[Updated 3/14/17, 4:09 p.m. See below.] Since you might be snowed in today, it seems like a good time to hunker down with some recent Boston-area tech news. Here is the latest: —Evolv Technology, a Waltham, MA-based security technology startup, has closed an $18 million Series B funding round from Lux Capital, Bill Gates, General … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Harmonix, Whoop, Brand Networks, VentureApp & More”
Biden’s Comments on Challenges in Cancer Care Highlight SXSW Talk
Austin—Technologists need to develop the interstate highway system for healthcare. That was one of the themes at the South By Southwest Interactive conference Sunday, in comments made by doctors, investors, entrepreneurs, and the former vice president of the United States. “I can take my cell phone and find out movie times, or track a check … Continue reading “Biden’s Comments on Challenges in Cancer Care Highlight SXSW Talk”
ClearObject Expects New Collaborative Opportunities at Fishers IoT Lab
Last month, CloudOne, the Fishers, IN-based startup focused on building, operating, and integrating cloud-based technologies, changed its name to ClearObject. John McDonald, ClearObject CEO, says the new name reflects the company’s evolution beyond cloud provider to “Internet of Things innovator”—an evolution further solidified by ClearObject’s decision to be the founding member of a new IoT … Continue reading “ClearObject Expects New Collaborative Opportunities at Fishers IoT Lab”
Visible Measures Sold to AcuityAds for $10M in Video Adtech
One of Boston’s biggest bets in advertising tech has been acquired for a fraction of what investors pumped into it. Visible Measures, a video analytics company, is getting scooped up by Toronto, Canada-based AcuityAds for $10 million in cash. The deal is expected to close around the end of March. Visible Measures was founded in … Continue reading “Visible Measures Sold to AcuityAds for $10M in Video Adtech”
Possible Cures. Mystery Deaths. Daunting Costs. Can CAR-T Be Tamed?
It’s a struggle that comic-book fans know well. Ordinary people, bestowed with super powers from a spider bite or gamma rays, struggle to harness their own abilities. T cells, key soldiers of the immune system, are wrestling with new-found super powers, too. Certain T cells hunt down invasive viruses, bacteria, and the body’s own bad … Continue reading “Possible Cures. Mystery Deaths. Daunting Costs. Can CAR-T Be Tamed?”
The Dot Targets Millennial Women with Monthly “Party Box” for Periods
It was a great boyfriend—a candidate for Guy of the Year and definitely husband material, in this reporter’s estimation—who inspired a new startup based in Grand Rapids, MI, called The Dot. Every month during college, when founder and CEO Anais Felt got her period, her boyfriend at the time would show up with a box … Continue reading “The Dot Targets Millennial Women with Monthly “Party Box” for Periods”
Seattle Week in Review: A Renaissance Man for Computing’s Golden Age
The Stranger called Paul Allen “Our Modern Medici,” which is a pretty apt description of the billionaire philanthropist-entrepreneur. Allen’s beneficence has helped the University of Washington grow a world-class computer science department—and now it has become a school named in his honor. Read on for a dispatch from the UW celebration Thursday, as well as a … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: A Renaissance Man for Computing’s Golden Age”
WARF, Cellectar Expand Licensing Agreement For Blood Cancer Drug
The organization that manages patents and licensing of intellectual property for the University of Wisconsin-Madison has expanded a licensing agreement with Cellectar Biosciences, a developer of cancer drugs, the company said earlier this week. The agreement, between the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and Madison, WI-based Cellectar (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CLRB]]), covers the use of the company’s … Continue reading “WARF, Cellectar Expand Licensing Agreement For Blood Cancer Drug”
Scott Gottlieb On Tap to Lead FDA, and Biopharma Exhales
[Updated 3/12/17 with more comments, see below] The Trump administration has nominated Scott Gottlieb to be the new commissioner of the FDA, a selection that had the life sciences industry breathing a sigh of relief Friday afternoon. The 44-year-old Gottlieb is a physician, a venture partner at New Enterprise Associates, and was also the deputy … Continue reading “Scott Gottlieb On Tap to Lead FDA, and Biopharma Exhales”
Tocagen Plans IPO to Finance Trials of Gene Therapy in Brain Cancer
[Corrected 3/10/17, 3:27 pm. See below] Gene therapy developer Tocagen is preparing an initial public stock offering to finance clinical trials of its experimental treatment for a form of brain cancer. The San Diego-based biotech filed the paperwork Thursday for an IPO that could raise up to $86 million—a figure likely to change as the … Continue reading “Tocagen Plans IPO to Finance Trials of Gene Therapy in Brain Cancer”
Emile Nuwaysir Joins BlueRock Therapeutics as CEO
Emile Nuwaysir last month joined Cambridge, MA-based BlueRock Therapeutics as chief executive, according to his LinkedIn profile. BlueRock is developing stem cell therapies to repair heart muscle in patients who have had a heart attack. The startup raised $225 million from investors in December. Previously, Nuwaysir was president and chief operating officer of Madison, WI-based Cellular … Continue reading “Emile Nuwaysir Joins BlueRock Therapeutics as CEO”
Five Questions For … SXSW Chief Programming Officer Hugh Forrest
Austin—When Hugh Forrest joined SXSW in 1994, fewer than 4,300 attended the little-known music festival. That was the year that two new “events”—Interactive and Film—were introduced to the mix, with the first keynote being given by a tech executive: Richard Garriott, then the founder of Origin Systems, and now known as a video gaming pioneer … Continue reading “Five Questions For … SXSW Chief Programming Officer Hugh Forrest”
Biotech Roundup: Obamacare Lite, DePinho Out, Dunsire In & More
We’ll start the roundup in Washington DC. The repeal of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, began on the first day of the Trump administration. This week, the “replace” phase began with a Republican plan championed by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI). President Trump backed it, too, but a lot of Republicans have … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Obamacare Lite, DePinho Out, Dunsire In & More”
Veering Off Topic With General Catalyst’s Larry Bohn
Larry Bohn is victim number 10 in my ongoing series of offbeat chats with Boston-area tech leaders. Bohn is a managing director of venture capital firm General Catalyst Partners, which he joined almost 15 years ago after running two software companies that he took public. Bohn invests in business software startups, mainly in e-commerce and … Continue reading “Veering Off Topic With General Catalyst’s Larry Bohn”
UW Receives $50M Endowment, Names Computer Science School for Allen
The celebration marking 50 years of computer science education at the University of Washington went from a birthday party to a rechristening Thursday with the announcement of a $50 million endowment from Paul Allen and Microsoft. The UW Board of Regents elevated the university’s computer science department to the Paul G. Allen School of Computer … Continue reading “UW Receives $50M Endowment, Names Computer Science School for Allen”
BioAffinity Secures $150K Investment from San Antonio-Run Biz Group
San Antonio — An economic development organization run by the city of San Antonio is committing $150,000 to bioAffinity, betting that the young company can advance its technology and add more jobs. The company is developing a diagnostic agent that aims to literally highlight cancer cells in patients sputum—basically phlegm that’s coughed up from the … Continue reading “BioAffinity Secures $150K Investment from San Antonio-Run Biz Group”
DraftKings Nabs $100M While Awaiting FanDuel Merger Approval: Report
[Updated 3/17/17, 9:26 a.m. See below.] DraftKings has raised more than $100 million in a new funding round, according to a report from Bloomberg. The Boston-based online fantasy sports company confirmed to Xconomy that it closed a Series E1 funding round led by Eldridge Industries, but the e-mailed statement from DraftKings didn’t specify the size … Continue reading “DraftKings Nabs $100M While Awaiting FanDuel Merger Approval: Report”
On Heels of State’s $1B Commitment, Indiana Hails Startup Growth
Last July, former Gov. Mike Pence issued an executive order integrating the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship into the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), with the goal of aligning and strengthening Indiana’s efforts to encourage the growth of startups and entrepreneurship. The order included a $1 billion investment over 10 years to help make the state … Continue reading “On Heels of State’s $1B Commitment, Indiana Hails Startup Growth”
Capital Factory Starts Mobility Accelerator with Daimler’s Moovel
Austin—Capital Factory is launching a new accelerator program with moovel North America, which is part of a company founded by Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler AG, for startups that have technology targeting the transportation sector. Called MobilityX and based at Capital Factory’s co-working space in Austin, TX, the accelerator aims to give Daimler input, connections, and potential … Continue reading “Capital Factory Starts Mobility Accelerator with Daimler’s Moovel”
Biotech With Drug Developed by San Antonio Researcher Explores Sale
San Antonio — Galena Biopharma, a San Ramon, CA-based biotech that is developing a cancer vaccine created by a San Antonio researcher, has hired Canaccord Genuity to see if it can sell or merge the company, license its assets to another business, or make some other move to keep the drug research going. The news comes … Continue reading “Biotech With Drug Developed by San Antonio Researcher Explores Sale”
As Health Insurance Debate Heats Up, Dynamis Plugs Away
The best way to create a framework that enables large numbers of Americans to have health insurance, while keeping costs under control for patients, care providers, and insurers, has been a subject of heated political debate for much of the past decade. But for all the arguments that have been put forth criticizing and defending … Continue reading “As Health Insurance Debate Heats Up, Dynamis Plugs Away”
Uber Rides Can Expose Key Company Data, Appthority Says
Businesses may want to limit their employees’ use of Uber’s ride-hailing service to protect secrets such as merger discussions and the medical conditions of key executives, a Bay Area mobile cybersecurity firm says. In a review of Uber’s privacy and security measures, Appthority found that the newer version of Uber’s app is expanding its collection … Continue reading “Uber Rides Can Expose Key Company Data, Appthority Says”
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Save on Robo Madness 2017— A.I. Gets Real
You’re already planning on attending Xconomy’s Robo Madness 2017— A.I. Gets Real, so why wait any longer to buy your tickets? We’re lining up some of the most forward-thinking entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators in the robotics and artificial intelligence industry. Join us for an afternoon of spotlight talks, demos, and panel discussions on topics such … Continue reading “Don’t Miss Your Chance to Save on Robo Madness 2017— A.I. Gets Real”
Epizyme Research Chief, Copeland, to Retire
Epizyme (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EPZM]]) said that its longtime president of research and chief scientific officer, Robert Copeland, will retire in the second quarter to “pursue advisory and other opportunities within the industry,” the company said in a statement. Copeland has been at Epizyme since 2008 and will remain a “key advisor” to the company after he … Continue reading “Epizyme Research Chief, Copeland, to Retire”
Report: Biogen Tech Exec Karaboutis Leaves After Two-Plus Years
Adriana Karaboutis, Biogen’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]) executive vice president of technology, business solutions, and corporate affairs, has left the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Karaboutis, a former Dell and General Motors executive, was hired by Biogen in late 2014.
Will Driverless Cars Ever Yield Profits for Uber and Lyft?
Uber has suffered a series of troubles early this year, from sexual harassment claims by a former staff engineer to an intellectual property theft lawsuit by Google unit Waymo. But Uber’s most longstanding, recurrent, and core problem stems from its relationship with its contract drivers. It’s not surprising that Uber is seeking an escape from … Continue reading “Will Driverless Cars Ever Yield Profits for Uber and Lyft?”
Larry Smarr Drives Innovation as Experimental Patient of the Future
In the years since he basically self-diagnosed his own Crohn’s Disease (before he had symptoms), Larry Smarr has served as a pioneer in the digital transformation of medicine and as an “n of 1” experimental patient in the emerging field of quantified health. Smarr came to San Diego in 2000 as founding director of the … Continue reading “Larry Smarr Drives Innovation as Experimental Patient of the Future”
Austin Innovators Form Group to Promote Ethical Use of AI Tools
Austin—A group of Austin, TX, entrepreneurs and investors have partnered with city officials as well as the University of Texas at Austin to form AI Austin, an initiative to promote ethical uses of artificial intelligence. “Our goal is to create a practical and ethical compass for today’s AI technologies, and to build a foundation for … Continue reading “Austin Innovators Form Group to Promote Ethical Use of AI Tools”
Toyota and Others Enabling Self-Driving Cars to Talk to Each Other
Drivers have plenty of ways to communicate with their fellow drivers, beyond the basic turn signal. Some methods are nice, like a friendly wave to beckon a merging car into your lane. Others, not so much. We’ve all probably cursed or honked at another driver, or been given the finger. But if driverless cars become … Continue reading “Toyota and Others Enabling Self-Driving Cars to Talk to Each Other”
Houston’s Biotech Innovation Community Reacts to Robbins Exit at TMC
Houston—The Texas Medical Center has accepted the resignation of its CEO, Robert Robbins, who has been chosen to be the next president of the University of Arizona. O. Holcombe Crosswell, chairman of the TMC board, said in a statement Wednesday that the TMC wishes Robbins well. “We thank Dr. Robbins for his contributions that have … Continue reading “Houston’s Biotech Innovation Community Reacts to Robbins Exit at TMC”
More Women, Minorities Join Angel Investor Group, Austin’s CTAN Says
Austin—The Central Texas Angel Network says it’s growing, and that the diversity of its membership is, too. The organization known as CTAN says its member base has increased to more than 160 individuals from about 120 two years ago, and that the group includes more women and minorities. Women now make up 25 percent of … Continue reading “More Women, Minorities Join Angel Investor Group, Austin’s CTAN Says”
Backed by $37M, Virta Tries Tech Approach to “Reverse” Diabetes
Diabetes treatment typically involves a combination of diet, exercise, and drugs. Patients can also choose gastric bypass surgery, which can cure diabetes in some cases. But new health IT startup Virta Health aims to bring data to the equation with an approach that it says can achieve the same outcomes as surgery, but in a … Continue reading “Backed by $37M, Virta Tries Tech Approach to “Reverse” Diabetes”
DePinho Announces His Departure from Houston’s MD Anderson
[Updated 3/8/17 4:58 pm. See below.] Houston—Ronald DePinho, CEO of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, has announced he is stepping down after six years at the helm. “Chancellor William H. McRaven has asked me to stay on through the end of the Texas Legislative session, and we will be talking through the details … Continue reading “DePinho Announces His Departure from Houston’s MD Anderson”
Immigrants Are the Best of Humanity and the Strength of Our Nation
[Editor’s note: This post was adapted from Mohamad Ali’s speech at a naturalization ceremony at the JFK Library in Boston on March 8, 2017.] My fellow immigrants, buenas tardes, masa-al-khayr, and good afternoon! I am deeply moved by the opportunity to be here today, to share this momentous occasion with you, and to personally return … Continue reading “Immigrants Are the Best of Humanity and the Strength of Our Nation”
Washington Apprenticeship Program Opens Doors to Tech Careers
A few years ago while working as a crew leader for a moving company, Shawn Farrow was dreaming of a job in technology. “We moved a lot of people in the tech industry, so I was able to talk with them and see their way of life,” said Farrow, 30. “It made me decide, yeah, … Continue reading “Washington Apprenticeship Program Opens Doors to Tech Careers”
TMC CEO Robbins To Leave, Take Top University of Arizona Post
Houston—Texas Medical Center CEO Robert Robbins has been selected as the next president of the University of Arizona, and will visit the school’s Tucson, AZ, campus today. The Phoenix-based Arizona Board of Regents voted unanimously to hire Robbins as its 22nd president. “Dr. Robbins’ comprehensive experience as both a visionary leader and highly-respected physician, as well as … Continue reading “TMC CEO Robbins To Leave, Take Top University of Arizona Post”
Google’s Venture Arm Leads $51.7M Investment in Spero Therapeutics
Despite the growing problem of drug-resistant bacteria, few new antibiotics have been developed in recent decades. Spero Therapeutics is trying to fill that gap by assembling a pipeline of antibiotic candidates, and it now has $51.7 million in new capital to finance clinical trials on some of them. GV, the venture arm of Google, led … Continue reading “Google’s Venture Arm Leads $51.7M Investment in Spero Therapeutics”
NVBots Spinout Digital Alloys Raises $5M for Metal 3D Printer
There’s a new 3D printing company in town, but it’ll feel familiar to those who follow the Boston-area 3D printing sector. New Valence Robotics, which goes by NVBots, has spun out the metal-making 3D printer technology it was developing into a new company called Digital Alloys. The new firm was formed in January, and today … Continue reading “NVBots Spinout Digital Alloys Raises $5M for Metal 3D Printer”
Biotech Vet Dunsire’s New Challenge: Grow Tiny Startup, XTuit
Boston biotech veteran Deborah Dunsire is back running another life sciences company—but for the first time, a fledgling startup. The former head of Millennium Pharmaceuticals is now president and CEO of a two-year-old company called XTuit Pharmaceuticals. XTuit is a very different animal from the companies Dunsire (pictured) has helped lead in the past. She … Continue reading “Biotech Vet Dunsire’s New Challenge: Grow Tiny Startup, XTuit”
Roundup: Fuyao, WSU Translational Research, Deadlines Galore & More
Here’s a look at innovation news from around Michigan: —Wayne State University has appointed Phillip Levy, a doctor and professor of emergency medicine, to head up its new Translational Science and Clinical Research Innovation program. Housed in WSU’s Integrative Biosciences Center, the Center for Translational Science and Clinical Research Innovation will become the hub of campus-wide … Continue reading “Roundup: Fuyao, WSU Translational Research, Deadlines Galore & More”
Three Ways to Bolster The Innovation Ecosystem for Women
When the topic of encouraging more female leadership in the startup economy arises, discussions usually center on what women entrepreneurs should do differently. How they should present with greater authority, or how they should “dress the part” for their next investor pitch. Put frankly, how they should adopt any manner of different behaviors. I would … Continue reading “Three Ways to Bolster The Innovation Ecosystem for Women”
With Sale to CA Technologies, Veracode Will “Cast Longer Shadow”
The shortlist of Boston-area tech companies on deck for an initial public offering got shorter after Monday’s announcement that Veracode has agreed to be sold to CA Technologies for $614 million in cash. The 11-year-old Veracode, which helps businesses secure and test their software applications, had raised around $150 million in venture capital, according to … Continue reading “With Sale to CA Technologies, Veracode Will “Cast Longer Shadow””
Xconomy Xchange: A Roundtable with Bill Aulet
Xconomy is partnering with the Purdue Foundry to bring Bill Aulet, Managing Director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship and senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, to Indiana and share his knowledge about starting a new enterprise. In addition to presenting his latest thinking on entrepreneurship, he will discuss his … Continue reading “Xconomy Xchange: A Roundtable with Bill Aulet”
Xconomy Xchange: A Roundtable with Bill Aulet
Xconomy is partnering with Launch Fishers to bring Bill Aulet, Managing Director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship and senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, to Indiana and share his knowledge about starting a new enterprise. In addition to presenting his latest thinking on entrepreneurship, he will discuss his newly … Continue reading “Xconomy Xchange: A Roundtable with Bill Aulet”
Gravy Live, Promega, Okanjo, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist
Stay current on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these headlines from late February and early March: —A trio of serial entrepreneurs based in the Madison area has launched a new startup, Gravy Live. The company raised more than $450,000 in funding from three investors, according to a regulatory filing that was made public on … Continue reading “Gravy Live, Promega, Okanjo, & More: This Week’s Wisconsin Watchlist”
CureMatch Uses Analytics to Rank Best Options for Cancer Treatment
CureMatch, a San Diego-based healthtech startup, says today it has created a Web-based platform that uses analytic software to help doctors sort through what can be a bewildering array of cancer treatment options. Selecting the right combination of drugs to treat a particular cancer can be one of the biggest challenges that doctors face, according … Continue reading “CureMatch Uses Analytics to Rank Best Options for Cancer Treatment”
Cyber Buyout: Veracode Acquired by CA Technologies for $614M
In one of the biggest tech acquisitions of the year to date, Veracode is getting bought by CA Technologies for $614 million in cash. The deal is expected to close next month. Veracode had raised more than $100 million in venture funding from investors that include .406 Ventures, Atlas Venture (which became Accomplice), StarVest Partners, … Continue reading “Cyber Buyout: Veracode Acquired by CA Technologies for $614M”
Sports Execs Trade VR for Augmented Reality at MIT Sloan Conference
[Corrected, 3/7/17, 9:56am. See below] At the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston last Friday, the NBA’s senior vice president of digital media, Melissa Brenner, got bullish on the potential for augmented reality inside NBA arenas. She was decidedly cooler on virtual reality: the clunky equipment, the lack of content people will pay for, … Continue reading “Sports Execs Trade VR for Augmented Reality at MIT Sloan Conference”
IUPUI Researchers Developing App to Increase Empathy in Doctors
Going to the doctor is rarely fun, but the experience is infinitely more pleasant and productive when physicians and patients are communicating well and feel mutually respected. With such common goals, one might be tempted to think the doctor-patient relationship is a no-brainer, but that does not seem to be the case. According to a … Continue reading “IUPUI Researchers Developing App to Increase Empathy in Doctors”
Bluegrass Vascular Gets Funding, Signs Distribution Deal With Merit
San Antonio — Bluegrass Vascular Technologies, a San Antonio company whose system for regaining access to obstructed veins received European regulatory approval last summer, has signed a deal that gives the medical device company a new equity investor and a distributor in Europe. Merit Medical Systems (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MMSI]]) made the investment, which is the company’s … Continue reading “Bluegrass Vascular Gets Funding, Signs Distribution Deal With Merit”