San Antonio—In a state like Texas, where every major city has its own horde of tech startups, it can be hard to make your digital mark. That has been more true in San Antonio than anywhere else in the Lone Star State, as the city has been trying—and increasingly succeeding in its efforts—to show the … Continue reading “Register for “San Antonio Tech—Seizing the Momentum” on February 20”
Ginkgo Bioworks Pulls In $275M as Synthetic Biology Funding Soars
Companies sometimes raise big venture capital rounds to invest in equipment, people, and other tools for growth. Other times they do it to provide the business a cash cushion. And sometimes it’s about giving potential customers and partners more confidence in the fledgling company. For Ginkgo Bioworks, its latest venture funding round is about all … Continue reading “Ginkgo Bioworks Pulls In $275M as Synthetic Biology Funding Soars”
Relay Tx Raises $63M to Advance Protein Motion Drugs Into the Clinic
Proteins play important roles in cells, folding and changing their shape to perform various biological functions. While many of these shapes are important to healthy cell function, some shapes are linked to disease, says Sanjiv Patel, CEO of Relay Therapeutics. Relay has developed a way to see this protein motion, and use that moving image … Continue reading “Relay Tx Raises $63M to Advance Protein Motion Drugs Into the Clinic”
Kyn Nabs $49M to Target Metabolism and Beat Other Cancer Drug Combos
[Updated 12/14/2017, 9:23 am, see below.] Cancer immunotherapy drugs called checkpoint inhibitors, which unleash immune cells on tumors, have taken the oncology world by storm over the past few years. But they work for only a fraction of patients, and one possible reason is that tumors have many ways to hide from the attack. Kyn … Continue reading “Kyn Nabs $49M to Target Metabolism and Beat Other Cancer Drug Combos”
Andreessen Horowitz Floats Second Bio Fund with $450M
Andreessen Horowitz, the storied Silicon Valley venture capital firm best known for backing technology companies such as Facebook and Airbnb, is more than doubling the commitment it first made in 2015 to bring engineering to bear on the mysteries of biology and disease. Encouraged by results from the $200 million Bio Fund it created two … Continue reading “Andreessen Horowitz Floats Second Bio Fund with $450M”
Amid Global Race for A.I. Talent, China’s Tencent Sets Up Seattle Lab
They’re still putting the finishing touches on the sixth-floor offices in Bellevue, WA, where Chinese Internet giant Tencent hopes to employ as many as 20 artificial intelligence researchers by next year. Like technology companies the world over, Tencent is scrambling to recruit as many of the computer scientists and engineers with skills necessary to advance … Continue reading “Amid Global Race for A.I. Talent, China’s Tencent Sets Up Seattle Lab”
Robots in the Real World: News on Savioke, Marble, Knightscope, Fetch
Silicon Valley robotics companies have been moving their inventions into real-world use, and it seemed like a good time to check in with a sampling of them to see how things are going. The take-away: Shifting from the technology development phase into managing the human-robot interface in the real world can bring some interesting results—both … Continue reading “Robots in the Real World: News on Savioke, Marble, Knightscope, Fetch”
Gateses Pledge $15M for UW Computer Science Building Named for Them
First their friends named the new University of Washington computer science building in their honor. Now Bill and Melinda Gates have contributed $15 million to complete the fund-raising drive for the project, which marks a construction milestone on Wednesday. The building, which is expected to more than double the number of computer science majors the … Continue reading “Gateses Pledge $15M for UW Computer Science Building Named for Them”
Diabetes, Infectious Diseases Early Focus of San Antonio Biomed Plan
San Antonio — [Updated 12/14/17, 11:54 p.m. See below.] A study commissioned by a San Antonio bioscience advocacy group and local economic development officials is calling for the city to place additional focus on initiatives that recruit high-profile biotech executives to the Alamo City, bring in more young researchers, and further develop the healthcare IT industry. … Continue reading “Diabetes, Infectious Diseases Early Focus of San Antonio Biomed Plan”
Xconomy Presents: San Antonio Tech—Seizing the Momentum
Xconomy’s first public event in San Antonio will focus on the region’s top high-tech trends, players, and companies—and their plans for future growth and impact in areas from cloud computing to cybersecurity, healthtech, and beyond. Through interactive chats, panels, keynotes, and more, we plan to shine the spotlight on what makes San Antonio unique, with … Continue reading “Xconomy Presents: San Antonio Tech—Seizing the Momentum”
Newest Austin Startup Accelerator Sputnik Plans January First Class
Austin—[Corrected 9:56 a.m. See below.] There’s no shortage of startup accelerators in Austin, with stalwarts like Capital Factory, Techstars, and the Austin Technology Incubator often getting the most attention. To be fair, there’s no shortage of early stage startups, either, which may be part of the reason more accelerator programs have launched in the city … Continue reading “Newest Austin Startup Accelerator Sputnik Plans January First Class”
Gene Therapy Advances, But Hemophilia Is No Easy Target
Mark Skinner, the former longtime president of the World Federation of Hemophilia, has had the blood disease on his mind his entire life. He doesn’t have a choice. Skinner, 57, was born with a severe form of hemophilia A, meaning he has a tiny fraction of the necessary cellular machinery to clot blood. His disease … Continue reading “Gene Therapy Advances, But Hemophilia Is No Easy Target”
What’s Hot in Bay Area Biotech 2017: Photos and Takeaways
Healthcare is a technologically driven industry and some of those advances are apparent in the products now reaching consumers directly. From the convenience of home, consumers can order tests that allow them to gain insight about what their genes or their microbiomes can tell them about their health or the risk of developing a particular … Continue reading “What’s Hot in Bay Area Biotech 2017: Photos and Takeaways”
As Cryptocurrencies Grow, Mutual Coin Hedge Fund Guides Investors
Way back in 2012, we published a story about Usman Majeed, a young entrepreneur running an electronics reseller business called Tech Twurl out of his Michigan State University dorm room. He graduated with a computer science degree in 2015 and shut down Tech Twurl soon after, but the desire to run his own company remained. … Continue reading “As Cryptocurrencies Grow, Mutual Coin Hedge Fund Guides Investors”
3 Lessons From NuTonomy & Lyft’s Self-Driving Car Rides in Boston
One of the biggest potential pitfalls for developers of autonomous vehicles is psychological: Will most people trust the cars enough to ride in them? It might not be easy to win people over, but it’s possible—if a Boston startup’s recent tests are any indication. On Tuesday, NuTonomy co-founder and president Karl Iagnemma shared early reactions … Continue reading “3 Lessons From NuTonomy & Lyft’s Self-Driving Car Rides in Boston”
Aptiv Plans Driverless Car Tech Hub in Boston After Buying NuTonomy
[Updated 12/12/17, 5:51 pm. See below.] Global automotive technology supplier Aptiv is planting a bigger flag in Boston. On Tuesday, the England-based company announced plans to open a new technology office in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood. The space will also be the new headquarters of NuTonomy, the Boston-based autonomous vehicle software startup that Aptiv acquired this … Continue reading “Aptiv Plans Driverless Car Tech Hub in Boston After Buying NuTonomy”
GenXComm’s Spectrum Boosting Tech Lands $7M Led by Intel Capital
Austin—[Updated 2:13 p.m. See below.] Intel Capital is leading a $7 million Series A round of funding for Austin, TX-based GenXComm, a startup developing wireless technology that reduces interference in transmitters of 5G mobile, Wi-Fi, and cable networks data. By reducing that interference, GenXComm says more data can flow back and forth over the limited … Continue reading “GenXComm’s Spectrum Boosting Tech Lands $7M Led by Intel Capital”
EmOpti Aims to Help Patients in ER Get Seen by Doctors More Quickly
Ed Barthell doesn’t mince words when describing the poor experiences many patients have when they go to the emergency room. “Emergency medicine is still an industry that essentially delivers lousy service for really high cost,” says Barthell, a doctor who worked in the ER for more than two decades before leaving his clinical practice in … Continue reading “EmOpti Aims to Help Patients in ER Get Seen by Doctors More Quickly”
Pacira Pharmaceuticals Promotes Braunstein to COO, Scranton to CSO
Scott Braunstein, who has been senior vice president of strategy and corporate development for Pacira Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:PCRX]]) since 2015, is now the company’s chief operating officer. The new role adds oversight of the company’s commercial and medical affairs to Braunstein’s prior responsibilities. Parsippany, NJ-based Pacira also promoted Richard Scranton to chief scientific officer. Scranton … Continue reading “Pacira Pharmaceuticals Promotes Braunstein to COO, Scranton to CSO”
Vir Biotechnology Names Herbert Virgin Chief Scientific Officer
Herbert “Skip” Virgin is joining Vir Biotechnology to become executive vice president of research and chief scientific officer of the San Francisco-based drug developer. Virgin, who will start his new post on Jan. 1, comes to Vir from Washington University’s School of Medicine, where he has been a professor and chair of the department of … Continue reading “Vir Biotechnology Names Herbert Virgin Chief Scientific Officer”
ASH 2017 Highlights: CAR-T Competition, Myeloma, Hemophilia & More
[Updated, 12/13/17, 1:50 p.m. ET. See below.] The annual American Society of Hematology meeting is nearly over. For now, we’ve chosen updates from three disease areas to highlight, plus the more notable market movements. No surprise, there’s a lot about the genetically engineered cell therapy known as CAR-T. Gene therapy and more standard forms of … Continue reading “ASH 2017 Highlights: CAR-T Competition, Myeloma, Hemophilia & More”
Apple Confirms Acquisition of Early Music-Tech Startup Shazam
As a tech startup that uses an algorithm to help people find out what song is playing on the radio, Shazam is a business its co-founders say was ahead of its time in 2000—so much so that they developed the technology after they already started raising money and finding office space. It was even ahead … Continue reading “Apple Confirms Acquisition of Early Music-Tech Startup Shazam”
After Raising $27M, Ouster to Plans Mass Manufacture of LiDAR Units
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is one of the most important technologies underpinning the development of driverless cars. LiDAR systems feed raw sensor data to the car’s brain, creating a 3D picture of the surrounding environment and enabling autonomous vehicles to navigate it. But LiDAR has also been controversial because it’s expensive, sometimes fallible, and … Continue reading “After Raising $27M, Ouster to Plans Mass Manufacture of LiDAR Units”
Lilly Nixes Expansion of Stomach Cancer Drug After Mixed Study Results
Eli Lilly is dropping plans to seek expanded FDA approval for ramucirumab (Cyramza) in stomach cancer after the drug missed a key goal in a late-stage study. The Lilly (NYSE: [[ticker:LLY]]) drug is already approved, in combination with the drug paclitaxel, as a second-line treatment for patients whose stomach cancer has progressed despite chemotherapy. The … Continue reading “Lilly Nixes Expansion of Stomach Cancer Drug After Mixed Study Results”
What’s Hot in Cybersecurity, 2017: Photos and Takeaways
Our annual cybersecurity conference at WGBH in Boston was a big hit last week. In times like these, security is on everyone’s mind—and it has become a critical issue in business and society. A few takeaways from the event (but you really had to be there): 1. Expect a lot more phishing-type attacks after the Equifax … Continue reading “What’s Hot in Cybersecurity, 2017: Photos and Takeaways”
Once Shunned, Regulated Industries Now a Lure for Some Investors
When Alex Niehenke started his business career at an investment bank in 2005 as an advisor to Internet companies, there was one strongly held consensus among investors. “You just didn’t touch regulated industries,” says Niehenke, who was recently promoted to partner at Silicon Valley venture capital firm Scale Venture Partners. Investors didn’t want the risks … Continue reading “Once Shunned, Regulated Industries Now a Lure for Some Investors”
What Are the Nation’s Top Cities and Regions for Driverless Tech?
Whether you think self-driving cars are the stuff of science fiction or a potentially paradigm-shifting new form of transportation, autonomous vehicles are coming—and the companies developing them are spending big money to make it happen. A few years ago, industry analysts seemed to think Silicon Valley would win the race to get self-driving cars on … Continue reading “What Are the Nation’s Top Cities and Regions for Driverless Tech?”
U-M’s MADE Program Aims to Train Entrepreneurs in Developing Nations
This week, the University of Michigan’s Zell Lurie Institute announced a new program called Michigan Academy for the Development of Entrepreneurs (MADE), which aims to help business owners in developing nations to grow and thrive. The program, which has been established in partnership with the William Davidson Institute and Aparajitha Foundations, will work with local … Continue reading “U-M’s MADE Program Aims to Train Entrepreneurs in Developing Nations”
Promega, Cellectar, Blockchain, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist
Keep up with the latest news from Wisconsin’s innovation community with these recent headlines: —The Scientist magazine named Fitchburg-based Promega’s “High BiT” protein-tagging system as one of its top 10 innovations of 2017. The product emits a bright light, allowing researchers to “quantify the abundance of a protein of interest, whether it be in the … Continue reading “Promega, Cellectar, Blockchain, & More: This Week’s WI Watchlist”
Northwest Startup Supporters Grow U.S.-Canada Economic Ties
There’s a new network organizing the incubators, accelerators, and investors fostering innovation in the Pacific Northwest on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. Business collaboration across the 49th parallel is having a moment, thanks in no small part to a dramatic divergence in immigration policies between the two countries this year that have prompted U.S. … Continue reading “Northwest Startup Supporters Grow U.S.-Canada Economic Ties”
In Biggest Biotech IPO of 2017, Denali Raises $248M for Neuro Drugs
Denali Therapeutics has raised more than $248 million in its stock market debut, marking the largest biotech IPO of the year. The company will use the cash to support work on its experimental drugs for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. South San Francisco, CA-based Denali priced its offering of 13.8 million shares at $18 … Continue reading “In Biggest Biotech IPO of 2017, Denali Raises $248M for Neuro Drugs”
OrbiMed Founder Isaly Steps Down After Sexual Harassment Report
Sam Isaly, managing partner of OrbiMed Advisors, is stepping down from the company. OrbiMed, a leading healthcare investment firm founded by Isaly, made the announcement Thursday, two days after Stat published a report of sexual harassment allegations from former OrbiMed employees against Isaly. According to OrbiMed’s statement, Isaly will be replaced by a committee of … Continue reading “OrbiMed Founder Isaly Steps Down After Sexual Harassment Report”
Bio Roundup: Trials to Watch, Mega Deals, Video Game Therapy & More
With 2018 around the corner, this was a week to look ahead. At Xconomy, we zeroed in on several clinical trials that could become major stories in the life sciences. Other healthcare milestones are on the way, too. The FDA will consider for the first time whether a video game should be approved as medicine. … Continue reading “Bio Roundup: Trials to Watch, Mega Deals, Video Game Therapy & More”
Gilead Bets on Cell Therapy Again with $567M Cell Design Labs Deal
Gilead Sciences is deepening its capabilities in cell therapy with a deal valued at up to $567 million to acquire Cell Design Labs, a company that discovers and develops such treatments. The announcement late Thursday comes a little more than four months after Foster City, CA-based Gilead (NASDAQ: [[ticker:GILD]]) jumped into cell therapy in a … Continue reading “Gilead Bets on Cell Therapy Again with $567M Cell Design Labs Deal”
StemBioSys Continues Expanding Distribution, Adding Western Europe
San Antonio — StemBioSys, a life sciences company with a system for growing stem cells, has made a deal to have its products distributed in the United Kingdom and Western Europe. The deal is with Caltag Medsystems, a life science distributor that already sells similar products in those markets, according to StemBioSys CEO Bob Hutchens. The … Continue reading “StemBioSys Continues Expanding Distribution, Adding Western Europe”
Clora Reaps $3.3M to Speed Consultant Hunts by Life Sciences Companies
Rahul Chaturvedi worked for 16 years as a life sciences company executive, but he was also an avid consumer tech fan who chafed at the clunky enterprise apps used in his industry. Spoiled by speedy, user-friendly consumer apps, he also wondered why finding a biotech consultant to hire was so much harder than, say, lining … Continue reading “Clora Reaps $3.3M to Speed Consultant Hunts by Life Sciences Companies”
Sage Shares Soar Again As Depression Drug Hits Mark in Phase 2 Test
Sage Therapeutics disclosed another clinical trial victory this morning, sending shares of the Cambridge, MA, company to new highs. An experimental Sage drug for major depressive disorder (MDD), a psychiatric disease that affects millions of Americans, has succeeded in a Phase 2 study and will now head into late-stage testing. Sage (NASDAQ: [[ticker:SAGE]]) said that … Continue reading “Sage Shares Soar Again As Depression Drug Hits Mark in Phase 2 Test”
Last Chance to Have Your Voice Heard on NY Biotech’s Course in 2018
Want to take part in an interactive, constructive talk about what can be done, right now, to alter the course of the life sciences scene in New York? You’ve still got a shot. Next Monday evening, Dec. 11, at the Alexandria Center for Life Science, Xconomy is gathering a small group of New York biotech … Continue reading “Last Chance to Have Your Voice Heard on NY Biotech’s Course in 2018”
The ‘Amazon Effect’ and the Gender Wage Gap
The battle to land Amazon’s second home is shaping up to be one of the fiercest competitions to lure a corporate headquarters in modern history. From serious incentives like massive tax breaks to headline grabbing stunts like offers of bear wrestling and giant cacti, it’s safe to say cities are pulling out every stop imaginable … Continue reading “The ‘Amazon Effect’ and the Gender Wage Gap”
Metacrine Raises $22M to Advance New Drugs for Chronic Liver Disease
Metacrine, a biotech developing new drugs for treating chronic liver diseases and related metabolic diseases and disorders, said today it has raised $22 million in a Series B financing led by New Enterprise Associates, a new investor. Proceeds will be used to advance Metacrine’s lead drug candidate, MET409, into first-in-human studies during the first half … Continue reading “Metacrine Raises $22M to Advance New Drugs for Chronic Liver Disease”
Boston Tech Watch: Apple, Lyft, BU, Astral Capital, Cengage & More
It’s time to catch up on the latest Boston-area tech headlines: —People can now ride around Boston’s Seaport neighborhood in a self-driving vehicle, thanks to a pilot program launched this week by ride-hailing company Lyft and NuTonomy, the autonomous vehicle software startup now owned by Aptiv. (Aptiv is the name of the autonomous vehicle business … Continue reading “Boston Tech Watch: Apple, Lyft, BU, Astral Capital, Cengage & More”
Report: Sexual Harassment Claims Hit OrbiMed Founder Sam Isaly
Healthcare investment giant OrbiMed Advisors has been described as a workplace enveloped in a toxic culture of sexual harassment, according to an investigation by Stat released late Tuesday. OrbiMed managing partner and co-founder Samuel Isaly is the main perpetrator of frequent and targeted harassment, according to allegations leveled in Stat’s interviews with five former employees, … Continue reading “Report: Sexual Harassment Claims Hit OrbiMed Founder Sam Isaly”
Arrowhead Pharma Reveals Data It Hopes Will Aid New Hepatitis B Drug
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: [[ticker:ARWR]]) suffered a major setback last year after it canceled the development of three experimental drug candidates for liver disease. On Wednesday, Pasadena, CA-based Arrowhead—which houses its research and development operations in Madison, WI—shared data from a study involving one of the canceled drug candidates that the company believes could bode well … Continue reading “Arrowhead Pharma Reveals Data It Hopes Will Aid New Hepatitis B Drug”
Lexumo, an Internet of Things Security Startup, Calls It Quits
[Updated 12/8/17, 4:27 pm. See below.] Boston-area cybersecurity startup Lexumo has shut down, a source close to the company confirmed to Xconomy. After publication, CEO Dan McCall confirmed the news in an e-mail to Xconomy that said Lexumo ceased operations in September. [This paragraph added.—Eds.] Lexumo spun out of Draper Laboratory—the not-for-profit R&D center next … Continue reading “Lexumo, an Internet of Things Security Startup, Calls It Quits”
Mitsubishi Tanabe’s Ian Mills Becomes CMO of Outpost Medicine
Outpost Medicine has named Ian Mills chief medical officer. Mills comes to Indianapolis-based Outpost from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Europe, where he was head of clinical development. Before Mitsubishi, Mill spent 15 years at Pfizer (NYSE: [[ticker:PFE]]) in various roles. Outpost’s lead drug candidate, OP-687, is a treatment for overactive bladder and irritable bowel syndrome. Mills … Continue reading “Mitsubishi Tanabe’s Ian Mills Becomes CMO of Outpost Medicine”
David Spellmeyer Joins Circle Pharma as Chief Scientific Officer
Circle Pharma of South San Francisco, CA, has named David Spellmeyer chief scientific officer. Spellmeyer’s experience includes executive posts at Bay Area biotechs Nodality and Signature BioScience, as well as research work at IBM (NYSE: [[ticker:IBM]]). Circle is developing macrocyclic peptides, drugs that the company says could hit molecular targets that had previously been considered … Continue reading “David Spellmeyer Joins Circle Pharma as Chief Scientific Officer”
Ionic Unveils New App-Making Tools, Continues Push to Make Money
Ionic has introduced a new set of tools for developing mobile software applications, as the Madison, WI-based startup continues its effort to create revenue streams off of its sizeable user base. The new suite of development tools, known as Ionic Pro, is aimed at helping developers build, test, and distribute apps faster and more easily … Continue reading “Ionic Unveils New App-Making Tools, Continues Push to Make Money”
Propose With a Lab-Made Diamond? Diamond Tech Retailers Say, “Yes”
How do you disrupt an industry that markets itself as the embodiment of “forever?” You bring it back to basics, says Lindsay Reinsmith, co-founder of Ada Diamonds, an online retailer of jewelry with lab-made gemstones in San Francisco. “Science is on our side,” she says. “We confront them with facts.” Machine-made gemstones are created in exactly … Continue reading “Propose With a Lab-Made Diamond? Diamond Tech Retailers Say, “Yes””
Last Chance to Save on San Diego Life Sciences 2022
There’s just one week left before Xconomy’s latest biotech event, “San Diego Life Sciences 2022.” Don’t let the clock run out while you can still save some cash on a ticket. Next Monday, December 11, we’re taking an inside look at what the San Diego life sciences landscape will look like in the year 2022. … Continue reading “Last Chance to Save on San Diego Life Sciences 2022”
15 For ’18: Key Clinical Data to Watch For Next Year (Part 2)
[Corrected, 12/11/17, 1 p.m. ET. See below.] On Monday we posted the first part of our look at what should be some of 2018’s most important clinical data, including trials for lung cancer, heart disease, melanoma, Alzheimer’s disease, rare blood disorders, and more. With part two, we’re previewing studies for migraine, brain cancer, lymphoma, peanut … Continue reading “15 For ’18: Key Clinical Data to Watch For Next Year (Part 2)”