Both the House leadership and the Trump administration are preparing to challenge the power of Google, Facebook, and other big tech companies by launching antitrust investigations into their allegedly anticompetitive business practices, as the Washington Post detailed it this week. But the growing concern about the pervasive control of tech giants in arenas such as … Continue reading “Apple Touts New Privacy Moves as Antitrust Probes Loom for Big Tech”
Highspot Snags $60M to Help Sales Professionals Refine Their Pitches
Highspot, a startup developing collaborative software for sales and marketing teams at large companies, announced Tuesday it has raised $60 million from investors. San Francisco-based Iconiq Capital led the Series D funding round, and was joined by new investor Sapphire Ventures, Highspot says. Other participants included return backers Madrona Venture Group, OpenView, Shasta Ventures, and … Continue reading “Highspot Snags $60M to Help Sales Professionals Refine Their Pitches”
Eli Lilly’s Approved Migraine Drug Wins FDA OK for Cluster Headache
An Eli Lilly migraine drug that was approved last fall now has the regulatory nod to treat a rarer form of headache that tends to occur in clusters. The FDA on Tuesday approved the Lilly (NYSE: [[ticker:LLY]]) drug galcanezumab (Emgality) for episodic cluster headaches, which patients experience as one to four headaches per day, each … Continue reading “Eli Lilly’s Approved Migraine Drug Wins FDA OK for Cluster Headache”
What’s Hot in Boston Biotech 2019: The Photos
From gene therapy’s renaissance to the uncertain future of Alzheimer’s treatments, it’s a challenging but exciting time in the life sciences. Xconomy’s recent What’s Hot in Boston Biotech forum gathered a stellar group of industry leaders to dissect and reflect on many of the sector’s most urgent issues—and have a bit of fun, too. Check … Continue reading “What’s Hot in Boston Biotech 2019: The Photos”
NASA, Liongard, Springdale, TFF, HX, Women@Austin & More TX Tech
[Updated 6/07/19, 1:00 pm ET. See below.] Let’s catch up with the latest innovation news in Texas. —NASA has selected a Houston space tech company as one of three firms with a contract to design, build, and send spacecraft to the moon with experiments and other packages, according to a press release. Intuitive Machines makes the … Continue reading “NASA, Liongard, Springdale, TFF, HX, Women@Austin & More TX Tech”
Bayer and Arvinas Join Forces in $115M Pharma & Ag Research Alliance
Bayer is committing $115 million to Arvinas in a partnership focused on turning the biotech’s technology for getting rid of harmful proteins into new products for both human health and agriculture. According to the deal announced Tuesday, the German life sciences and agtech giant will pay New Haven, CT-based Arvinas (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARVN]]) more than $60 … Continue reading “Bayer and Arvinas Join Forces in $115M Pharma & Ag Research Alliance”
Inhibrx, Fresh Off $40M Funding to Advance Cancer Drugs, Eyes IPO
Two weeks after raising $40 million to push ahead with its drug development programs, Inhibrx submitted paperwork to the SEC revealing that it aims to raise money in the public market, too. The La Jolla, CA-based company, which is developing protein drugs targeting cancer and other diseases, was founded in 2010. Read more about the … Continue reading “Inhibrx, Fresh Off $40M Funding to Advance Cancer Drugs, Eyes IPO”
Study: Gene Edits in CRISPR Babies Could Boost Risk of Earlier Death
The Chinese scientist He Jiankui, who revealed last fall that he used CRISPR gene editing to try to make twin newborn girls immune to HIV infection, might have also given them a higher risk of death. That’s according to a new study from University of California, Berkeley data scientists who analyzed the records of more … Continue reading “Study: Gene Edits in CRISPR Babies Could Boost Risk of Earlier Death”
LevelTen Energy Raises $20.5M to Facilitate Clean Power Purchases
LevelTen Energy, a startup that helps corporations make renewable energy purchases, has raised $20.5 million from investors. The Seattle-based company says it plans to use some of the new money to fund product development, make new hires, and expand into Europe. Prelude Ventures, a cleantech-focused venture firm based in San Francisco, led the Series B … Continue reading “LevelTen Energy Raises $20.5M to Facilitate Clean Power Purchases”
Bluebird Bio’s Gene Therapy for Blood Disease Wins European Approval
Bluebird Bio has won regulatory approval for its first gene therapy, a treatment for the rare blood disease beta thalassemia. Cambridge, MA-based Bluebird said Monday that the European Commission’s regulatory nod for its therapy, Zynteglo, is a conditional approval, meaning the decision was made with less data than typically required for new drugs. Such approvals … Continue reading “Bluebird Bio’s Gene Therapy for Blood Disease Wins European Approval”
From Farm to (Financial) Table: Holt Ventures Partner Meg Paulus
San Antonio—Meg Paulus gets a sense of comfort when she walks around the campus of her work at Holt Cat, a San Antonio-based heavy equipment and engine dealer focused on Caterpillar tractors. Paulus grew up in rural southeast Wisconsin where she raised sheep and chickens and showed them off at annual 4-H fairs. Those memories … Continue reading “From Farm to (Financial) Table: Holt Ventures Partner Meg Paulus”
Seattle VC Watch: EndoGastric, Dolly, MDmetrix, SeekOut & More
Let’s catch up on some of the notable funding rounds raised by Seattle-area tech and life sciences companies in May: —EndoGastric Solutions, a Redmond-based business developing minimally invasive medical devices, said it raised $14.5 million from investors. EndoGastric’s devices treat gastroesophegeal reflux disease, which can cause chronic heartburn and injury to the esophageal lining. The … Continue reading “Seattle VC Watch: EndoGastric, Dolly, MDmetrix, SeekOut & More”
Boston Tech Watch: LearnLaunch, Starry, Bodeswell, HqO & Pillo
A wave of funding crashed on Boston startups this week, as well as a major acquisition of a cybersecurity and threat intelligence company. Read on for more of this week’s Boston-area tech news. —Kytopen, a Cambridge, MA-based technology company engineering testing and manufacturing systems for cell therapy, raised $3.6 million in seed funding from MIT’s … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: LearnLaunch, Starry, Bodeswell, HqO & Pillo”
Bio Roundup: Opioids in Court, IPO Parade, Brain Cancer Bet & More
[Corrected 5/31/19, 8:48 am ET. See below.] Pharmaceutical companies that make or market opioids have found themselves in legal hot water, and much of the heat is coming from Oklahoma. This week, a trial began litigating Johnson & Johnson’s responsibility for opioid addiction in the Sooner State. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: [[ticker:JNJ]]) entered the Norman, … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Opioids in Court, IPO Parade, Brain Cancer Bet & More”
Quantum Computing 101: Brilliant, Google, Microsoft Training Workers
From Microsoft and IBM to Alphabet’s unit X and Canada’s D-Wave Systems, companies are racing to build powerful quantum computers that may solve problems beyond the capacity of the most sophisticated conventional processors, and do it much faster. It’ll be some years before such uber-computers are robust and reliable enough for broad commercial use. But … Continue reading “Quantum Computing 101: Brilliant, Google, Microsoft Training Workers”
Wayne State Is MI Mobility Institute’s First Educational Partner
The Michigan Mobility Institute, an organization working to create a new crop of mobility professionals with skills in artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, and other related fields, has chosen its inaugural educational partner. Jessica Robinson, the institute’s executive director, says Wayne State University’s College of Engineering will lead development of a graduate-level advanced mobility education curriculum. … Continue reading “Wayne State Is MI Mobility Institute’s First Educational Partner”
Bristol Myers’ Mercier to Join Gilead as Chief Commercial Officer
Johanna Mercier has been appointed chief commercial officer of Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]). Mercier is joining the Foster City, CA, company from Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: [[ticker:BMY]]), where she was president and head of the company’s large markets division. Laura Hamill, Gilead’s executive vice president of worldwide commercial operations, is leaving the company. Mercier is … Continue reading “Bristol Myers’ Mercier to Join Gilead as Chief Commercial Officer”
Alnylam Pharma Promotes Kevin Fitzgerald to Chief Scientific Officer
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ALNY]]) has promoted Kevin Fitzgerald, its head of research, to senior vice president and chief scientific officer. Fitzgerald joined Cambridge, MA-based Alnylam in 2005. In other moves, Alnylam appointed Kelley Boucher senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Boucher was most recently vice president and head of global human resources for … Continue reading “Alnylam Pharma Promotes Kevin Fitzgerald to Chief Scientific Officer”
Sante, GST, BackTracks, 101 Commerce, Plug and Play, & More TX Tech
Let’s get caught up with the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —Healthcare venture firm Sante Ventures has closed a $250 million fund, its third. Sante’s Fund III has commitments from 32 investors, which includes half of previous investors joining in the new fund, according to Kevin Lalande, Sante’s co-founder and managing director. The Austin-based … Continue reading “Sante, GST, BackTracks, 101 Commerce, Plug and Play, & More TX Tech”
Vertex Selects Drug Combo, a Potential Therapy for 90% of CF Patients
[Updated, 12:57 p.m. See below.] Vertex Pharmaceuticals is already a leader in cystic fibrosis therapies. The company is placing its bet on an experimental drug that could strengthen its dominant position. Vertex said it will file for regulatory approval of VX-445, an experimental drug that the company estimates could treat up to 90 percent of … Continue reading “Vertex Selects Drug Combo, a Potential Therapy for 90% of CF Patients”
With $35M, Whole Biome Eyes 2020 Launch of Medical Food for Diabetes
Diabetes treatments available today include shots and pills intended to restore the hormone balance that leads to healthy blood sugar levels. Whole Biome aims to accomplish the same thing—but with a capsule that targets the gut microbiome. Whole Biome is preparing to launch its product early next year. To support those plans, the San Francisco-based … Continue reading “With $35M, Whole Biome Eyes 2020 Launch of Medical Food for Diabetes”
Agenda Posted for Net@50 on July 16 at MIT Media Lab
Come celebrate milestones the internet has made over the past 50 years at a special event called Net@50 on July 16 in Cambridge, MA, organized by the World Frontiers Forum and Xconomy. An afternoon forum at the MIT Media Lab will explore the big issues and challenges surrounding the internet. And a gala dinner at … Continue reading “Agenda Posted for Net@50 on July 16 at MIT Media Lab”
Can Tiny Drug Doses (and One Woman’s Fortune) Fight the Most Vicious Cancer?
When the brain goes bad, modern medicine is often powerless to help. That’s the case for Alzheimer’s disease, where drug after drug has failed, and the only approved treatments are marginally helpful at best. The same seems increasingly clear for the most common and aggressive type of brain cancer, glioblastoma multiforme. Its origins are mysterious, … Continue reading “Can Tiny Drug Doses (and One Woman’s Fortune) Fight the Most Vicious Cancer?”
To Catch Early Cancer, and Rivals, Thrive Banks on Hopkins Blood Test
The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the odds of survival, and the race is on to detect the earliest traces of the disease from an otherwise healthy person’s blood sample. A new entrant in that race has emerged today. Thrive Earlier Detection has raised $110 million in financing from biotech investors Third Rock Ventures … Continue reading “To Catch Early Cancer, and Rivals, Thrive Banks on Hopkins Blood Test”
Recorded Future Bought for $780M in Latest Boston Cybersecurity Deal
Recorded Future is being acquired by tech investor Insight Partners in a $780 million all-cash deal, the cyber-threat intelligence company announced this morning. Insight Partners, a New York-based venture capital and private equity firm, led a $25 million round of funding that Recorded Future raised in October 2017. At the time, the cash put the … Continue reading “Recorded Future Bought for $780M in Latest Boston Cybersecurity Deal”
The Winners of the 2019 Xconomy Awards San Diego Are…
The nominees and finalists for the first-ever Xconomy Awards San Diego were an impressive bunch, making it tough for our judges and the editors to pick the winners. There were multiple deserving companies and people in each category. After much discussion and debate, we decided that these winners represent the best of the San Diego … Continue reading “The Winners of the 2019 Xconomy Awards San Diego Are…”
CrowdStrike IPO: Cybersecurity Firms Defend Themselves, and You
Of the many risks facing a cybersecurity company that’s trying to raise money through an initial public offering, here’s one that might surprise some investors: cyber attacks. Cybersecurity is important for everyone as hackers and governments continue to develop new and unique ways of stealing or compromising private information, which is more accessible than ever. … Continue reading “CrowdStrike IPO: Cybersecurity Firms Defend Themselves, and You”
OpenSesame Gets $28M as Job Training Software Market Stays Active
OpenSesame, a company developing workforce education and training software, announced Wednesday it has raised about $28 million from investors. Portland OR-based OpenSesame says in a news release that it plans to use some of the proceeds from the Series C round to offer more courses and fund sales and marketing of its products. FTV Capital, … Continue reading “OpenSesame Gets $28M as Job Training Software Market Stays Active”
Atara Bio Appoints Pascal Touchon as Isaac Ciechanover’s Successor
Pascal Touchon has been appointed president and CEO of Atara Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ATRA]]). He is also joining the South San Francisco company’s board of directors. He succeeds Isaac Ciechanover, who announced earlier this year that he would step down as president, CEO, and board member. Atara said Ciechanover will serve as a special advisor to … Continue reading “Atara Bio Appoints Pascal Touchon as Isaac Ciechanover’s Successor”
Vertex Exec Sepp-Lorenzino Named Intellia Chief Scientific Officer
Laura Sepp-Lorenzino has joined Intellia Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NTLA]]) as executive vice president and chief scientific officer. She comes to the Cambridge, MA, drug developer from Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VRTX]]), where she was vice president, head of nucleic acid therapies, research leadership, as well as a member of the company’s external innovation team. Her experience also … Continue reading “Vertex Exec Sepp-Lorenzino Named Intellia Chief Scientific Officer”
Immunotherapy Is Now Here For Breast Cancer. What Are Its Prospects?
Drugs that rev up a patient’s immune system have changed how we treat cancers of the skin, lung, and more, offering people whose tumors have spread a chance to live longer than ever thought possible. But until this year, the field had nothing for breast cancer, which kills more women than any other cancer type. … Continue reading “Immunotherapy Is Now Here For Breast Cancer. What Are Its Prospects?”
Bodeswell Wants Financial Planning to Be a Game With “Real Loot”
There’s no shortage of financial software companies offering to plug into bank and investment accounts, chart out spending and income graphics, and let users construct monthly budgets or savings goals. Familiar names like Intuit’s (NASDAQ: [[ticker:INTU]]) Quicken and Mint have been joined by apps like Personal Capital, You Need A Budget, Wally, Cinch, and other … Continue reading “Bodeswell Wants Financial Planning to Be a Game With “Real Loot””
The Biotech IPO Queue Grows Longer as Five More Companies File
The biotech IPO train is rolling onward, with five more companies climbing aboard. The companies, ranging from a late-stage firm looking to finance Phase 3 studies to preclinical companies laying the groundwork for their first drug trials with human subjects, submitted their paperwork to the SEC late Friday—just before the start of Memorial Day weekend. Here’s … Continue reading “The Biotech IPO Queue Grows Longer as Five More Companies File”
With Sliver of Data, BioMarin to Seek OK for Hemophilia Gene Therapy
A gene therapy for hemophilia could be on the market by the end of next year, according to its developer BioMarin Pharmaceutical, if regulators agree that a tiny amount of data show enough promise. San Rafael, CA-based BioMarin (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BMRN]]) said this morning that a single dose of the therapy, valoctocogene roxaparvovec—known in shorthand as … Continue reading “With Sliver of Data, BioMarin to Seek OK for Hemophilia Gene Therapy”
Upland Software Acquires Marketing Software Business Kapost for $45M
Austin—Upland Software is paying $45 million to acquire Kapost, a Boulder, CO-based company with software for managing marketing content. Upland (NASDAQ: [[ticker:UPLD]]) sells business applications, including some for communicating with customers, managing sales, and automating financial and professional services. Kapost was founded in 2009 and sells software for planning, production, and distribution of marketing and … Continue reading “Upland Software Acquires Marketing Software Business Kapost for $45M”
San Diego Tech Roundup: Startup Week, Planck, TuSimple & More
On the eve of the start of the seventh annual San Diego Startup Week, let’s learn more about the event—which is expected to draw thousands to its talks and gatherings—and take a look at some other recent tech news. —Local entrepreneurs have dozens of speakers teed up and get-togethers organized for Startup Week, which kicks … Continue reading “San Diego Tech Roundup: Startup Week, Planck, TuSimple & More”
Stoke Therapeutics Preps IPO to Bring Dravet Syndrome Drug to Clinic
After Stoke Therapeutics closed $90 million in financing last fall, CEO Ed Kaye signaled his biotech would seek more cash through an IPO soon. The preclinical-stage biotech is now officially on a path to the public markets. In paperwork filed late Thursday with the SEC, Bedford, MA-based Stoke set a preliminary $86 million target for … Continue reading “Stoke Therapeutics Preps IPO to Bring Dravet Syndrome Drug to Clinic”
Inhibrix Pulls In $40M to Press Ahead With Cancer Drug Clinical Trials
Inhibrx, developer of protein drugs targeting cancer and other diseases, has raised $40 million from the hedge fund Viking Global Investors as the biotech steers several programs through early-stage clinical trials. The La Jolla, CA-based company was founded in 2010 by Mark Lappe, Brendan Eckelman, and Quinn Deveraux. Eckelman is the company’s chief scientific officer … Continue reading “Inhibrix Pulls In $40M to Press Ahead With Cancer Drug Clinical Trials”
Second US Gene Therapy, Approved for Rare Muscle Disease, to Cost $2M
The FDA today has made Zolgensma, a Novartis treatment for the rare genetic disease spinal muscular atrophy, the second approved gene therapy in the US. The news marks a milestone for SMA patients, who have only one other approved medicine available. But it comes with a cost: At $2.125 million, Zolgensma’s price tag creates a … Continue reading “Second US Gene Therapy, Approved for Rare Muscle Disease, to Cost $2M”
Boston Tech Watch: Robin, Markforged, Air Force AI & CozyKin
The Air Force and MIT partner on AI research. Meeting room tech raises more dough. “Autopilot” for 3D printers. And robot companies teaming up to fill your next ecommerce order. Read on for more of what went down this week in Boston tech news. —Robin Powered, a Boston startup building workplace desk- and meeting room-booking … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Robin, Markforged, Air Force AI & CozyKin”
Bio Roundup: Zolgensma Watch, Brain Cancer Blues, Peloton Payout & More
Patients, doctors, family members, and drug-price watchdogs continued to wait for the expected approval of Zolgensma, a Novartis (NYSE: [[ticker:NVS]]) gene therapy for the rare inherited disease spinal muscular atrophy. Originally developed at a children’s hospital in Ohio, Zolgensma will be a litmus test for the nascent field. If approved this week or next, it … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Zolgensma Watch, Brain Cancer Blues, Peloton Payout & More”
Scoop Partners with Bedrock to Bring Carpooling Service to Detroiters
Scoop, the app-based carpooling service headquartered in San Francisco, landed in Detroit this week and will now facilitate rides for residents living in seven Motor City ZIP codes that encompass downtown, Midtown, Corktown, and neighborhoods to the immediate east and west of downtown. When Scoop enters a new market, its approach involves partnering with a … Continue reading “Scoop Partners with Bedrock to Bring Carpooling Service to Detroiters”
Nektar Forms New Company Inheris to Take Reins on Pain, CNS Drugs
If Nektar Therapeutics wins FDA approval this summer for an opioid painkiller it designed to be less addictive than other opioids, another company will usher the new product onto the market. San Francisco-based Nektar (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NKTR]]) announced Thursday that it formed Inheris Biopharma to take the reins on pain drug NKTR-181, as well as several … Continue reading “Nektar Forms New Company Inheris to Take Reins on Pain, CNS Drugs”
Ideaya and Bicycle Therapeutics IPOs Raise $110M for Cancer Drug R&D
Ideaya Biosciences and Bicycle Therapeutics priced their IPOs late Wednesday, raising a combined $110 million to continue clinical trials of their respective experimental cancer drugs. South San Francisco-based Ideaya raised $50 million. The company priced its offering of 5 million shares at $10 apiece, well below the targeted price range of $13 to $15 per … Continue reading “Ideaya and Bicycle Therapeutics IPOs Raise $110M for Cancer Drug R&D”
Despite Industrial Tech’s Growing Sophistication, US Adoption Lags
This week, Detroit is hosting SME’s RAPID + TCT event, a conference and trade show dedicated to additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing. It’s the first time the conference, which draws attendees from across the world, has been held in Detroit since 2014. Maria Conrado, SME’s senior event manager, says the conference has grown … Continue reading “Despite Industrial Tech’s Growing Sophistication, US Adoption Lags”
Scaleworks Acquires SearchSpring for First Deal From Second Fund
San Antonio—Scaleworks is acquiring SearchSpring, a Denver, CO-based business that makes search and navigation systems for online stores and ecommerce businesses. The acquisition is the first for Scaleworks’ $80 million second fund, which the San Antonio investment firm announced it had raised in February. Founded in 2016, Scaleworks branded its investment style as a mix … Continue reading “Scaleworks Acquires SearchSpring for First Deal From Second Fund”
Cala Health Secures $50M to Launch Anti-Tremor Wrist Device
Cala Health announced this week it raised $50 million in a Series C financing that will fund the market introduction of its wristwatch-like device that delivers nerve stimulation as a remedy for tremors of the hands. New investors Novartis, Baird Capital, LifeSci Venture Partners and TriVentures participated in the fundraising round, and were joined by … Continue reading “Cala Health Secures $50M to Launch Anti-Tremor Wrist Device”
WI Watchlist: Montage, LÜM, WEDC, Titan Spine, Polco, Swallow & More
A medical device for patients with swallowing disorders gets new life. A music streaming app gets an influx of cash. The state’s economic development agency faces more criticism for its practices. Startups in recruiting tech, medtech, and civic tech strike merger and acquisition deals. Read on for more details about these stories and other recent … Continue reading “WI Watchlist: Montage, LÜM, WEDC, Titan Spine, Polco, Swallow & More”
Smart Cities Startups, Upswing, Coder, VanillaSoft & More TX Tech
Let’s catch up with the latest innovation news in Texas. —The Dallas-based Innov8te Smart Cities Incubator has named the six startups in its first program, according to a press release. The startups are using technology to help local governments sync data in currently siloed departments, analytics to help cities measure business and individual tourism, and … Continue reading “Smart Cities Startups, Upswing, Coder, VanillaSoft & More TX Tech”
Former Arsanis CEO René Russo Tapped to Lead Akrevia Therapeutics
René Russo has been appointed CEO of Akrevia Therapeutics. She is also joining the Cambridge, MA, company’s board of directors. Russo was most recently CEO of Arsanis (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ASNS]]), a biotech that combined operations with X4 Pharmaceuticals in a reverse merger earlier this year. Launched last year with $30 million in financing, Akrevia is developing … Continue reading “Former Arsanis CEO René Russo Tapped to Lead Akrevia Therapeutics”