Science and Enterprise

Tag: entrepreneurs

  • Biomedical Accelerator Accepts 12 New Research Projects (Updated)

    20 August 2015, Updated 21 August 2015 (see below). The Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator at Harvard University is adding 12 new campus research projects to transform their findings into marketable products and services. The accelerator aims to bridge the gap between academic labs and venture financing, often called the Valley of Death because of the lack…

  • Inside Air Monitor Devised as Smartphone Add-On

    13 August 2015. Engineers in Finland designed a miniaturized system for measuring levels of carbon dioxide and other gases with smartphones to monitor interior air quality for health care needs. The team at VTT Technical Research Centre, an applied research institute in Finland, developed the monitor as an add-on to mobile devices, with a spin-off…

  • Blood Disease Biotech Gains $120 Million in IPO

    12 August 2015. Global Blood Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing treatments for blood-related disorders, is raising $120 million in its initial public stock offering. The company, in South San Francisco, California and trading on the Nasdaq exchange under the symbol GBT, issued 6 million shares priced at $20.00. Shares closed today trading at $43.50, more…

  • Computer Model Predicts Protein Binding to DNA, RNA

    28 July 2015. Geneticists and computer scientists wrote a machine-learning model for predicting the way proteins bind to genetic material, and uncovering mutations causing disease. The team led by Brendan Frey with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research in Toronto published its findings yesterday in the journal Nature Biotechnology (paid subscription required). Frey and other…

  • Magnetic Nanoparticles Found to Boost Immunotherapy

    15 July 2015. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University designed a process for making immunotherapy more practical as a cancer treatment by collecting cancer-fighting T-cells faster and easier with magnetic synthetic antigen nanoparticles. The team from the lab of Jonathan Schneck, professor of pathology at Johns Hopkins University medical center in Baltimore, published results of lab…

  • Univ. Research Execs See Science Economic Benefits

    15 July 2015. Senior research executives at 10 U.S. universities described the benefits of scientific research to their campuses, communities, and nation at a roundtable discussion today in Washington, D.C. The forum, organized by the Science Coalition and Association of American Universities, also described perils of uneven federal research funding as well as related dangers…

  • Process Adds Antimicrobial Silver Particles to Plants

    14 July 2015. Engineers at North Carolina State University developed a process that adds biodegradable nanoparticles infused with silver to plant fibers that can kill a broad range of bacteria. A team from the lab of chemical engineering professor Orlin Velev, with colleagues from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and institutions in the U.K. and…

  • Spinal Stimulation Start-Up Wins $200K State Award

    13 July 2015. PathMaker Neurosystems Inc., a developer of non-invasive devices that stimulate the spinal cord to relieve muscle weakness and paralysis, received a $200,000 award from a Massachusetts science funding agency. The grant was made by Massachusetts Life Sciences Center as part of its life sciences milestone achievement program. PathMaker’s technology uses electronic current…

  • Univ. of Arizona Spin-Off Licenses Cancer Therapy

    10 July 2015. A new company spun-off from University of Arizona licensed a cancer therapy based on research by a pharmacy faculty member at the school, also the company’s founder. Synactix Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Tucson is founded by pharmacology professor Hong-yu Li and postdoctoral fellow Brendan Fett. Li’s lab at Arizona studies cancer therapeutics, particularly…

  • Oxford, Ludwig Institute Launch Immunotherapy Start-Up

    9 July 2015. University of Oxford in the U.K. and Ludwig Cancer Research Institute are forming a spin-off enterprise to commercialize research by an Oxford immunology professor for cancer therapies. Financial details of the partnership to create iOx Therapeutics were not disclosed. The new company is commercializing research from the lab of Oxford immunologist Vincenzo…