Houston—Medical research is big business in Houston, but life science companies sometimes find they’re missing out on the clinical trial services typically provided by contract research organizations (CROs). Proxima Clinical Research wants to fill that gap, and the new company plans a more customer-focused approach to do it. “We plan to implement ‘agile development’ into … Continue reading “Proxima Aims to Fill CRO Gap for Houston’s Growing Biotech Community”
With New Cash, Curate Helps Builders Scrape the Web for New Business
After political and business leaders announced last July that the Taiwanese giant Foxconn planned to construct an enormous display manufacturing facility in Wisconsin, people in the state were eager to learn the exact location where the plant would be built. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., which agreed to provide Foxconn with up to $3 billion … Continue reading “With New Cash, Curate Helps Builders Scrape the Web for New Business”
Ex-Imprivata CEO Takes Helm at Placester, Upping IPO Stakes
[Updated 3/14/18, 5:35 pm. See below.] It’s a common tale in the startup world: A founding CEO builds the company, and eventually a more seasoned executive is brought in to lead the business to (ideally) new heights. That’s the play Placester is making. The Boston-based real estate software company announced Wednesday that it hired Omar … Continue reading “Ex-Imprivata CEO Takes Helm at Placester, Upping IPO Stakes”
Illumina Picks Genomic Health’s Phil Febbo for Chief Medical Officer
Illumina (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ILMN]]) has appointed Phil Febbo to serve as chief medical officer of the San Diego genomics technologies company. Febbo most recently worked as chief medical officer of Redwood City, CA-based Genomic Health (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GHDX]]). Before that, he was a professor of medicine and urology at the University of California, San Francisco.
BioMarin’s Wolfgang Dummer Named Aridis Chief Medical Officer
Aridis Pharmaceuticals has appointed Wolfgang Dummer to serve as chief medical officer. Before joining the San Jose, CA, company, Dummer was vice president of clinical development at BioMarin Pharmaceutical (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BMRN]]) in Novato, CA. His experience also includes positions at Genentech and the Scripps Research Institute. Aridis develops antibody drugs to treat infectious diseases.
New U-M Tech Transfer Director Maps Plan for Entrepreneurial Outreach
Last spring, Ken Nisbet, the longtime director of the University of Michigan’s technology transfer office, announced his retirement. After a nationwide search, Kelly Sexton was hired as Nisbet’s successor earlier this year. We called Sexton to hear more about her background as well as her plans for commercializing innovations born at U-M. Sexton is a … Continue reading “New U-M Tech Transfer Director Maps Plan for Entrepreneurial Outreach”
Big VCs Join Xconomy in San Diego to Discuss Big Data, Big Biology
In the Boston office of GE Ventures, managing director Alex de Winter is overseeing investments in companies like Veracyte, which is applying machine learning to genomic sequencing technology to help doctors distinguish benign growths from cancer. At Intel Capital in the Bay Area, investment director Ranjeet Alexis is an expert in bioinformatics who is scouting … Continue reading “Big VCs Join Xconomy in San Diego to Discuss Big Data, Big Biology”
Crinetics Closes $63.5M Financing to Back Rare Hormone Disease Drug
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, a San Diego biotech focused on developing new drugs for endocrine disorders and endocrine-related cancers, said today it has raised $63.5 million in a Series B financing led by Perceptive Advisors, the New York biotech fund. Two new investors, RA Capital and OrbiMed, joined the round, along with existing investors 5AM Ventures, Versant … Continue reading “Crinetics Closes $63.5M Financing to Back Rare Hormone Disease Drug”
Geekdom and Alamo Angels Offer “Pre-Accelerator” to Local Startups
San Antonio—Co-working space Geekdom and angel network Alamo Angels are launching a “pre-accelerator” program that gives mentorship and advice to San Antonio startups, which the organizations hope will help position young businesses to be accepted into accelerator programs or attract early stage investments. Startups don’t have to pay to participate in the program, which is … Continue reading “Geekdom and Alamo Angels Offer “Pre-Accelerator” to Local Startups”
Kitty Hawk Who? Uber’s Best-Laid Plans for Flying Cars, Air Travel
If all goes as planned for Uber, and the company launches an air-transportation service in 2020, it will need to hire a lot of pilots. Exactly how many is a little unclear: One of the executives leading Uber’s effort to apply its ride-sharing model to air travel contended during a panel at South by Southwest … Continue reading “Kitty Hawk Who? Uber’s Best-Laid Plans for Flying Cars, Air Travel”
DTN Set to Acquire Spensa, Continuing Trend of Farm Software Deals
Spensa Technologies, a startup that has developed sensors, software, and other products that give farmers insights about their operations, is now set to become part of global digital services company DTN. Minneapolis-based DTN announced Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire Spensa, a Purdue University spinout that operates from West Lafayette, IN. The companies disclosed … Continue reading “DTN Set to Acquire Spensa, Continuing Trend of Farm Software Deals”
Johnson Controls, Dohmen, PerBlue & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Stay current on news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Johnson Controls International (NYSE: [[ticker:JCI]]) said it’s considering selling its Power Solutions business, or spinning it out into a separate company. JCI said the corporate division, which sells car batteries and other auto parts, had total revenues of $7.3 billion in the fiscal … Continue reading “Johnson Controls, Dohmen, PerBlue & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Goldfinch Bio Names Peter Mundel Chief Scientific Officer
Goldfinch Bio has appointed Peter Mundel to serve as chief scientific officer of the Cambridge, MA, kidney disease drug developer. Mundel, a nephrologist, comes to Goldfinch from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where his research focused on developing treatments for kidney diseases. He was also a consultant to Third Rock Ventures, the venture … Continue reading “Goldfinch Bio Names Peter Mundel Chief Scientific Officer”
Innovate Biopharmaceuticals Picks June Almenoff for COO, CMO
June Almenoff has been appointed chief operating officer and chief medical officer of Innovate Biopharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:INNT]]). Almenoff’s experience includes serving as chief medical officer of Furiex Pharmaceuticals, as well as various positions at GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: [[ticker:GSK]]). Raleigh, NC-based Innovate’s lead drug, larazotide acetate, is being prepared to start Phase 3 studies testing it as … Continue reading “Innovate Biopharmaceuticals Picks June Almenoff for COO, CMO”
DraftKings CEO on Failed Merger, IPO Plans, Sports Betting Prospects
DraftKings has been busy since its proposed merger with FanDuel was scrapped last summer, after the two daily fantasy sports rivals decided not to fight a federal agency’s antitrust challenge to the deal. Boston-based DraftKings has since made a series of small moves to expand its business beyond its core paid daily fantasy sports contests. … Continue reading “DraftKings CEO on Failed Merger, IPO Plans, Sports Betting Prospects”
No Self-Editing: Biohacker Josiah Zayner Can’t Stop Living Out Loud
Gene editing has arrived. Of the various forms of the technology, CRISPR-Cas9 is the easiest to use, and it’s already showing up in summer camps and school science labs near you. That would be middle schools. When everyone can edit an organism’s genes, how will the world change? Should we be worried? National security officials … Continue reading “No Self-Editing: Biohacker Josiah Zayner Can’t Stop Living Out Loud”
Too Many Venture Capital Cooks in the Kitchen?
At Correlation Ventures, we spend a fair amount of time using our proprietary database to identify the telltale signs of successful startups. One question we asked recently is whether there are diminishing returns for adding VCs to the board of directors at venture-backed startups. Many of us have seen highly effective boards where experienced and … Continue reading “Too Many Venture Capital Cooks in the Kitchen?”
President Trump Prohibits Broadcom from Acquiring Qualcomm
In a surprising statement late today from the White House, President Donald Trump unilaterally prohibited Broadcom’s proposed takeover of Qualcomm (NASDAQ: [[ticker:QCOM]]), the world’s biggest maker of chips for smartphones. Citing a recommendation from a national security panel and other factors set forth under federal law, the statement also proclaims that all candidates that Broadcom … Continue reading “President Trump Prohibits Broadcom from Acquiring Qualcomm”
A.I. Is Advanced, But Decades From Singularity and Elon Musk’s Fears
Austin—The future of artificial intelligence and its applications for businesses, consumers, and life in general remain murky. Last year at South by Southwest, prognosticator Ray Kurzweil discussed his prediction that A.I. would have human-level intelligence by 2029. This year, Adam Cheyer, the co-founder of Siri, said he thinks it’ll take a bit longer. “In my … Continue reading “A.I. Is Advanced, But Decades From Singularity and Elon Musk’s Fears”
The Minority Venture Capital Opportunity
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the historic billion-dollar leveraged buyout of Beatrice Foods, put together by African-American business pioneer Reginald Lewis. As recently profiled in the PBS Documentary “Reginald Lewis and the Making of a Billion Dollar Empire,” Lewis was a business icon who paved the way for minority investors to ascend to … Continue reading “The Minority Venture Capital Opportunity”
Indianapolis Startup Octiv Acquired by Conga, Expects Growth in ‘18
Indianapolis-based productivity software startup TinderBox launched in 2010 before becoming Octiv in 2016. Now, Octiv has been acquired by Conga, a Colorado company specializing in document automation. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. David Kerr, Octiv’s CEO, says Conga has been around for about 10 years. It started out making software that … Continue reading “Indianapolis Startup Octiv Acquired by Conga, Expects Growth in ‘18”
Gilead CSO Bischofberger to Step Down, McHutchison Named Successor
Norbert Bischofberger, executive vice president of research and development and chief scientific officer of Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]), is stepping down after nearly 30 years with the company. Foster City, CA-based Gilead says Bischofberger will leave his position at the end of April but remain with the company through July. John McHutchison, who is currently … Continue reading “Gilead CSO Bischofberger to Step Down, McHutchison Named Successor”
Former Otonomy CSO LeBel Joins Frequency Therapeutics as Executive VP
Frequency Therapeutics has appointed Carl LeBel to serve as executive vice president of clinical development of the Woburn, MA, company. LeBel most recently worked for San Diego-based ear medicines company Otonomy, where he was chief scientific officer from 2009 through 2016. Frequency’s lead drug for hearing loss, FX-322, is expected to begin Phase 2 studies … Continue reading “Former Otonomy CSO LeBel Joins Frequency Therapeutics as Executive VP”
NASA-Funded Program Unveils Innovator Matchmaking Software at SXSW
Houston—Artificial intelligence is being used to attempt to disrupt industries across the economy, but can the technology innovate how innovation itself is discovered and promoted? That’s the premise of CHIP, the Collaborative Health Innovation Platform, unveiled Sunday at South By Southwest in Austin, TX. By combining data about startups, the technologies they are working on, and … Continue reading “NASA-Funded Program Unveils Innovator Matchmaking Software at SXSW”
Aquent Founder Pumps $100M Into Recruiting Marketplace Scout Exchange
In today’s job market, as U.S. hiring rises and the unemployment rate remains low, it’s even more important for employers to quickly find the right candidates to fill positions. That could spell more demand for recruiting websites like Scout Exchange—and investors are betting big on the Boston startup. Scout Exchange announced today that it has … Continue reading “Aquent Founder Pumps $100M Into Recruiting Marketplace Scout Exchange”
Biogen to Acquire Phase 2-Ready Schizophenia Drug from Pfizer
Biogen is entering neuropsychiatry drug development with a deal to acquire a schizophrenia drug candidate from Pfizer. Cambridge, MA-based Biogen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:BIIB]]) is paying Pfizer $75 million up front for the drug, PF-04958242. Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]) stands to gain as much as $515 million more if the drug hits development and commercialization milestones. If Biogen … Continue reading “Biogen to Acquire Phase 2-Ready Schizophenia Drug from Pfizer”
Orexigen’s Weight-Loss Roller Coaster to End With a Bankruptcy Sale
Orexigen Therapeutics has filed for bankruptcy to sell its weight loss pill to the highest bidder. The news follows years of ups and downs for Orexigen, which piled up debt as it struggled to successfully market its obesity drug, known as Contrave. Orexigen (NASDAQ: [[ticker:OREX]]) has filed for Chapter 11 protection, which shields companies from … Continue reading “Orexigen’s Weight-Loss Roller Coaster to End With a Bankruptcy Sale”
Despite Pharma Ties, Some Patient Groups Protest High Drug Prices
For 20 years, Deborah Long (pictured) has been relying on powerful drugs to keep her multiple sclerosis in check. Her out-of-pocket costs were pretty reasonable until two years ago, she says, when she had to switch insurance companies. Her new insurer made her switch to a different drug, Copaxone. When she tried to fill the … Continue reading “Despite Pharma Ties, Some Patient Groups Protest High Drug Prices”
New U-M Center Aims to Combat Spread of Fake News, Info Apocalypse
We’re all painfully familiar with the now ubiquitous term “fake news.” It first popped up during the 2016 presidential election, when media observers began seeing a proliferation of dubious news stories online that seemed engineered for maximum disruption and chaos. Since the election, the term “fake news” has evolved to be an almost meaningless catchall … Continue reading “New U-M Center Aims to Combat Spread of Fake News, Info Apocalypse”
Proper Media Acquires Spoutable, Last Piece of Venture Studio
After learning that Proper Media, a San Diego specialist in programmatic digital advertising had acquired Spoutable, it took a couple weeks to catch up with Spoutable CEO Jon Belmonte and ask: What happened to Cursive Labs? Spoutable began more than three years ago as part of Cursive Labs, a kind of holding company for startups … Continue reading “Proper Media Acquires Spoutable, Last Piece of Venture Studio”
Regeneron to Slash Price of Cholesterol Drug After Showing It Saved Lives
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and partner Sanofi report new data this morning from a large, highly-anticipated trial suggesting that their drug alirocumab (Praluent) may reduce the risk of death for people with high cholesterol who have recently suffered heart attacks or strokes and are at risk of having another one or dying. And in an unusual move, Regeneron—based … Continue reading “Regeneron to Slash Price of Cholesterol Drug After Showing It Saved Lives”
Froedtert Provides Patients with Symptom Checker from Boston Startup
Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin says it’s made an online symptom checker developed by a Massachusetts startup available to patients who receive care at the Milwaukee-based hospital and clinic network. The new tool for Froedtert patients is from Buoy Health. The Boston-based company has developed an online chatbot that searches through thousands of … Continue reading “Froedtert Provides Patients with Symptom Checker from Boston Startup”
“Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli Gets Seven Years for Securities Fraud
Outspoken former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli will serve seven years in prison, a sentence handed down Friday following securities fraud convictions related to two hedge funds and a drug company that he once ran. The judge in the case said Shkreli will receive credit for time served since September, when his bail was revoked, Bloomberg … Continue reading ““Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli Gets Seven Years for Securities Fraud”
Price Check on Aisle 3: Grocers Use A.I., Devices to Battle Amazon
[Updated 3/13/18 1:07 pm. See below.] If a shopper interacts with technology in a typical grocery store, it’s usually at the very end—as they are paying for their items. That could be about to change, though. “Scanning loyalty cards at checkout is a lost opportunity,” says Eliahu Sussman, marketing manager at Aila Technologies, a Boston-area maker … Continue reading “Price Check on Aisle 3: Grocers Use A.I., Devices to Battle Amazon”
Bio Roundup: Trump Health, Cholesterol Wars, 23andMe OK & More
Trump administration health officials were out on the stump this week, talking tough about drug prices and healthcare value, encouraging the private sector to take the lead but letting everyone know the federal government is willing to push. In the debate over high drug prices, arguably no class of drug has been punished more by … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Trump Health, Cholesterol Wars, 23andMe OK & More”
Ousted Uber CEO Travis Kalanick Re-Emerges With New Investment Fund
When you’re trying to put the past behind you and make a fresh start, it doesn’t hurt to have $1.4 billion in your pocket. Travis Kalanick, the Uber co-founder who was pressed to resign as CEO during a year of turmoil for the ride-hailing giant, became a billionaire when he sold nearly 30 percent of … Continue reading “Ousted Uber CEO Travis Kalanick Re-Emerges With New Investment Fund”
Boston Tech Watch: Akamai, Zuckerberg, Firecracker, Luminoso & More
[Updated 3/9/18, 2:30 pm. See below.] Here are some of the latest headlines from the Boston-area tech scene: —Wolters Kluwer Health said it reached a deal to acquire Firecracker, a Boston-based company that sells software that helps medical students prepare for exams. The purchase price wasn’t disclosed. Nine-year-old Firecracker has 16 employees, according to a … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Akamai, Zuckerberg, Firecracker, Luminoso & More”
Cigna to Buy Express Scripts, As Industry Continues to Consolidate
Cigna, one of America’s largest health insurance providers, said Thursday it had agreed to acquire Express Scripts in a deal valued at $52 billion. St. Louis-based Express Scripts (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ESRX]]) is the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit manager, or PBM. Organizations in that category manage prescription drug programs for commercial and government-provided health plans. Express Scripts … Continue reading “Cigna to Buy Express Scripts, As Industry Continues to Consolidate”
Before SXSW, Austin Tech Startups Tout Funds for Share of Spotlight
Austin—Besides drawing countless entrepreneurs to Austin every year, the days before South by Southwest also seems to be a time of startups making venture funding announcements, particularly those from Austin-based companies looking to make a name at the conference. The largest deal announced so far in the days before SXSW has been a $40 million … Continue reading “Before SXSW, Austin Tech Startups Tout Funds for Share of Spotlight”
MIT Sloan CIO Symposium
Information and registration here. The 2018 MIT Sloan CIO Symposium invites global business leaders to up their digital game from vision to execution. Learn from MIT academics, leading CIOs, senior executives, and industry experts about shaping a clear vision that encompasses emerging and evolving technologies like AI, big data, IoT, cybersecurity, blockchain, and cloud. Attendees … Continue reading “MIT Sloan CIO Symposium”
EPIcenter Focuses on Technology for Disaster Recovery With May Event
San Antonio—An organization focused on promoting energy businesses and innovation in San Antonio is taking a unique angle for the topic of a summit it is hosting in May: technologies that can help the recovery process from disasters, such as hurricanes or even cyber attacks. EPIcenter, which is redeveloping a 108-year-old power plant into a … Continue reading “EPIcenter Focuses on Technology for Disaster Recovery With May Event”
Playboy Article: Detroit is “Silicon Valley of Smart Mobility Tech”
We’ve all heard the cliche about reading Playboy only for its articles, but it turns out that the magazine really does have some stellar reporting. On Monday, Playboy posted an article that brings some validation to southeast Michigan’s role in the development of autonomous vehicles. Titled “Detroit is Becoming the Silicon Valley of Smart Mobility … Continue reading “Playboy Article: Detroit is “Silicon Valley of Smart Mobility Tech””
Rosana Kapeller Leaves Nimbus, Seeks “Executive Leadership Role”
Rosana Kapeller has resigned her position as chief scientific officer of Cambridge, MA, biotech company Nimbus Therapeutics. The company said in a news release that she is leaving to “explore an executive leadership role.” Kapeller was one of the founders of Nimbus, which was initially called Nimbus Discovery to reflect its focus on computer-aided drug … Continue reading “Rosana Kapeller Leaves Nimbus, Seeks “Executive Leadership Role””
AbbVie’s Steve England Joins 3Scan as Chief Science Officer
3Scan has appointed Steve England to serve as the San Francisco company’s chief science officer. England most recently worked at AbbVie (NYSE: [[ticker:ABBV]]), where he led a team focused on therapy development and emerging technology. His experience also includes drug discovery positions at AstraZeneca (NYSE: [[ticker:AZN]]) and Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]). 3Scan uses automation, machine learning, … Continue reading “AbbVie’s Steve England Joins 3Scan as Chief Science Officer”
Big Data Meets Big Biology on April 26: Early Bird Rate Ends Soon
Xconomy will explore the confluence of “big biology” with “big data” at our half-day forum on April 26. Just as the computing industry opened the way to technologies that enabled people to manage and analyze information in unprecedented ways, a new era in biology is opening the way for new technologies for understanding and using … Continue reading “Big Data Meets Big Biology on April 26: Early Bird Rate Ends Soon”
After Escher Exit, MIT Sandbox Aims to Mold More Student Startups
[Editor’s note: This is part of a series of stories examining entrepreneurship on MIT’s campus and beyond.] When Escher Reality announced in February that it had been acquired by Niantic, the augmented reality company that created Pokémon Go, it was a big win for the young, six-person startup born at MIT. It also provided some … Continue reading “After Escher Exit, MIT Sandbox Aims to Mold More Student Startups”
Prevail Gets $75M For Parkinson’s Gene Therapy, Bolstering NY Biotech
A potential gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease has just gotten a big boost thanks to one of the larger Series A investment rounds in years for a New York biotech. The funding, for Prevail Therapeutics, provides another jolt for the city’s life science startup scene. The startup, seeded in New York last year by OrbiMed … Continue reading “Prevail Gets $75M For Parkinson’s Gene Therapy, Bolstering NY Biotech”
Cyteir Bags $29M to Tap “Self Destruct” in Cancers, Immune Diseases
The rapid growth of cancer cells actually damages them, leading them to rely on internal repair mechanisms. Scientists are finding ways to disrupt these repair features to fight the disease, and their research is leading to a growing crop of startups. Among them: Cambridge, MA-based Cyteir Therapeutics, which has just raised $29 million from Venrock, … Continue reading “Cyteir Bags $29M to Tap “Self Destruct” in Cancers, Immune Diseases”
Robo Madness 2018 on April 12: Here’s the Agenda
Are you ready for the storm? Not that storm, this storm: Robo Madness 2018 is just over a month away. It’s Xconomy’s annual gathering of robotics and artificial intelligence leaders from Boston and beyond, and it’s all happening on the afternoon of April 12 at iRobot headquarters in Bedford, MA. This year’s theme is homecoming—robotics … Continue reading “Robo Madness 2018 on April 12: Here’s the Agenda”
Nonprofit Odylia Wants to Resurrect Stranded Gene Therapies
Luk Vandenberghe calls it a “sad irony.” After decades of ups and downs, gene therapy, which offers a long-lasting genetic fix for a disease, has arrived. A product from Spark Therapeutics called Luxturna, for a rare, inherited type of vision loss, recently became the first-ever approved gene therapy in the U.S., adding to two others … Continue reading “Nonprofit Odylia Wants to Resurrect Stranded Gene Therapies”