An experimental leukemia drug from Seattle Genetics can resume clinical testing, work that had ground to a halt three months ago following the deaths of four patients. The FDA in December placed clinical holds or partial holds on three early stage trials SeaGen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SGEN]]) has been running to study the leukemia drug vadastuximab. The … Continue reading “Seattle Genetics to Resume Leukemia Drug Trials After FDA Lifts Hold”
Ex-Vice President Biden to Speak About Cancer Moonshot at SXSW
[Updated 3/6/17 5:37 pm. See below.] Austin—Former vice president Joseph Biden will speak at the South By Southwest festival March 12, where he is expected to outline plans for his Biden Cancer Initiative. SXSW organizers said Biden will update attendees on the progress made under his leadership of the White House Cancer Moonshot as well … Continue reading “Ex-Vice President Biden to Speak About Cancer Moonshot at SXSW”
Boston Tech Watch: Bose, LearnLaunch, Fuze, Boston Dynamics, & More
It’s time to catch up on some recent happenings in the Boston tech scene. This week, we’re tracking a lawsuit against headphone giant Bose, a new robot from Boston Dynamics, local edtech startup funding, and more. Read on for details. —Six portfolio companies of the LearnLaunch edtech startup accelerator recently raised funding rounds totaling almost … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Bose, LearnLaunch, Fuze, Boston Dynamics, & More”
Vertex Bags Concert’s Rival CF Drug For $160M, Plans Combo Studies
Concert Pharmaceuticals has been plugging away with an experimental cystic fibrosis drug that, if successful, might someday pose a threat to Vertex Pharmaceuticals. So rather than wait to find out, Vertex today paid $160 million in cash, up front, to bring the drug in house. Boston-based Vertex (NASDAQ: [[tickerVRTX]]) has acquired CTP-656, a CF drug … Continue reading “Vertex Bags Concert’s Rival CF Drug For $160M, Plans Combo Studies”
How Boragen Banked $10M to Develop New Boron-Based Fungicides
No matter what pharmaceutical companies throw at bacteria and fungi, the microorganisms find ways to get ahead. Their ability to mutate and reproduce quickly gives rise to new generations resistant to anti-infective drugs. Fungal resistance also troubles farmers, but they’ve had few new crop treatments to choose from, in part because agricultural technology investment has … Continue reading “How Boragen Banked $10M to Develop New Boron-Based Fungicides”
Ingeneron Gets $20M From Sanford Health For Stem Cell Treatment
Houston—Ingeneron, a Houston-based developer of a stem cell-based technology, announced Monday that it has raised $20 million from strategic partner Sanford Health. Ingeneron is developing a stem cell-based system meant to help patients recover from wounds and orthopedic ailments like a torn shoulder rotator cuff. In total, the company has raised $38 million from unspecified … Continue reading “Ingeneron Gets $20M From Sanford Health For Stem Cell Treatment”
Seattle Week in Review: Healing Music Echoes Over ‘Voice City’
It’s still winter, and March, as the saying goes, is coming in like a lion—or a juvenile bald eagle—with snow in the forecast for the weekend. Again. We’re wrapping the week with a look at funding for 2nd Watch, Amazon Web Services’ outage, a spate of Alexa news, a look at ways game controllers are … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: Healing Music Echoes Over ‘Voice City’”
VenBio-Backed Directors Wrest Control of Immunomedics Board
Activist investors challenging the management of Immunomedics have reportedly won control of a majority of the seats on the drug developer’s board of directors, putting another hurdle in front of a deal to license the company’s lead drug to Seattle Genetics. Biotech investment fund venBio—Immunomedics’ (NASDAQ: [[ticker:IMMU]]) largest shareholder, with a 9.9 percent stake in … Continue reading “VenBio-Backed Directors Wrest Control of Immunomedics Board”
Five Questions For … AT&T Connected Health Foundry Chief Nadia Morris
Houston—For Nadia Morris, the key is balance. An artist by temperament, she has successfully pursued a more technical career as a software engineer. (One measure? Morris has more than 20 patents in network security and mobile app development.) As the head of innovation at AT&T’s Connected Health Foundry at the Texas Medical Center, Morris is … Continue reading “Five Questions For … AT&T Connected Health Foundry Chief Nadia Morris”
Here’s the Agenda for Robo Madness 2017 at Google on March 28
Heard enough about A.I. lately? Yeah, me too. Now it’s time to sort the facts from the hype. On March 28, we’re gathering technology and business leaders to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and robotics. It’s all happening at Robo Madness 2017: A.I. Gets Real on March 28 at Google in Kendall Square, Cambridge, … Continue reading “Here’s the Agenda for Robo Madness 2017 at Google on March 28”
Bio Roundup: Healthcare Is Hard, “Slow” FDA, Drugging RNA & More
In an address to Congress this week, President Donald Trump outlined many of his near-term goals, including an overhaul of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, even as public opinion has begun to shift in favor of the law. Trump toned down his typical blunderbuss rhetoric, but he had choice words for the … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Healthcare Is Hard, “Slow” FDA, Drugging RNA & More”
TechPoint’s Mira Awards to Honor Indiana’s Top Tech Companies
TechPoint, the industry-led non-profit organization supporting Indiana’s tech ecosystem, has announced the nominees for the 18th annual Mira Awards, which celebrate the state’s most promising technology companies. This year, 50 independent judges combed through 180 applications to choose the nominees for awards honoring the sector’s best people, products, and companies. Later this month, all nominees … Continue reading “TechPoint’s Mira Awards to Honor Indiana’s Top Tech Companies”
Capital Stockpile Grows as Venture Fund-Raising Hits Recent High
In the venture capital business, a rising tide lifts all boats. That’s the idea, at least. A new report released today by Seattle-based PitchBook shows that U.S. venture firms have plenty of capital to invest in new companies, after 328 venture funds raised a total of $51.6 billion in 2016. That’s a high-water mark for … Continue reading “Capital Stockpile Grows as Venture Fund-Raising Hits Recent High”
Snap Raises $3.4B in IPO, Soaring Trades Set Value Past $20B
Snap, which rose to unicorn status based on a social media app that creates quickly vanishing photos, attracted solid investor interest in an IPO that raised $3.4 billion and sent shares up more than 50 percent above the initial offering price during the first day of trading today. Snap (NYSE: [[ticker:SNAP]]) priced its IPO shares … Continue reading “Snap Raises $3.4B in IPO, Soaring Trades Set Value Past $20B”
Trump and Kalanick: Twin Chief Executives Face Similar Problems
In the rinse-repeat rhythm of Uber’s PR crises, it’s easy to miss that this particular cycle has been a long one. Uber’s latest wave of negative press began in January with a backlash against CEO Travis Kalanick’s role on President Donald Trump’s White House business advisory panel. There’s some irony here, because Trump and Kalanick … Continue reading “Trump and Kalanick: Twin Chief Executives Face Similar Problems”
The Right Tune: Marketing Startup Music Audience Exchange Raises $6M
Dallas—If you think about it, executing a successful marketing campaign is similar to a match-making exercise done well. But to try to ensure that a mutually beneficial relationship is formed, entrepreneur Nathan Hanks has added some data analytics to the match-making mix with his music-focused startup. “The brands we are working with are in need … Continue reading “The Right Tune: Marketing Startup Music Audience Exchange Raises $6M”
No Details Yet, But Genentech Drug Combo Wins in Big Breast Cancer Study
There may be a new standard of care coming for a large portion of women with breast cancer who have had surgery to remove their tumors. A drug from Roche’s South San Francisco, CA, Genentech unit, known as pertuzumab (Perjeta), has helped reduce the risk of death for such women when given in combination with … Continue reading “No Details Yet, But Genentech Drug Combo Wins in Big Breast Cancer Study”
Examity Grabs $21M for Online Test Proctoring Services
Examity, which offers remote proctoring services for tests that students take online, has received a $21 million investment. The money comes from two New York-based investment firms, University Ventures and Inherent Group, according to a press release e-mailed to Xconomy. The news was first reported by the Boston Business Journal. Based in Natick, MA, Examity … Continue reading “Examity Grabs $21M for Online Test Proctoring Services”
Amazon’s Alexa Opens New Path for Earplay’s Interactive Audio Stories
The woman has been anxious since the moment she sat down at my table in the restaurant. I’ve never seen her before in my life, but she just handed me a small vial of some unknown, green liquid. It’s slightly warm to the touch. “She begins to move away, and you figure you’ve only got … Continue reading “Amazon’s Alexa Opens New Path for Earplay’s Interactive Audio Stories”
Human Impact of Innovation Super Saver Special Ends Today!
Time is running out to secure the $99 super saver discount for The Xconomy Forum on Human Impact of Innovation on April 19 in San Diego. The forum will take place at The Illumina Theater at The Alexandria at Torrey Pines. There has been a lot of talk around the importance of studying and understanding … Continue reading “Human Impact of Innovation Super Saver Special Ends Today!”
Detroit, Silicon Valley Collaborate on Path to Self-Driving Cars
As the race to get autonomous vehicles on the road revs up, there has been much discussion in the auto industry about who will lead the charge. Because of the new technologies involved in the development of self-driving cars, many initially assumed that Silicon Valley would take the driver’s seat instead of Detroit. But it’s … Continue reading “Detroit, Silicon Valley Collaborate on Path to Self-Driving Cars”
Evestra Signs Deal with Glemark for Generic Version of NuvaRing
San Antonio — Evestra, an early stage drug developer focused on women’s health, has made a deal with the U.S. division of Mumbai-based Glenmark Pharmaceuticals to try to bring its generic version of the NuvaRing birth control product to market. San Antonio-based Evestra’s product is still in development, and the companies say they are hoping … Continue reading “Evestra Signs Deal with Glemark for Generic Version of NuvaRing”
Nearpod, A Pioneer of VR in Edtech, Raises $21M
Nearpod, an educational technology company that added low-cost virtual reality headsets to its offerings early last year, raised $21 million in a Series B round announced today. The new round, led by New York-based Insight Venture Partners, brings total fundraising to $30.2 million for Nearpod, which made a bet that K-12 students would be captivated … Continue reading “Nearpod, A Pioneer of VR in Edtech, Raises $21M”
Wall Street Bets $50M on Kensho’s A.I. Investing Tools
As artificial intelligence begins creeping into virtually every industry, it makes sense that Wall Street would be one of the first places where it makes an impact—there’s a ton of data to crunch, and money to be made if software can help make better decisions more quickly. Kensho Technologies is one of the startups gaining … Continue reading “Wall Street Bets $50M on Kensho’s A.I. Investing Tools”
After Trial Deaths, Juno Pivots and Scraps Lead CAR-T Therapy
Juno Therapeutics said today it would discontinue its experimental CAR-T cell product known as JCAR015. It was once Juno’s top candidate as the company raced rivals to be the first to win approval of a new kind of cancer treatment called CAR-T. The decision was not unexpected. Juno (NASDAQ: [[ticker:JUNO]]) hoped that a 110-person clinical … Continue reading “After Trial Deaths, Juno Pivots and Scraps Lead CAR-T Therapy”
Backed by Seattle Angels, BluHaptics Readies Robot Control Software
The typical controller that human operators use to manipulate a multi-million-dollar undersea robotic arm is a complicated, analog model of the arm itself. Operators direct the movement of each joint, making a costly, high-pressure task such as repairing oil and gas facilities or cleaning up munitions that much harder and more susceptible to mistakes. Seattle startup … Continue reading “Backed by Seattle Angels, BluHaptics Readies Robot Control Software”
Texas Medical Center CEO Robert Robbins in Line For Top Arizona Post
[Updated 3/01/17 4:37 pm. See below.] Houston—Robert Robbins, the CEO of the Texas Medical Center, is one of two finalists vying to be the next president of the University of Arizona. The Phoenix-based Arizona Board of Regents announced Monday that the top two candidates are Robbins and Sethuraman Panchanathan, the executive vice president and chief research and … Continue reading “Texas Medical Center CEO Robert Robbins in Line For Top Arizona Post”
Join Xconomy in June for ‘What’s Hot In Cancer Immunotherapy 2017’
Our bodies fight cancer every day, repairing DNA and cleaning out suspicious cells. But sometimes our powerful immune systems need help. That’s the concept of immunotherapy. Three years ago, the ideas long dreamed of by cancer researchers were quickly taking shape, and Xconomy convened scientists, investors, entrepreneurs, and others in Seattle to take stock of … Continue reading “Join Xconomy in June for ‘What’s Hot In Cancer Immunotherapy 2017’”
Xconomy’s EXOME Presents: What’s Hot in Cancer Immunotherapy 2017
Seattle is one of the world’s centers of cancer immunotherapy. Three years ago, Xconomy gathered some of the field’s experts to talk about the promises of harnessing the immune system to fight cancer. Today, some of those promises seem well within reach, and a small but growing number of patients are benefiting from a handful … Continue reading “Xconomy’s EXOME Presents: What’s Hot in Cancer Immunotherapy 2017”
Celect Grabs $10M for Retail Inventory Software Based on MIT Tech
Celect has raised $10 million to help retailers manage their inventory using machine learning tools originally developed at MIT. The Series B round was led by Activant Capital, with contributions from Fung Capital and August Capital. Celect previously raised at least $5.2 million from investors, according to SEC filings. Celect’s cloud-based software uses predictive analytics … Continue reading “Celect Grabs $10M for Retail Inventory Software Based on MIT Tech”
StemBioSys Lands Experimental UT Tech That Finds Young Stem Cells
San Antonio — StemBioSys, the life sciences company with a system for growing stem cells, has licensed an experimental technology from University of Texas Health San Antonio that may help identify healthy young adult stem cells among large pools of other cells. There’s plenty of research examining how to possibly use adult stem cells as treatments … Continue reading “StemBioSys Lands Experimental UT Tech That Finds Young Stem Cells”
Drugmakers, Amazon Back Grail’s Big Cancer Trials With $900M
Last month, Grail publicly spread word of intentions to raise more than $1 billion in an ambitious quest to develop a blood test that can diagnose and detect cancer at its earliest stages. Today, the Menlo Park, CA, startup has revealed the crop of drugmakers and others it has secured to fund the effort. Grail … Continue reading “Drugmakers, Amazon Back Grail’s Big Cancer Trials With $900M”
Medisafe Takes In $14.5M to Help Patients Manage Medications
[Updated 3/1/17, 9:35 a.m. See below.] Prescriptions can be complicated and confusing, especially for patients taking more than one set of pills. But when people don’t properly follow their prescription plans, it can lead to deteriorating health, additional hospital visits, and potentially life-threatening episodes. The costs are high for the healthcare industry, too. Studies have … Continue reading “Medisafe Takes In $14.5M to Help Patients Manage Medications”
Former FDA Commissioners Califf, McClellan Talk Healthcare’s Future
The top spot at the FDA remains vacant, and the change in presidential power has some healthcare observers wondering about possible changes for the regulator. One month removed from serving as FDA commissioner, Robert Califf says the agency can be improved through a combination of precedent, experience, and evidence. Califf, who served less than one … Continue reading “Former FDA Commissioners Califf, McClellan Talk Healthcare’s Future”
FDA Approves Houston Biotech Lexicon’s Carcinoid Syndrome Diarrhea Drug
Houston—Lexicon Pharmaceuticals announced Tuesday that the FDA has approved its treatment for diarrhea caused by carcinoid syndrome, telotristat ethyl (Xermelo). Lexicon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:LXRX]]) says it is the first orally administered therapy to treat carcinoid syndrome diarrhea in combination with somatostatin analog, or SSA, therapies, which target the root cause of the problem: overproduction of hormones. … Continue reading “FDA Approves Houston Biotech Lexicon’s Carcinoid Syndrome Diarrhea Drug”
Bee Corp. Aims to Help Beekeepers Fight Colony Collapse Disorder
By pollinating the crops that provide us with fruits, nuts, and vegetables, honeybees play a vital role in agricultural production and contribute more than $15 billion annually to the U.S. economy, according to a 2014 White House fact sheet. However, since the onset of colony collapse disorder (CCD) in 2007, the beekeeping industry has suffered … Continue reading “Bee Corp. Aims to Help Beekeepers Fight Colony Collapse Disorder”
With Eye On FDA, Kite Says CAR-T For Lymphoma Holds Up After 6 Months
Kite Pharma released more data this morning that it hopes will lead this year to the first commercial approval of a cutting-edge cancer treatment known as CAR-T therapy. The Santa Monica, CA, firm will soon ask the FDA for approval to use its CAR-T therapy, known as axicabtagene ciloleucel, to treat patients with desperate cases … Continue reading “With Eye On FDA, Kite Says CAR-T For Lymphoma Holds Up After 6 Months”
TX Roundup: Xenex & data.world Funding, Accenture Hub, & Lynda Chin
Let’s get caught up with the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —When you spent your childhood in places like Dakar, Senegal, and Beirut, perhaps it’s not so surprising that, in adulthood, your travel itinerary would include the South Pole and outer space. NASA astronaut and serial inventor, Scott Parazynski, speaks about Thomas Edison and … Continue reading “TX Roundup: Xenex & data.world Funding, Accenture Hub, & Lynda Chin”
Achaogen Promotes Blake Wise to President, & More Executive Moves
Antibacterial drug developer Achaogen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AKAO]]) has promoted Blake Wise to the position of president and chief operating officer, an expansion of his current role. Wise joined the South San Francisco-based company in 2015 as chief operating officer. Before joining Achaogen, Wise had held various posts at Genentech. In other moves, Achaogen promoted Lee Swem … Continue reading “Achaogen Promotes Blake Wise to President, & More Executive Moves”
Underscore.VC Co-founder C.A. Webb Departs Venture Firm
C.A. Webb is leaving Underscore.VC, the Boston early-stage venture firm that she helped start less than two years ago. Webb, Underscore’s co-founder and community partner, announced her departure in a Medium post on Monday. She attributed the move to the evolution of the firm, to the point that it is no longer the right fit for her. … Continue reading “Underscore.VC Co-founder C.A. Webb Departs Venture Firm”
Founders of Grand Ventures Double Down on Michigan Startup Growth
Early-stage tech entrepreneurs in Michigan now have a new source of investment capital to chase. Grand Rapids, MI-based Grand Ventures, established earlier this month by McKeel Hagerty of Hagerty Insurance and Huron River Ventures’ Tim Streit, will provide support to high-growth tech startups focused on agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and other industries with strong Midwest presence, … Continue reading “Founders of Grand Ventures Double Down on Michigan Startup Growth”
Blood Pressure Drug Trial Results Lift La Jolla Pharma Shares
La Jolla Pharmaceutical’s experimental drug to treat a deadly blood pressure condition hit its main goal in a Phase 3 clinical trial, boosting the company’s stock price by more than 75 percent on Monday morning. San Diego-based La Jolla (NASDAQ: [[ticker:LJPC]]) is studying its drug LJPC-501 in patients who have dangerously low blood pressure, which can … Continue reading “Blood Pressure Drug Trial Results Lift La Jolla Pharma Shares”
Nonprofit Seeds Exonics to Fund Push For CRISPR Duchenne Treatment
Two newly approved drugs slow the progression of the rare and deadly Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but nothing on the market actually reverses the march of the disease. An emerging group of experimental gene therapy and gene editing treatments designed to do so are creeping towards human clinical testing, however, and one of them has just … Continue reading “Nonprofit Seeds Exonics to Fund Push For CRISPR Duchenne Treatment”
Five Questions For … Astronaut & Serial Inventor Scott Parazynski
Houston—As children, many of us believed we would have out-of-this-world experiences as adults. Scott Parazynksi is actually living that childhood wish. As a NASA astronaut, Parazynski has flown on five shuttle missions and completed seven spacewalks, including at the International Space Station. A physician, he was the founding director of the University of Texas Medical … Continue reading “Five Questions For … Astronaut & Serial Inventor Scott Parazynski”
Advaxis Inks Deal with Sellas to Develop New Cancer Immunotherapy
Advaxis and Sellas Life Sciences Group, two companies that have pursued different ways of prompting the body’s immune system to fight cancer, are now hoping that combining their efforts will lead to a more precise treatment. The agreement between the companies calls for Princeton, NJ-based Advaxis (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ADXS]]) to license to Sellas its technology for … Continue reading “Advaxis Inks Deal with Sellas to Develop New Cancer Immunotherapy”
At Arrakis, Gilman Teams With Biogen Vets to Target RNA With Pills
A year after selling his latest biotech startup—the second since 2012—Michael Gilman is back. He emerged today as chairman and CEO of a two-year-old startup named Arrakis Therapeutics, which aims to use chemical drugs to go after an unlikely target: RNA, the molecules that turn our genetic blueprints into proteins. Named after the dangerous desert … Continue reading “At Arrakis, Gilman Teams With Biogen Vets to Target RNA With Pills”
Seattle Week in Review: Upzone, Apple, Washington Resistance, & More
This week, a welcome sign of spring: the first crocuses poked out of the ground near here. More construction is sure to follow. The U District upzone was approved, making way for more development near the University of Washington. Apple made a donation to UW, and revealed Seattle expansion plans. More on those stories below, … Continue reading “Seattle Week in Review: Upzone, Apple, Washington Resistance, & More”
BioCrossroads Report: Steady Growth for Life Sciences in Indiana
BioCrossroads, a public-private collaboration that supports Indiana’s life sciences industry, released a report this week highlighting the sector’s economic activity in 2016—and the numbers indicate steady, incremental growth, says project director Brian Stemme. BioCrossroads’ most recently available data show the economic impact of Indiana’s life sciences industry—comprised of companies focused on pharmaceuticals; medical devices and … Continue reading “BioCrossroads Report: Steady Growth for Life Sciences in Indiana”
Xenex Gets $38M From Essex Woodlands, Others for Germ-Zapping Robots
San Antonio — Xenex Disinfection Services, the maker of a robot that rids hospital rooms of tiny bacteria and viruses that can potentially cause deadly infections, has raised $38 million of venture funding to hire new salespeople and spend more on research and development. Xenex’s technology, called LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots, uses an inert gas, pulsed … Continue reading “Xenex Gets $38M From Essex Woodlands, Others for Germ-Zapping Robots”
Cempra Soars on Drug’s Potential to Treat MRSA, Other Infections
Two months after the FDA rejected Cempra’s lead drug, a different antibiotic from the drug developer is now showing promise as a potential treatment for aggressive skin infections such as MRSA. Chapel Hill, NC-based Cempra (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CEMP]]) said that early data from a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating its fusidic acid pills showed that the … Continue reading “Cempra Soars on Drug’s Potential to Treat MRSA, Other Infections”