 94107 Company Description NetShelter Technology Media brings together a publisher network of over 150 tech content sites alongside owned-and-operated programs to offer marketers a highly integrated, customizable platform. Website http://www.netshelter.net Transaction Type Venture Equity Transaction Amount … Continue reading “NetShelter Technology Media Secures $11,100,000 Series A Financing Round”
Discera Secures Series D Funding Round
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=113c1601-ffc7-47fb-acc7-d3251c79992d&Preview=1 Date 12/15/2008 Company Name Discera Mailing Address 1961 Concourse Drive San Jose, CA 95131 Company Description Discera is a fabless analog semiconductor company that offers tiny, high performance silicon resonators for the frequency and timing control markets. These resonators act as the heartbeat or pulse for a variety of devices from … Continue reading “Discera Secures Series D Funding Round”
128 Innovation Capital Group
The latest speaker in the 128 Innovation Capital Group’s regular breakfast meetings is Luis Barros, Senior Vice President Industry Relations, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. According to the billing, which you can see all of here, “Mr. Barros will share the plans the Center has to invest in innovative companies in the Life Sciences.” Coffee and … Continue reading “128 Innovation Capital Group”
Start-up Clinic
Chinese food and startups. That’s the combination the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge uses for its regular Start-up clinics held at the Royal East restaurant near Central Square in Cambridge. At each meeting, attendees get to hear first-hand from a few startup CEOs about their businesses. This one is scheduled, but speakers haven’t been announced … Continue reading “Start-up Clinic”
MIT Enterprise Forum Concept Clinic
The Technology Concept Clinics offered by the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge are designed to offer insights into what it takes to take cool technology ideas or concepts and turn them into successful products or companies. The subject of this upcoming clinice hadn’t been announced as of this writing, but registration is here.
Semprus BioSciences Secures $8,000,000 Series A Funding
Feed Type Link http://www.venturedeal.com/Search/SearchResultTransactionDetail.aspx?TransactionId=24c711d8-4ae0-4fff-a92d-af6606c063e9&Preview=1 Date 12/14/2008 Company Name Semprus BioSciences Mailing Address One Kendall Street Building 1400, 1st Floor Cambridge, MA 02139 Company Description Semprus BioSciences is a venture-backed biotechnology company developing functional surfaces to prevent medical device complications. Our initial product development efforts are focused on the first implantable and permanently antimicrobial surface technology. … Continue reading “Semprus BioSciences Secures $8,000,000 Series A Funding”
Yapta Raises $2.7M, Looks for More
Seattle-based Yapta, an online travel service that tracks airfares for consumers, has raised $2.7 million in funding from undisclosed investors, according to a company spokesman. The funding round is still open, so that figure could change in the next month. Yapta launched in May 2007 and is backed by First Round Capital, Voyager Capital, Swiftsure … Continue reading “Yapta Raises $2.7M, Looks for More”
TechTarget Cuts 76, Shutters Two Magazines
Needham, MA-based technology media publisher TechTarget (NASDAQ: [[ticker:TTGT]]) said in an SEC filing Thursday that it plans to cut costs by laying off 76 employees, or about 12 percent of its total workforce. The company also said it will shut down its two print publications, Storage Magazine and Information Security Magazine. We’ve updated the Boston … Continue reading “TechTarget Cuts 76, Shutters Two Magazines”
Got $10M? Seattle Chapter of Tiger 21 May Be For You (Part 1)
Think the super-rich don’t have problems? Try fending off friends and relatives who always want to borrow money, or raising spoiled brats who don’t take responsibility for their actions. Not to mention the more obvious financial questions of how to manage such hefty portfolios—especially in economic times like these. (Granted, some of this might be … Continue reading “Got $10M? Seattle Chapter of Tiger 21 May Be For You (Part 1)”
Invest Northwest: The Life Sciences Investor Conference
Invest Northwest is the leading investment conference for the Pacific Northwest life science community. This conference provides bioscience companies an ideal venue to network, identify opportunities and expose the investment community to the width and breadth of this regions’ life science sector. Companies present business plans to an international audience of investors ranging from certified … Continue reading “Invest Northwest: The Life Sciences Investor Conference”
25 Workers Let Go at GT Solar
GT Solar (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SOLR]]), a maker of equipment for manufacturing photovoltaic solar cells, said today that it will lay off 25 production workers at its Merrimack, NH, plant. The cuts, a reaction to requests from GT Solar’s customers for delayed shipment of solar furnaces, represent just over 8 percent of the company’s work force. We’ve … Continue reading “25 Workers Let Go at GT Solar”
Our Family Tree Unveiled: The Visual History of the Puget Sound Technology Industry
The Washington Technology Industry Association will release the results of a year long project to document the history of the Puget Sound technology industry. Working with researchers at Virginia Tech and Seattle University, the WTIA has created the first picture of the foundational companies in the industry. Heike Mayer of Virginia Tech, Jeremy Jaech, the … Continue reading “Our Family Tree Unveiled: The Visual History of the Puget Sound Technology Industry”
Hutch Award Luncheon: Honoring Red Sox Pitcher Jon Lester
The Hutch Award luncheon will be held Jan. 21 at Safeco Field on the Left Field playing surface. This year’s event will honor Jon Lester, a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, and a native of Tacoma, WA, who fought back cancer to return to the major leagues. Lester was 16-6 wiht a 3.21 … Continue reading “Hutch Award Luncheon: Honoring Red Sox Pitcher Jon Lester”
Science & Technology Discovery Series: UW’s Raymond Huey on Survival Patterns of Himalayan Climbers
The Science & Technology Discovery Series will host a talk on Jan. 9 by Raymond Huey, an evolutionary physiologist at the University of Washington. Huey will focus on the study of survival patterns of Himalayan mountain climbers. To see the full season’s lineup, or to register, click here.
What’s Next for Advertising–Online and Offline?
Fortunes will be won and lost through the advertising and marketing decisions individuals and companies make in the next year. An explosion of content, advertising platforms, and display mediums have made the process of selecting and buying advertising more complex than ever, while the pressure to deliver measurable results increases daily. The MIT Enterprise Forum … Continue reading “What’s Next for Advertising–Online and Offline?”
Life Sciences Day in Olympia
The Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association is holding its annual life sciences day in Olympia on Jan. 27, for meetings with lawmakers. The event is free to WBBA members. The WBBA has arranged for express bus from Seattle to Olympia. For more information, click here.
Dude! San Diego’s Connect Gives Surf Board Maker (And 8 Others) Technology Award
Against the backdrop of a worsening recession, San Diego’s innovation community came together for the 21st annual “Most Innovative Products” awards luncheon today in La Jolla. The event is intended to showcase new products introduced over the past year in eight categories that reflect technology clusters, such as wireless communications, medical devices, and aerospace and … Continue reading “Dude! San Diego’s Connect Gives Surf Board Maker (And 8 Others) Technology Award”
Tick Tock. The Deadline to Enter the Battle of The Tech Bands is Midnight Tonight
Just a friendly reminder to all of you who trade pipettes, protractors, and powerpoints for whammy bars and hi hats at the end of the day: The deadline to enter Xconomy’s second annual Battle of the Tech Bands is midnight tonight. It’s shaping up to be a spectacular show and the prizes are pretty sweet, … Continue reading “Tick Tock. The Deadline to Enter the Battle of The Tech Bands is Midnight Tonight”
Melodeo Teams with Salvation Army on iPhone
Seattle-based Melodeo, a digital-music startup, is powering the Salvation Army’s holiday music iPhone application, which was announced yesterday. The software, available from the iPhone Application Store for $2.99, streams a selection of holiday tunes to your phone, with unlimited listening. Proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army charity.
Sonus Networks Cuts 50 Employees
Westford, MA-based Sonus Networks (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SONS]]), which makes servers, switches, and software for Internet-based residential and business telephony, said yesterday that it will lay off 50 employees, or roughly 5 percent of its global workforce, as part of a cost-management plan. The company did not say how many of the affected employees worked from the … Continue reading “Sonus Networks Cuts 50 Employees”
GSK Pays Synta $15M
Lexington, MA-based cancer drug developer Synta Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SNTA]]) announced it has earned a $15 million milestone payment from GlaxoSmithKline. The pyament is part of a deal inked last October and worth up to $1.1 billion that focuses on Synta’s elesclomol, which is currently in Phase 3 testing as a treatment for metastatic melanoma.
Microvision Lands $750K Eyewear Contract
Redmond, WA-based Microvision, a mobile imaging and display company, announced it has been awarded a $750,000 contract to begin developing a high-definition, see-through eyewear display. The name of the customer was not disclosed. The wearable display is designed to be full-color and transparent to the surroundings.
Momenta Raises $24.1M From Select Investors
Momenta Pharmaceuticals, the Cambridge, MA-based developer of generic versions of complex drugs, said today it has received commitments from investors to bet another $24.1 million on the company. The investors are buying 2.8 million shares at $9 a share. The money will be used for manufacturing, clinical trial costs, and potential acquisitions of companies and … Continue reading “Momenta Raises $24.1M From Select Investors”
DivX Cuts 21 From San Diego Payroll
A spokesman for San Diego’s DivX (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DIVX]]) confirms today the online digital video provider has laid off 21 employees, or nearly 10 percent of its San Diego workforce. We first saw the layoffs reported at TechCrunch. DivX disclosed earlier this month that its chief technology officer resigned, and it’s not clear if these cutbacks were … Continue reading “DivX Cuts 21 From San Diego Payroll”
Vaccines Force Their Way off Pharma’s Back Burner, as Price Increases Help Fuel New Wave of Innovation
A newfound energy is coalescing around the science and business of vaccines, and much of it is happening right here in Seattle. We explored the trend yesterday evening in our first Xconomy Forum in Seattle. The event, held at The Institute for Systems Biology, attracted more than 85 people for an hour of panel discussion … Continue reading “Vaccines Force Their Way off Pharma’s Back Burner, as Price Increases Help Fuel New Wave of Innovation”
Ex-Software CEO Sentenced to 8 Years in Fraud
Stephen Gardner, the former CEO of San Diego’s scandal-ridden enterprise software giant Peregrine Systems, was sentenced yesterday to eight years in prison for helping inflate Peregrine’s revenue. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Gardner told a federal judge in San Diego yesterday, “I did hide problems in the hope that they would be fixed and … Continue reading “Ex-Software CEO Sentenced to 8 Years in Fraud”
Verve Wireless Adds 6 Media Content Partners
San Diego’s Verve Wireless, which provides technologies that optimize local media content for wireless devices, says it has reached partnership agreements with six publications, including the Chicago Sun-Times, The San Diego Union-Tribune, and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Financial terms were not disclosed. Verve, founded by a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter from the Philadelphia Inquirer, also provides news … Continue reading “Verve Wireless Adds 6 Media Content Partners”
Energy Innovation and the Economy: New England Speaks Out on Video
During the networking-and-refreshments portion of Xconomy’s forum on Energy Innovation at the British Consulate General in Cambridge, MA, last week, we pulled aside a few volunteers to share their personal thoughts about energy innovation on camera. We’ve rolled the most interesting responses together into the 10-minute video at the end of this post. Xconomy’s business … Continue reading “Energy Innovation and the Economy: New England Speaks Out on Video”
Lightwave Power Closes Series A Round
Lightwave Power, a Cambridge, MA, startup developing a roll-to-roll process for manufacturing solar cells on flexible substrates, said today that it has closed a Series A financing round led by Quercus Trust, a stealthy Southern California investment group. 21Ventures of New York was named as a co-investor. Lightwave’s announcement did not disclose the amount of … Continue reading “Lightwave Power Closes Series A Round”