How did Phil Sharp, a kid from a small farm in Kentucky, become a Nobel prize winner and one of the godfathers of the biotech industry? How did Christine McSherry turn her youngest son’s devastating diagnosis into a crusade that aided in the approval of a drug for his disease? Sharp (pictured above) and McSherry … Continue reading “Catch Duchenne Patient Power, Phil Sharp & More Next Week at The Broad”
With $65M, Cygnal Tunes In to Nerve Signals for Drug-Making Clues
The peripheral nervous system traverses the body, connecting the brain and spinal cord to distant organs and limbs similar to the way a fiber optic network connects an Internet provider to a computer user at a far-flung home. But peripheral nerves also communicate with disease cells, according to Cygnal Therapeutics CEO Pearl Huang. Understanding this … Continue reading “With $65M, Cygnal Tunes In to Nerve Signals for Drug-Making Clues”
Nobel Prize in Medicine Goes to 3 Who Showed How Cells Sense Oxygen Levels
Oxygen’s importance in cellular processes has long been known. But the work to understand how cells sense and adapt to changes in oxygen levels has led to medical insights and potential treatments for anemia, cancer, and more—and today, it has turned into the 2019 Nobel Prize in Medicine. William Kaelin Jr., Sir Peter Ratcliffe, and … Continue reading “Nobel Prize in Medicine Goes to 3 Who Showed How Cells Sense Oxygen Levels”
Akcea, Fresh Off C-Suite Shakeup, Dishes Heart Drug to Pfizer for $250M
Pfizer this morning bought an experimental heart disease drug from Akcea therapeutics, the first move made by the Ionis Pharmaceuticals spinout since the company overhauled its management team last month. Pfizer will pay Akcea (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AKCA]]) and parent Ionis (NASDAQ: [[ticker:IONS]]) $250 million up front for rights to AKCEA-ANGPTL3-Lrx, an RNA-based medicine currently in a … Continue reading “Akcea, Fresh Off C-Suite Shakeup, Dishes Heart Drug to Pfizer for $250M”
Precision IBD Rebrands as Prometheus and Strikes R&D Deal With Takeda
This summer Nestlé Health Science sold Prometheus Laboratories, a gastrointestinal disease diagnostics unit it had acquired eight years prior, to a low-profile San Diego biotech called Precision IBD. About a month ago, Precision—a drug and diagnostic developer that’s focused, as its name suggests, on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—changed its name to Prometheus Biosciences and tapped … Continue reading “Precision IBD Rebrands as Prometheus and Strikes R&D Deal With Takeda”
Unpack Digital Health’s Progress & Pitfalls at X·CON on Oct. 22
Digital health is having a moment, thanks to a convergence of increasingly sophisticated computing technologies, a more favorable regulatory environment, and growing buy-in from hospitals, insurers, and patients. But plenty of challenges and questions remain. Join Xconomy on Oct. 22 for an elite conference that will help industry stakeholders better understand the most promising opportunities … Continue reading “Unpack Digital Health’s Progress & Pitfalls at X·CON on Oct. 22”
Fetch Rewards Grabs $25M, Plans to Double Staff as Growth Accelerates
Fetch Rewards’ pivot seems to be paying off. The Madison, WI-based mobile app startup has pulled in $25 million from investors to help it capitalize on a surge of new users and business partners. The fresh funding was revealed in a document filed this week with the SEC. The money comes from Greycroft and E.ventures, … Continue reading “Fetch Rewards Grabs $25M, Plans to Double Staff as Growth Accelerates”
Bio Roundup: PARP Progress, A New Commish, IPO-Palooza & More
It’s been a strange up and down ride for PARP inhibitors, a relatively new class of cancer drugs. Named for the tumor protein they target, PARPs rebounded after a big clinical setback in 2011 and have been at the center of many buyouts and big alliances—Pfizer and Medivation, GlaxoSmithKline and Tesaro, AstraZeneca and Merck. Four … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: PARP Progress, A New Commish, IPO-Palooza & More”
After Brain Cancer Drug Fails, Tocagen to Cut More Than Half of Staff
Following the late-stage failure of its lead program, an experimental gene therapy treatment for the most aggressive form of brain cancer, Tocagen will reduce its workforce by 65 percent, the company said Thursday. The layoffs will result in a staff of about 30 people by year’s end, Tocagen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:TOCA]]) said in the press release. … Continue reading “After Brain Cancer Drug Fails, Tocagen to Cut More Than Half of Staff”
Vertex Pharma Promotes Bozic as Kewalramani’s Successor
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VRTX]]) has appointed Carmen Bozic to serve as executive vice president of global medicines development and medical affairs. Bozic joined Boston-based Vertex earlier this year as senior vice president and head of global clinical development. Bozic will take on additional responsibilities as Vertex’s chief medical officer on April 1 when current CMO Reshma … Continue reading “Vertex Pharma Promotes Bozic as Kewalramani’s Successor”
Nektar Promotes Zalevsky to Chief R&D Officer, Labrucherie to COO
Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NKTR]]) has promoted Jonathan Zalevsky to chief research and development officer. Zalevsky joined the San Francisco drug developer in 2015 and has been its chief scientific officer since 2017. Nektar also announced that Gil Labrucherie has been promoted to chief operating officer in addition to his duties as chief financial officer. Nektar’s … Continue reading “Nektar Promotes Zalevsky to Chief R&D Officer, Labrucherie to COO”
Three Biotechs Raise $320M in IPOs, Two Others Pass on Wall Street
With five biotech IPOs on the calendar, this week was expected to be a big one. Three companies ended up making Wall Street debuts, raising a combined $320 million, led by Viela Bio. But two other firms didn’t like the market conditions and decided against going public for now. Here’s a recap of the week’s … Continue reading “Three Biotechs Raise $320M in IPOs, Two Others Pass on Wall Street”
Icosavax Lands $51M to Bring Vaccine for Respiratory Virus to Clinic
Many vaccines are made from either a weakened virus or a protein taken from a virus. But so far, scientists haven’t had much luck developing such vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes an infection that is typically mild but can become deadly in infants and older adults. Icosavax is taking a different route … Continue reading “Icosavax Lands $51M to Bring Vaccine for Respiratory Virus to Clinic”
Nuance Spinout Cerence Vies With Tech Giants in Voice-AI for Auto
A new mobility company, Cerence, is making its public-market debut Wednesday, and its first CEO, Sanjay Dhawan, says he’s been meeting with more than 50 investors in recent weeks to talk up its prospects. Cerence is a spinout from pioneering speech recognition company Nuance Communications (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NUAN]]), and it will carry on the work of … Continue reading “Nuance Spinout Cerence Vies With Tech Giants in Voice-AI for Auto”
Viscient Bio Proposes Organovo Merger to Tackle NASH and Go Beyond
[Updated 5:58 p.m. PT. See below.] Organovo, a company developing technology to 3D print human tissue, announced two months ago that its dwindling cash is leading it to explore options that include merging with another firm. The San Diego biotech now has an offer from a familiar face close to home. Viscient Biosciences, a seven-person … Continue reading “Viscient Bio Proposes Organovo Merger to Tackle NASH and Go Beyond”
Avidity Biosciences Taps Former Akcea Exec Sarah Boyce as New CEO
Avidity Biosciences, a private biotech in La Jolla, CA, on Tuesday announced that it has brought aboard Sarah Boyce as its president and CEO. Last month Boyce left her position as president of rare disease drug developer Akcea Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AKCA]])—a Boston-based spinout of San Diego’s Ionis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:IONS]])—as part of an unexplained management … Continue reading “Avidity Biosciences Taps Former Akcea Exec Sarah Boyce as New CEO”
Bayer and Arvinas Appoint John Dombrosky CEO of Joint Venture Oerth
The Bayer and Arvinas (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARVN]]) joint venture announced in July now has a name and a chief executive. Oerth Bio (pronounced “Earth”) will be led by CEO John Dombrosky. Dombrosky joins Oerth from Agtech Accelerator, where he has been CEO for the past three years. His experience also includes roles at Syngenta, Thomson Reuters, … Continue reading “Bayer and Arvinas Appoint John Dombrosky CEO of Joint Venture Oerth”
Dyne Appoints Brumm President & CEO, Subramanian Shifts to CSO
Joshua Brumm has been appointed president and CEO of Dyne Therapeutics. Romesh Subramanian, Dyne’s founder and former CEO, has shifted to a new role as chief scientific officer. Brumm will join Waltham, MA-based Dyne from Kaleido Biosciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:KLDO]]), where he has been chief financial officer since last year. Kaleido said Brumm’s last day will … Continue reading “Dyne Appoints Brumm President & CEO, Subramanian Shifts to CSO”
Sangamo Taps Cytokinetics Exec Cockroft for Chief Medical Officer
Sangamo Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SGMO]]) has appointed Bettina Cockroft to serve as senior vice president and chief medical officer. Cockroft comes to Brisbane, CA-based Sangamo from Cytokinetics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CYTK]]), where she was vice president of clinical research, neurology. Her experience also includes positions at Merck Serono, Novartis Consumer Health, and Menarini Ricerche. In July, Sangamo and … Continue reading “Sangamo Taps Cytokinetics Exec Cockroft for Chief Medical Officer”
Can Ford’s Self-Driving Car Business Improve Austin’s Traffic Woes?
Austin — There are so many great things about working from home. Spending all day with your pets is up there, but not having to commute is probably the best. It’s particularly nice to avoid commuting by car in a city like Austin, TX, that’s notorious for its heavy traffic. The situation is so bad … Continue reading “Can Ford’s Self-Driving Car Business Improve Austin’s Traffic Woes?”
Molecular Assemblies Raises $12M to Advance Enzymatic DNA Synthesis
Biologists have been using artificially created DNA, produced through what’s known as chemical DNA synthesis, as a research tool for decades. Now, as demand for engineered DNA rises, a handful of startups are vying to become the go-to provider for researchers looking for improved versions of the DNA sequences. Molecular Assemblies is among the companies … Continue reading “Molecular Assemblies Raises $12M to Advance Enzymatic DNA Synthesis”
Biogen’s Ehlers Leaving for Apple Tree, Steps Into Limelight as CEO
Michael Ehlers, Biogen’s executive vice president of research and development, is leaving for a job in venture capital and an opportunity to lead a gene therapy startup. Ehlers has been appointed chief scientific officer and venture partner of New York-based Apple Tree Partners. He’ll also become CEO of one of the firm’s portfolio companies, Limelight … Continue reading “Biogen’s Ehlers Leaving for Apple Tree, Steps Into Limelight as CEO”
We’re Beginning to Realize the Cloud’s Full Potential at the Edge
Amazon Web Services (AWS), the first “public cloud” offering third-party data storage and compute services, launched in March 2006, and by 2012, there were multiple credible competitors. The hype was strong. Back then, cloud evangelists were predicting that essentially everything in the enterprise data center would migrate to one of just a few public clouds. … Continue reading “We’re Beginning to Realize the Cloud’s Full Potential at the Edge”
ESMO 2019: PARP and Prostate, SeaGen’s Win, KRAS Update & More
The European Society for Medical Oncology meeting has wrapped up in Barcelona, the last major clinical cancer conference until December’s annual ASH meeting for blood diseases. We’ve highlighted a few top stories for you. Amid all the fuss over cell, gene, and immunotherapies these days, an old-fashioned small-molecule class of drug called PARP inhibitors have … Continue reading “ESMO 2019: PARP and Prostate, SeaGen’s Win, KRAS Update & More”
Dova Pharmaceuticals Agrees to Sobi Acquisition, Shares Jump 38%
In the past three years, Dova Pharmaceuticals has completed a company launch, gone public, and won its first drug approval. Now the biotech is in line to be acquired by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi). According to deal terms announced Monday, Dova (NASDAQ: [[ticker:DOVA]]) stockholders will receive $27.50 per share up front, a 36 percent premium … Continue reading “Dova Pharmaceuticals Agrees to Sobi Acquisition, Shares Jump 38%”
Beam Therapeutics Preps IPO and Sheds Light on Its Gene-Editing Drugs
A number of gene-editing companies have joined the public markets in recent years. Beam Therapeutics, which is developing a CRISPR-based technology intended to offer even more precise genomic edits, aims to become the latest one. Cambridge, MA-based Beam filed its IPO paperwork with securities regulators late Friday. The company set a preliminary $100 million target … Continue reading “Beam Therapeutics Preps IPO and Sheds Light on Its Gene-Editing Drugs”
At Venture Summit, 3 Takeaways For Entrepreneurs From VC Phil Black
No one would argue that San Diego is overflowing with venture capitalists in the way, say, the San Francisco Bay Area is. In fact, the region’s relative dearth of investors is often bemoaned by local entrepreneurs. But, at least once yearly, that changes, and the community gets to hear insights from prominent outside VCs firsthand. … Continue reading “At Venture Summit, 3 Takeaways For Entrepreneurs From VC Phil Black”
Genfit Promotes Dean Hum to President as it Preps US NASH Plans
Genfit (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GNFT]]) has promoted Dean Hum to president in addition to his duties as chief operating officer. The France-based company said Hum will relocate to its Cambridge, MA, office. Hum joined Genfit in 2000 as chief scientific officer. He became chief operating officer last year. Genfit is one of a growing number of biotechs … Continue reading “Genfit Promotes Dean Hum to President as it Preps US NASH Plans”
Kaleido Exec Brumm Is Stepping Down to Become CEO of Another Biotech
Joshua Brumm, chief operating and chief financial officer of Kaleido Biosciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:KLDO]]) since last year, will step down on Oct. 11. Lexington, MA-based Kaleido said that Brumm is leaving to become president and CEO of an undisclosed biotechnology company. Richard Scalzo, Kaleido’s corporate controller, has been appointed principal accounting officer and will assume some … Continue reading “Kaleido Exec Brumm Is Stepping Down to Become CEO of Another Biotech”
Biotech Roundup: Vaping Toll Rises, NASH News, Akcea Shakeup & More
Lung injuries linked to electronic cigarettes have topped 800 cases, including 12 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public health officials aren’t sure whether the injuries are from legally sold products made by companies such as Juul, or from black-market items such as those that allow users to “vape” the active … Continue reading “Biotech Roundup: Vaping Toll Rises, NASH News, Akcea Shakeup & More”
Medallia Acquires Hospitality Software Startup Zingle for $42M
[Updated 2:40 p.m. 9/27. See below.] Zingle, a startup whose software is used by hospitality, travel, and retail industries to more easily and quickly connect with their customers via messaging, has been acquired for about $42 million in cash by Medallia, a publicly traded software company in San Francisco. The Medallia (NYSE: [[ticker:MDLA]]) IPO earlier … Continue reading “Medallia Acquires Hospitality Software Startup Zingle for $42M”
Meissa Scores $30M to Test Vaccine for Dangerous Respiratory Virus
No vaccine is yet available for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes lung infections that, while usually mild, can be deadly for very young children. Biotech startup Meissa Vaccines, which aims to fill that treatment gap, announced today it raised $30 million to fund early-stage clinical trials for its experimental RSV vaccine. Morningside Ventures, a … Continue reading “Meissa Scores $30M to Test Vaccine for Dangerous Respiratory Virus”
Enanta Steps Forward in NASH Race, With Unclear Prospects
Enanta Pharmaceuticals late Wednesday became the latest of a number of companies to tout an emerging potential therapy for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, the fatty liver disease that is fast becoming a global epidemic. But it’s unclear whether the experimental treatment can stand out from the crowd. Enanta (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ENTA]]) said the higher of two tested doses of … Continue reading “Enanta Steps Forward in NASH Race, With Unclear Prospects”
Report: IPO Activity Picking Back Up Following Quiet, Volatile Q3
While the headlines may be dominated by news of WeWork putting its IPO on hold after reports about its questionable corporate governance, the overall initial public offering market is doing just fine. So far, 127 US companies went public in the first nine months of the year and the amount they raised already topped three … Continue reading “Report: IPO Activity Picking Back Up Following Quiet, Volatile Q3”
Hookipa Pharma Names Christine Baker CBO, Roman Necina CTO
Christine Baker has joined Hookipa Pharma (NASDAQ: [[ticker:HOOK]]) as chief business officer, the same position she held at EpicentRx. New York-based Hookipa also appointed Roman Necina chief technology officer. Necina, who is currently a senior vice president for technical development and chief strategist at Takeda Pharmaceutical (NYSE: [[ticker:TAK]]), will start at Hookipa in November. The … Continue reading “Hookipa Pharma Names Christine Baker CBO, Roman Necina CTO”
Catabasis Names Ex-Alkermes Exec Komjathy Chief Commercial Officer
Andrew Komjathy has been appointed chief commercial officer of Catabasis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CATB]]). He joins the Cambridge, MA, drug developer from Alkermes (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ALKS]]), where he was vice president of commercial sales. His experience also includes positions at Genzyme, Shire, and Biogen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]). Catabasis has changed its therapeutic focus several times , having pursued drugs … Continue reading “Catabasis Names Ex-Alkermes Exec Komjathy Chief Commercial Officer”
CyberFortress Adds $3M Seed Round for Cybersecurity Insurance Tech
San Antonio—[Updated 12:22 p.m. See below.] CyberFortress, a cybersecurity company focused on the insurance industry, closed a $3 million seed funding round co-led by New York venture firm Greycroft and Austin, TX-based LiveOak Venture Partners. Founded in 2018 in San Antonio, CyberFortress is still developing its product, which will insure e-commerce businesses. The company’s plans … Continue reading “CyberFortress Adds $3M Seed Round for Cybersecurity Insurance Tech”
MedCo Preps for FDA Filing as Cholesterol Drug Clears Last Two Tests
The Medicines Co. this morning inched closer to bringing a twice-yearly cholesterol-lowering drug to market, touting a positive result in two more Phase 3 studies. Without providing details, MedCo (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MDCO]]) said that the experimental medicine, inclisiran, hit all of its main and secondary goals in two Phase 3 studies called ORION-9 and ORION-10. Like … Continue reading “MedCo Preps for FDA Filing as Cholesterol Drug Clears Last Two Tests”
TigerGraph Raises $32M to Extend Graph Database Use to Businesses
TigerGraph, one of the companies advancing the use of graph databases for faster analysis of the connections among people and things, announced today it raised $32 million in Series B funding round led by private equity investor SIG. The new capital brings TigerGraph’s fundraising total to $65 million. Redwood City, CA-based TigerGraph says it’s now … Continue reading “TigerGraph Raises $32M to Extend Graph Database Use to Businesses”
Amazon Launches Virtual Clinic to Help Its Employees Get Healthcare
Amazon has created a new service where its employees can get treatment and advice for non-emergency health issues, according to a website the tech giant recently brought online. Amazon (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMZN]]) says the program, Amazon Care, combines telemedicine services, in-person visits with licensed clinicians, and prescription medication delivery. Amazon Care is currently “being piloted for … Continue reading “Amazon Launches Virtual Clinic to Help Its Employees Get Healthcare”
Forma Therapeutics Adds Kelly, Shegog, and Wadlinger to C-Suite
Forma Therapeutics has promoted Patrick Kelly to senior vice president and chief medical officer. Kelly previously led translational clinical activities for Watertown, MA-based Forma. In other moves, Mary Wadlinger was promoted from senior vice president of human resources to senior vice president of corporate affairs and chief human resources officer. Forma also named Todd Shegog … Continue reading “Forma Therapeutics Adds Kelly, Shegog, and Wadlinger to C-Suite”
Concert Pharma Names Ex-Merrimack Exec Munsie Chief Legal Officer
Concert Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:CNCE]]) has appointed Jeffrey Munsie to serve as its chief legal officer. Munsie was most recently senior vice president, general counsel, and head of corporate operations at Merrimack Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:MACK]]). Earlier this month, Lexington, MA-based Concert released positive Phase 2 data for CTP-543, an experimental treatment for hair loss caused by … Continue reading “Concert Pharma Names Ex-Merrimack Exec Munsie Chief Legal Officer”
Drug Pricing: Innovation, Investment, and the Public Good
The US biotech and life sciences industry has a long and proud history of driving medical innovations that have improved healthcare outcomes across a wide range of diseases and the overall quality of life for people worldwide. For too long, however, the industry’s narrative has been dominated and defined by partisans with a specific agenda … Continue reading “Drug Pricing: Innovation, Investment, and the Public Good”
Katerra To Make Ultra-Strong Wood Panels at New Factory in WA
[Updated 9/23/19, 6:29 pm. See below.] Construction tech firm Katerra, a 4-year-old Bay area startup with a big fundraising total, a big backer, and big ambitions, officially opened a big factory today in eastern Washington state. Katerra’s activities in the construction field range from project management software and design to the manufacture of pre-fabricated structural … Continue reading “Katerra To Make Ultra-Strong Wood Panels at New Factory in WA”
FDA Decision Expands Market for Exact Sciences’ Cologuard Test
Exact Sciences has taken another step toward ramping up sales of its flagship product, a non-invasive, stool-based screening test for colorectal cancer. The FDA has approved the test, Cologuard, for eligible, average-risk patients ages 45 and older, which expands the market that Madison, WI-based Exact can address with its product. The Monday decision by the … Continue reading “FDA Decision Expands Market for Exact Sciences’ Cologuard Test”
Amgen’s Galimi Jumps to Adicet Bio to Become Chief Medical Officer
Francesco Galimi has been appointed senior vice president and chief medical officer of Adicet Bio. Galimi comes to the Menlo Park, CA-based cancer drug developer from Amgen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AMGN]]), where he was global program general manager of early development. His experience also includes positions at Onyx Pharmaceuticals and the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research … Continue reading “Amgen’s Galimi Jumps to Adicet Bio to Become Chief Medical Officer”
Omega Therapeutics Taps Ex-Macrolide Pharma Exec Karande for CEO
Mahesh Karande has been appointed CEO of Omega Therapeutics. Karande was most recently president and CEO of Macrolide Pharmaceuticals. His experience also includes positions at Novartis (NYSE: [[ticker:NVS]]). Cambridge, MA-based Omega, which was formed by venture capital firm Flagship Pioneering, is developing drugs based on epigenetics, the study of the biological mechanisms that turn genes … Continue reading “Omega Therapeutics Taps Ex-Macrolide Pharma Exec Karande for CEO”
Akcea Shakes Up Management and Shows Three Executives the Door
Akcea Therapeutics has already been struggling to turn its two products into commercial winners. Now it will have to do so during a massive management transition. Akcea (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AKCA]]) said Monday that CEO Paula Soteropoulos, president Sarah Boyce and chief operating officer Jeff Goldberg have left the company. Akcea’s board of directors has appointed Damien … Continue reading “Akcea Shakes Up Management and Shows Three Executives the Door”
An Entrepreneur’s Quest to Make Seattle a Genome Sciences Hub
Ivan Liachko turned postdoctoral research at the University of Washington into a company whose genomics tools are now found in laboratories researching human, animal, and plant health. His firm, Phase Genomics, was one of the first startups to come out of UW’s genome sciences department. As a first-time entrepreneur working from UW’s incubator more than … Continue reading “An Entrepreneur’s Quest to Make Seattle a Genome Sciences Hub”
Flagship’s Omega Aims to Take Epigenetic Drugs a Step Further
A biotech startup called Omega Therapeutics debuts this morning touting a new approach to developing medicines based on epigenetics, a field of research that has tantalized drug makers for years but produced mixed results. Can the fledgling company surpass previous efforts and develop epigenetic drugs for a slew of different diseases? Cambridge, MA-based Omega was … Continue reading “Flagship’s Omega Aims to Take Epigenetic Drugs a Step Further”