Cyber threats to industrial connected devices and critical infrastructure are growing, and more money is flowing into companies trying to thwart those attacks. The latest deal is an $18 million investment in CyberX, a Boston-area startup whose software helps secure Internet-connected devices and networks in factories, oil rigs, electrical grids, pharmaceutical labs, and other industrial … Continue reading “After Triton Attack, CyberX Nabs $18M to Defend Industrial Networks”
Xconomy’s EXOME Presents: What’s Hot in Boston Biotech 2018
In many ways, 2017 marked a turning point for biomedical innovation. The FDA approved the first U.S. gene therapy, the first CAR-T cellular immunotherapy, the first cancer drug based on a genetic signature, and the first smartphone app to treat substance abuse. Add to that the first successful Phase 3 trial for an RNA interference … Continue reading “Xconomy’s EXOME Presents: What’s Hot in Boston Biotech 2018”
Quentis Nets $48M For Cancer Drugs, Building Buzz For NY Bio Startups
After a string of announcements a few years back, there’s been few new, high-profile biotech startups taking shape in New York. But that quiet period might be coming to an end this morning with the arrival of Quentis Therapeutics, a cancer immunotherapy startup born from the lab of former Weill Cornell Medicine dean and immunologist … Continue reading “Quentis Nets $48M For Cancer Drugs, Building Buzz For NY Bio Startups”
Moltin Gets $8M Round Led By Underscore, Names Ex-Demandware Exec CEO
As shopping experiences continue to take new forms—think social media, smart televisions, virtual assistants, and video games—the complexity of building and managing multi-faceted e-commerce systems is growing. That creates opportunities for companies like Moltin, a startup that develops cloud-based software tools that power the back-end infrastructure of e-commerce applications. Its application programming interfaces (APIs) and … Continue reading “Moltin Gets $8M Round Led By Underscore, Names Ex-Demandware Exec CEO”
Fresh Off $25M Raise, Generation Adds $100M For Next-Gen Gene Therapy
Today marks another noteworthy moment in the continued advancement of gene therapy, which now has multiple products on the market after decades of research. Generation Bio, one of the startups trying to leapfrog existing versions of the technology, has now raised $125 million in two separate rounds in less than two months. Cambridge, MA-based Generation … Continue reading “Fresh Off $25M Raise, Generation Adds $100M For Next-Gen Gene Therapy”
Synthetic Bio Startup Senti Raises $53M to Program Cells to Treat Disease
Getting software to perform a new task is a matter of rewriting its code. This approach can also apply to biology, according to Tim Lu, CEO of Senti Biosciences. Tweaking a cell’s genetic code can give it therapeutic capabilities that adjust to the severity of a disease and also limit the treatment’s side effects. “This … Continue reading “Synthetic Bio Startup Senti Raises $53M to Program Cells to Treat Disease”
Roundup, Part One: NextEnergy, Application Deadlines, U-M News, More
Even though we’re hardly two months into the year, 2018 has already been packed with local innovation news. In fact, we have so much material that we’re splitting this roundup into two parts; the second part will run later this week. Here’s a look at some of the recent tech news unfolding across Michigan: — … Continue reading “Roundup, Part One: NextEnergy, Application Deadlines, U-M News, More”
Houston Tech’s Relief Efforts For Harvey Morph Into Ongoing Support
Houston—Six months ago, Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, flooding much of the city and forcing the sudden evacuation of tens of thousands from their homes. To help with recovery and relief, the city’s tech community came together to create websites and apps to help rescue people and connect them to relief efforts. Tech groups also set … Continue reading “Houston Tech’s Relief Efforts For Harvey Morph Into Ongoing Support”
Ten Fast Facts About Dropbox as It Seeks an Initial Public Offering
Dropbox is finally ready to enter the public market. The San Francisco-based file sharing and cloud storage company plans to raise up to $500 million in an initial public offering, according to paperwork filed with the SEC last week, after years of speculation that it might do so. Founded by two MIT students in 2007, … Continue reading “Ten Fast Facts About Dropbox as It Seeks an Initial Public Offering”
Vertex Pharma CMO Chodakewitz Retires, Kewalramani Named Successor
Jeffrey Chodakewitz, chief medical officer of Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VRTX]]), is retiring. The Boston company said he will continue in an advisory role through early next year. Chodakewitz joined Vertex in 2014 as senior vice president. Reshma Kewalramani will step up as Chodakewitz’s successor effective April 1. Kewalramani joined Vertex in 2017 as senior vice … Continue reading “Vertex Pharma CMO Chodakewitz Retires, Kewalramani Named Successor”
Circle Buys Coinbase Rival Poloniex to Expand Cryptocurrency Services
[Updated 2/26/18, 11:28 a.m. See below.] Circle said it has acquired cryptocurrency exchange operator Poloniex, as the Boston-based startup gets more aggressive in its bid to become one of the key providers of enabling technologies for virtual currencies. The deal, announced Monday, was for approximately $400 million, according to Fortune, which cited an anonymous source. … Continue reading “Circle Buys Coinbase Rival Poloniex to Expand Cryptocurrency Services”
Exact Sciences: Severe Flu Season Slows Down Cancer Test’s Sales
Exact Sciences says two staples of winter—cold weather and flu season—have led patients and doctors to cancel more medical appointments than usual in recent months. As a result, the growth of Cologuard, Exact’s stool-based DNA test for colorectal cancer screening, has slowed, the Madison, WI-based company said. Exact (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]), which is developing screening tests … Continue reading “Exact Sciences: Severe Flu Season Slows Down Cancer Test’s Sales”
Eli Lilly’s Colleen Mockbee Joins Partner Tx as Chief Development Officer
Partner Therapeutics has appointed Colleen Mockbee to serve as chief development officer. Mockbee comes to Boston-based Partner from Eli Lilly (NYSE: [[ticker:LLY]]), where she spent 20 years working in various drug development positions. Partner emerged from stealth in early February with $60 million in funding and an immune system-boosting drug it acquired from Sanofi (NYSE: … Continue reading “Eli Lilly’s Colleen Mockbee Joins Partner Tx as Chief Development Officer”
Bolstra Raises $1.5M to Grow SaaS Customer Management Platform
Carmel, IN-based Bolstra, a startup focused on customer success management software, has raised $1.5 million in seed funding. Contributors to the round include Elevate Ventures, 4G Ventures, Allos Ventures, Collina Ventures, and VisionTech Angels. Bolstra CEO Haresh Gangwani says his company differs from competitors in its dedication to customer engagement. Because customer success management, which … Continue reading “Bolstra Raises $1.5M to Grow SaaS Customer Management Platform”
TX Tech: Luxe Co-Working, Mass Challenge, RVshare, Hypergiant & More
As you get ready for the weekend, let’s take a moment to run down the latest innovation news from Xconomy Texas. —Since we spend so much of our time working, Work Well Win believes we might as well do it in a healthier fashion. The self-described “wellness” co-working space is based in Greenwich, CT, and … Continue reading “TX Tech: Luxe Co-Working, Mass Challenge, RVshare, Hypergiant & More”
Bio Roundup: Meldonium Slip, Kratom Crackdown, Zinc Fingers & More
The 2018 Winter Olympics will end soon, and we did not skate through these games without a performance-enhancing drug allegation rearing its ugly head. This time, the drug in question was meldonium (Mildronate), a product widely available over the counter in Russia and some Eastern European countries. Though Latvian pharmaceutical company Grindeks markets meldonium for … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Meldonium Slip, Kratom Crackdown, Zinc Fingers & More”
Smart Cities Initiative Spurs “Gigabit Apps” for Next-Gen Internet
In late 2015, the National Science Foundation awarded a $6 million grant to the non-profit organization U.S. Ignite to help drive the development of next-generation “gigabit applications,” as part of a broader effort to create “smart gigabit communities” throughout the U.S. The idea was to both help cities improve local services and spur the development … Continue reading “Smart Cities Initiative Spurs “Gigabit Apps” for Next-Gen Internet”
Exact Sciences Shares Fall, Despite Better-Than-Expected P&L Results
Exact Sciences reported quarterly profit-and-loss results Thursday that beat many analysts’ estimates. However, investors did not on the whole appear to be impressed, sending the company’s stock price more than 6 percent lower in after-hours trading. Madison, WI-based Exact (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]), is developing screening tests for a variety of cancers. Its flagship product is Cologuard, … Continue reading “Exact Sciences Shares Fall, Despite Better-Than-Expected P&L Results”
Evestra Snags DoD Grant For Experimental Breast Cancer Drug Research
San Antonio—A small Texas biotech that develops women’s health products, including a generic birth control ring, has received a $960,000 grant from the Department of Defense to continue early stage work on experimental treatments for triple-negative breast cancer. Evestra, which is located just outside of San Antonio, in Schertz, TX, plans to use the three-year … Continue reading “Evestra Snags DoD Grant For Experimental Breast Cancer Drug Research”
Forget Perfume Counters: Phlur’s A.I. Is E-Commerce’s Scent Sherpa
Austin—It stands to reason that if any industry could resist the tidal wave of e-commerce, it would be the fragrance business. After all, how can you smell a perfume or cologne online to decide if you like the scent? But Eric Korman, founder and CEO of Phlur, says the startup can make it easier for … Continue reading “Forget Perfume Counters: Phlur’s A.I. Is E-Commerce’s Scent Sherpa”
Exact Targets Large Hospital Systems to Boost Sales of Cancer Test
Exact Sciences is setting its sights on large hospital systems across the country as part of an effort to get more doctors to order Cologuard, Exact’s stool-based DNA test for colorectal cancer screening, for their patients. Madison, WI-based Exact (NASDAQ: [[ticker:EXAS]]) launched Cologuard in 2014 and as of last month, nearly 102,000 clinicians in the … Continue reading “Exact Targets Large Hospital Systems to Boost Sales of Cancer Test”
Continuing Cell Therapy Push, Gilead Aligns with Sangamo for CAR-T Boost
Gilead Sciences has formed a broad alliance with Sangamo Therapeutics this morning, continuing an aggressive push into cellular immunotherapy that began late last year. Gilead (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]) will pay Sangamo (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SGMO]]) $150 million up front in cash in the deal, through which Gilead will tap Sangamo’s gene editing techniques to try to develop a … Continue reading “Continuing Cell Therapy Push, Gilead Aligns with Sangamo for CAR-T Boost”
Will Fast-Growing Kallyope Stay in New York After New $66M Round?
Kallyope is unusual among biotech startups. Exclusively borne from the work of three Columbia University professors, the company started up in Manhattan, now has more than 40 employees, has gotten $110 million in venture dollars from high-profile investors, and still remains in New York City. Now the big question is: Will Kallyope stay in Manhattan … Continue reading “Will Fast-Growing Kallyope Stay in New York After New $66M Round?”
Chasing A.I. Breakthroughs: Q&A With Director of New MIT-IBM Lab
For all the progress that has been made in developing artificial intelligence technologies in recent years, the software “brains” that power machines are still nowhere near the sophistication of human minds. And advancing the field will require bold, new ideas, says A.I. researcher David Cox. Cox (pictured) has spent the past 11 years at Harvard … Continue reading “Chasing A.I. Breakthroughs: Q&A With Director of New MIT-IBM Lab”
Dohmen Company to Sell Life Science Services Subsidiary
Dohmen Company, a Milwaukee-based conglomerate of healthcare businesses, said earlier this week that it had sold its subsidiary Dohmen Life Sciences Services, or DLSS. The buyers are New York-based private equity firm JLL Partners and Water Street Healthcare Partners, a Chicago-based healthcare investor. Dohmen did not disclose specific financial terms in its announcement of the … Continue reading “Dohmen Company to Sell Life Science Services Subsidiary”
Pfizer’s John Davis Named Magenta Therapeutics Chief Medical Officer
Magenta Therapeutics has recruited Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]) executive John Davis to serve as the startup’s new chief medical officer. Before coming to Cambridge, MA-based Magenta, Davis was Pfizer’s senior vice president and head of early clinical development. His experience also includes positions at Baxalta and Genentech. Magenta is developing treatments for bone marrow transplant patients … Continue reading “Pfizer’s John Davis Named Magenta Therapeutics Chief Medical Officer”
ImmunoMet Therapeutics Appoints Vincent O’Neill Chief Medical Officer
Vincent O’Neill has been named chief medical officer of cancer drug developer ImmunoMet Therapeutics. O’Neill, a medical oncologist, most recently worked at Mirna Therapeutics where he was chief medical officer. His experience also includes positions at Genentech, Roche, GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: [[ticker:GSK]]), Sanofi (NYSE: [[ticker:SNY]]), and Exosome Diagnostics. In a separate executive move, ImmunoMet appointed Allan … Continue reading “ImmunoMet Therapeutics Appoints Vincent O’Neill Chief Medical Officer”
With Brandery Tie-Up, Gener8tor Continues Expansion Across Heartland
Gener8tor plans to hold its first entrepreneurial training programs in Ohio later this year, marking the latest step in the Wisconsin-based organization’s regional expansion. Launched in 2012, Gener8tor helps startup companies with things like pitching their products, adding users and customers, and raising money from investors. Gener8tor itself invests in and takes equity stakes in … Continue reading “With Brandery Tie-Up, Gener8tor Continues Expansion Across Heartland”
Bosch’s Acquisition of SPLT is Big Win for Detroit Mobility Startups
SPLT, the Detroit-based ridesharing startup and Techstars Mobility alum, announced today that it has been acquired by automotive supplier Bosch, which has its U.S. headquarters in metro Detroit. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Anya Babbitt, SPLT co-founder and CEO, describes the acquisition as “a most fortunate outcome.” SPLT was established in 2014 … Continue reading “Bosch’s Acquisition of SPLT is Big Win for Detroit Mobility Startups”
Zagster Gets $15M to Keep Pace in Crowded Bike-Sharing Sector
Zagster has scooped up $15 million from investors to help it ramp up its new “dockless” bike-sharing service—and compete with more heavily funded rivals. The investment, led by earlier backer Edison Partners, brings Zagster’s total venture capital haul to $32.2 million, the company said in a press release. Cambridge, MA-based Zagster’s other investors include LaunchCapital, … Continue reading “Zagster Gets $15M to Keep Pace in Crowded Bike-Sharing Sector”
Google and Stackdriver Vets Get $10M for Software Testing Tool, Mabl
When we last caught up with Dan Belcher and Izzy Azeri, they were selling their cloud-management company, Stackdriver, to Google. That Boston startup was on a fast track to acquisition, getting scooped up in 2014 after just two years and about $15 million in venture capital raised. (The purchase price wasn’t disclosed.) Now, Belcher and … Continue reading “Google and Stackdriver Vets Get $10M for Software Testing Tool, Mabl”
Boston Tech Watch: Nuance, Harvard, MIT, Jobcase, Panjiva & More
It’s time to catch up on some of the latest headlines in the Boston-area tech scene: —Nuance Communications is planning to phase out the Swype mobile keyboard apps for iOS and Android smartphones, according to a post from Xda Developers, which said it got confirmation from Burlington, MA-based Nuance (NASDAQ: [[ticker:NUAN]]). Nuance bought Swype in … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Nuance, Harvard, MIT, Jobcase, Panjiva & More”
For Latest Combo, Merck Bets $394M on Viralytics, Cancer-Fighting Viruses
The immuno-oncology combination frenzy continues. Merck this morning agreed to pay $394 million for Viralytics, an Australian developer of oncolytic viruses, which could help boost the power of the pharma giant’s cancer immunotherapy pembrolizumab (Keytruda). The deal gives Kenilworth, NJ-based Merck (NYSE: [[ticker:MRK]]) rights to CVA21 (Cavatak), an experimental oncolytic virus therapy in multiple early- … Continue reading “For Latest Combo, Merck Bets $394M on Viralytics, Cancer-Fighting Viruses”
Vectra Scores $36M for AI-Enhanced Cyberattack Detection
Vectra, one of the cybersecurity companies vying to beef up threat detection using artificial intelligence, announced Wednesday it raised $36 million in a Series D funding round led by new investor Atlantic Bridge. San Jose, CA-based Vectra scans the patterns of data flowing through a client’s network in a continuous, automated hunt for suspicious activity, … Continue reading “Vectra Scores $36M for AI-Enhanced Cyberattack Detection”
Shine, BrightStar, Understory & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Catch up on the latest news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —Shine Medical Technologies completed construction on an 11,400-square-foot prototype production facility, where it will train workers and test its particle accelerator-based technology for producing a radioisotope used in diagnostic medical imaging procedures. The company said that this summer, the facility “will … Continue reading “Shine, BrightStar, Understory & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
XRC Labs Chief Anthos: Retailers Must Adopt “Test and Learn” Culture
As college undergraduates, my roommate and I had what we called a “monowardrobe.” That’s how we described the contents of the closet that lined a wall in our dorm room. We each organized our own clothing on either side, but since we both wore the same size in clothing and shoes, we “shopped” for outfits … Continue reading “XRC Labs Chief Anthos: Retailers Must Adopt “Test and Learn” Culture”
Aimmune’s Peanut Allergy Drug Hits Study Goals, FDA Filing Planned
Peanuts rank among the top foods that spark allergic reactions, prompting schools to ban peanut butter sandwiches and travelers to decline airline snacks. Aimmune Therapeutics aims to help with a drug that makes people less sensitive to peanuts. On Tuesday, Aimmune (NASDAQ: [[ticker:AIMT]]) announced that its drug met the main goals of a late-stage study, … Continue reading “Aimmune’s Peanut Allergy Drug Hits Study Goals, FDA Filing Planned”
Father-Daughter Startup Seeva Turns Old IP into New Driverless Tech
[Correction, 2/23/18: See below.] The mobility sector has spawned plenty of unlikely alliances that have led to new products and business models for self-driving vehicles. But it’s hard to get more unlikely than Seeva, a Pacific Northwest mobility startup with Detroit roots, run by a vivacious daughter and her retired father, and based on technology … Continue reading “Father-Daughter Startup Seeva Turns Old IP into New Driverless Tech”
Wave, Takeda Target RNA Technology at Neuro Diseases With $230M Pact
Wave Life Sciences this morning inked a wide-ranging alliance with Japanese pharma Takeda to develop RNA-based drugs for a variety of neurological diseases. Wave (NASDAQ: [[ticker:WVE]]), of Cambridge, MA, gets $110 million in up front cash from Takeda. The Japanese giant will also buy $60 million in Wave stock at $54.70 a share and fund … Continue reading “Wave, Takeda Target RNA Technology at Neuro Diseases With $230M Pact”
With $69M Deal, AbbVie Turns to Voyager for an Alzheimer’s Gene Therapy
At a time when uncertainty again swirls around the development of Alzheimer’s disease drugs, research continues in new ways. Through an alliance this morning, Voyager Therapeutics will team with AbbVie to try to use gene therapy tools to help attack the disease with a potential one-time, long-lasting treatment. Voyager (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VYGR]]) gets $69 million in … Continue reading “With $69M Deal, AbbVie Turns to Voyager for an Alzheimer’s Gene Therapy”
CED Life Science Conference
This year, CED’s annual Life Science Conference will take place in conjunction with the 2018 Coulter Investment Forum. Some of the Coulter companies will be showcased along with those presenting for the CED conference.
Life Sciences Forum
The February Life Sciences Forum will focus on biomanufacturing in North Carolina. Panelists from several companies will discuss their expansion plans and their views on the future of biomanufacturing in the state.
AgBiotech Summit
The 2018 AgBiotech Summit will focus on soil health. Speakers include Nicholas Groeser, director of The Soil Health Partnership; and Wayne Honeycutt, president and CEO of the Soil Health Institute.
LGC Acquires Lucigen, Marking Latest Exit for CEO Ralph Kauten
Chalk up another exit for Ralph Kauten. Kauten, one of Wisconsin’s more successful biotech entrepreneurs, is chairman and CEO of Lucigen, a Middleton, WI-based vendor of life sciences research tools that on Friday said it has been acquired by LGC. LGC, which is based in the U.K. and says it has 2,300 employees, provides testing … Continue reading “LGC Acquires Lucigen, Marking Latest Exit for CEO Ralph Kauten”
Google Buys Xively From LogMeIn, Folds In Nest to Advance in IoT
Google is ramping up its efforts in connected devices for homes and businesses as competition with Amazon, Apple, and other big tech companies heats up. Despite its prowess in machine learning and other A.I. technologies, Google may have some catching up to do in the so-called Internet of Things (IoT) sector. That’s the burgeoning market … Continue reading “Google Buys Xively From LogMeIn, Folds In Nest to Advance in IoT”
Surface Oncology Promotes Goater to CEO, Lynch Remains Chairman
Jeff Goater, chief business officer of Surface Oncology, has been appointed CEO of the company. Goater replaces interim CEO Dan Lynch, who will remain executive chairman of the Cambridge, MA, company’s board of directors. Goater joined Surface a year ago after serving as CFO of Voyager Therapeutics (NASDAQ: [[ticker:VYGR]]) in Cambridge. Surface, which is developing … Continue reading “Surface Oncology Promotes Goater to CEO, Lynch Remains Chairman”
Chrono CEO Alan Levy Retires, David Happel Named New Chief Executive
Alan Levy, CEO and chairman of Chrono Therapeutics, is retiring. The Hayward, CA, company said Levy will remain on the board of directors. David Happel has been appointed CEO, and current board member James Young will take on the role of board chairman. Happel comes to Chrono from Horizon Pharma (NASDAQ: [[ticker:HZNP]]), where he was … Continue reading “Chrono CEO Alan Levy Retires, David Happel Named New Chief Executive”
Arrowhead Plans Return to Clinic With New Study of Hep B Drug
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is back in the clinic. On Thursday, Pasadena, CA-based Arrowhead—which houses its research and development operations in Madison, WI—said regulators cleared the company to initiate a clinical study of a drug it’s developing to treat chronic hepatitis B virus. Arrowhead (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARWR]]) said it expects to enroll about 60 patients in the Phase … Continue reading “Arrowhead Plans Return to Clinic With New Study of Hep B Drug”
TX Tech: Funds for True Wealth & Phunware, Rackspace Layoffs, & More
Happy Friday! Before we get started on the weekend, let’s catch up with the latest innovation news in Texas. —A group of companies that use blockchain technology are forming an organization to advocate for issues related to the technology. Called the Austin Blockchain Collective, the group wants to “advance blockchain-based education to the local community … Continue reading “TX Tech: Funds for True Wealth & Phunware, Rackspace Layoffs, & More”
Bio Roundup: Trump’s Budget, Biogen’s AD Reveal, Hugin’s Run & More
Another week of White House chaos and American gun violence. Amid it all, we tried to parse what the Trump administration’s 2019 budget proposal meant for the biomedical and life-science worlds. There was talk of tackling high drug prices in the budget document, but nothing to give Medicare direct negotiating power with drug companies or … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Trump’s Budget, Biogen’s AD Reveal, Hugin’s Run & More”