Current Issue:
January 2012
Feature Articles
The A-List: The Trend-Shaping Series A Financings Of 2011 / The capital drought that hit life science companies the past three years worked its way upstream in 2011, as several venture firms said they wouldn’t either continue in the life sciences or raise new funds. But our annual tally of life science Series A rounds presents a surprising twist: Series A rounds are up, not in blockbuster numbers by any stretch, but the downward trend of the recession years has finally been reversed. / START-UP January 2012
Alternative Financing Strategies For Medtech Start-Ups / Pools of venture capital for life science companies are drying up. The good news is that there are alternative sources for young medtech companies. / START-UP January 2012
Valuation Watch
Cancer Deals Dominate 2011 Start-Up Partnerships. / Among the partnership trends of the year, three stood out: oncology compounds, a search for more certain exits and the role reversal of Big Pharma as out-licensers. / START-UP January 2012
Venture Round
Cowen Doubles Down On Royalties / Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners and its peers are flush with cash and feeling a little adventurous. It might be good news for biotechs and their investors. / START-UP January 2012
In Warp Drive Deal, VCs Have A Potential Buyer – And Can Force A Sale / Third Rock launches a computation-heavy discovery firm aimed at natural products, with commitments worth up to $125 million in equity and other funding. / START-UP January 2012
Capital Matters
A-List Investor Spotlight / Investors like Imperial Innovations and Jumpstart are stepping up to fill the gap in Series A investing. / START-UP January 2012
Science Matters
The Power Of TAL: Genome Editing Techniques’ Coming Of Age /
In January, two groups of researchers published the structures of a new class of endonucleases – small strips of nucleic acids that can target DNA and alter genes, both for research uses and as potential therapies. Just days earlier, the journal Nature Methods designated genomic editing with endonucleases its Method of the Year for 2011. / START-UP January 2012
Grouped Start-Ups
Artificial Retinal Devices Help The Blind To See / Worldwide rates of all diseases that cause blindness are expected to double by 2020 due to the aging population, making this an area ripe for medical device innovation. A multibillion-dollar market has been built around the surgical correction of "front of the eye" age-related vision disorders such as presbyopia, but the technological evolution in ophthalmology has now reached the back of the eye. / START-UP January 2012
2C Tech Corp. Inc. / 2C Tech Corp. is developing a non-surgical, nanotechnology-based artificial retinal prostheses designed to overcome the limitations of current, implanted silicon chips and to operate at the cellular level over the entire retina to preserve sight. The start-up’s injectable SeeQ device converts ambient light to electrical energy. / START-UP January 2012
LambdaVision Inc. / Artificial retinal prostheses are poised to make a dramatic impact by restoring at least partial vision to people blinded by degenerative ophthalmic diseases. A number of companies are developing complex implantable microelectronic innovations, many with external hardware components, to stimulate the retina and overcome the photoreceptor cell deterioration that is the hallmark of these diseases. / START-UP January 2012
Nano Retina Inc. / Israel’s Nano Retina Inc. is developing an artificial retina that it hopes will provide a superior solution for restoring sight to patients with late-stage AMD and other degenerative ophthalmic diseases, who currently have no curative options. Its permanently implantable device is powered by an eye-safe laser that can be imbedded or attached to eyeglasses. / START-UP January 2012
Start-Ups Across Health Care
Adenovir Pharma AB / Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is a viral eye infection caused by a number of different adenoviruses. The highly contagious disease causes inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva, leading to irritation, itching, discharge and pain in the eye, swelling of the eyelids, photophobia, and blurred vision. / START-UP January 2012
Akrivis Technologies LLC / Akrivis Technologies has built its business around an immunoassay detection platform that has the potential to deliver much higher sensitivity than traditional techniques. The company is positioning its Z-TECT technology for use in research, diagnostics development, medical imaging and, potentially, drug delivery. / START-UP January 2012
Emboline Inc. / While the focus of aortic embolic protection has previously been limited to stroke prevention, Emboline Inc. believes the concern should be broader because there are other complications that can be caused by emboli moving downstream, resulting in diminished function or failure of other organs, such as the kidneys. The company’s Emboline CAP device provides complete protection of the arterial system from these emboli, thanks to a central filter enabled by an access port that allows for tool access through the filter. / START-UP January 2012
Phagenesis Ltd. / Many patients lose their ability to swallow normally following a stroke. Using alternative feeding routes and hoping that the swallowing function returns spontaneously are standard of care, which fails to address the root cause of the problem. / START-UP January 2012
Emergings in Brief
Emergings In Brief / Brief profiles of these recently formed companies: Blend Therapeutics, Clearside Biomedical, Perosphere and Rivanna Medical. / START-UP January 2012
On The Move
On The Move: Who’s Going Where In Biopharma And Medtech Start-Ups / Recent executive-level hires and director appointments at venture capital firms and biopharma and medtech start-ups. / START-UP January 2012
Recent Financings Of Private Companies
Recent Financings of Private Companies (01/2012) / Start-Up's monthly comprehensive review of emerging life science companies that have received venture funding during the month, including companies within the in vitro diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, research/analytical equipment & supplies, and medical device sectors. / START-UP January 2012
Tech Transfer Deals
Recent Tech Transfer Deals (01/2012) / Our monthly update on technology transfer deals--licensing agreements between companies and universities or other research institutions--in the fields of life sciences, including in vitro diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, research/analytical equipment & supplies, and medical devices. / START-UP January 2012
Publishers Spotlight
9th Annual Pharmaceutical Strategic Outlook (PSO) Conference, April 11-13, 2012 /
Join us at PSO 2012 where we will delve into the top issues affecting the pharma industry. Experience a dynamic three days of networking and discussion - with a personal and interactive setting, in-depth on-stage interviews, thought-provoking panels, one-on-one partnering meetings and innovative company presentations by carefully selected biotech companies. / START-UP January 2012
IN3 Medical Device 360° 2012 – Orlando / Publisher’s Spotlight: Register today for The Investment in Innovation (IN³) Medical Device 360° Conference, being held February 29-March 2, 2012, at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and take your company to the next level. / START-UP January 2012
Other
19th Annual Euro-Biotech Partnering Summit / Publisher’s Spotlight: Join us in Paris, France from May 30-June 1, 2012 for the 19th Annual Euro-Biotech Partnering Summit. This year’s theme is Changing the Business Model: Drawing on Global Examples of Innovation to Find New Products and Maximize Efficiency. / START-UP January 2012