News Archive

Contract research organizations make good money providing critical services to young biotech and drug development companies early on. But often, those companies are cash-strapped at the stage when they need a CRO. That’s why some CROs are becoming stakeholders in the companies they work with, offering cash or services for equity in life science startups.

“We fundamentally believe that we should be aligned with our clients,” said David Gee, strategic business development at Cato BioVentures, the venture capital affiliate of a CRO called Cato Research. “I think it’s reasonable, particularly with early-stage companies, that we have some skin in the game. (Then) we have reason to come to a positive endpoint and to get there as quickly and efficiently as possible, because that’s how part of our value is going to be generated.”

The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) announced today that 12 startup companies have advanced to the final round of the InvestMaryland Challenge, the State’s national business competition. The finalists are competing for $100,000 top prizes in four categories — Information Technology, Life Sciences, General Industry, and, new this year, Cybersecurity. All companies who entered the Challenge are eligible for more than $300,000 in other prizes, including grants, software and lab and incubator space. The winners will be announced in May.

“Congratulations to the finalists and all the companies that advanced in the InvestMaryland Challenge. To stand out from the field of 260 applicants is an achievement in itself and a testament to the strength of the companies competing for the top prizes,” said Dominick Murray, DBED Secretary. “For two years in a row, Maryland has been named the #1 state in the country for innovation and entrepreneurship and companies like those competing in this Challenge are the reason why. They are the future leaders of Maryland’s Innovation Economy and we are proud to support them as they grow and create jobs.”

For startup CEOs, there’s probably nothing more nerve wracking than giving a presentation to prospective investors. Dr. Lisa Beth Ferstenberg knows about that first-hand.

A serial biotech entrepreneur, Ferstenberg was founding CEO of Cellective Therapeutics, a Gaithersburg biotech that raised $28 million in Series A funding. MedImmune bought the company in 2005 for as much as $160 million. She is currently chief medical officer for Sequella Inc., a Rockville biotech that develops drugs to fight tuberculosis.

Europe has shown the world over the past half century how countries with centuries of conflict can finally cast aside their differences and work together. The European Union has created a single currency, a common patent office, a single public funding source for basic research, and a single legislative body for issues reaching across the continent.

But if there’s one area where the countries of Europe continue to compete vigorously—other than in soccer and other sports—it’s in their efforts to attract and build up communities or “clusters” of biotechs, pharmaceutical employers, universities, and independent research institutions.

Seth Goldman and Barry Nalebuff founded Honest Tea in 1998. In the recently released Mission in a Bottle, the co-founders tell — in comic book form — the story of building a successful mission-driven business. Goldman, now president and “TeaEO” of Honest Tea, joins Motley Fool CEO Tom Gardner to discuss sustainability, entrepreneurship, and what it means for a socially responsible, health-oriented business to be bought by Coca-Cola  (NYSE: KO  )  .

In addition to his work with Honest Tea, Goldman co-founded Bethesda Green to help green businesses get off the ground, and has been involved with healthy food companies Beyond Meat and Happy Baby. 

“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” Peter Drucker

In a period of massive change, franchises die and are born, previously unimagined models emerge, and incumbents that are too focused on “protecting share” find themselves closing their doors. The healthcare industry represents nearly a fifth of U.S. GDP and it is going through such a period of dramatic change as we speak.  The product companies that dominate the marketplace today find themselves cash rich but growth poor.  At the same time an army of inventors and visionaries in biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, health care services, healthcare IT, and consumer health fields are eager to provide a new model for the future.

Ambient Clinical Analytics is a new startup, founded by Mayo Clinic researchers with help from Silicon Valley investors, that aims to bring data assimilation, communication and analytics to the bedside.

Backed by Rock Health and the Social+Capital Partnership, the venture develops decision support tools for intensive care units, operating rooms and emergency departments. Its technologies, which were developed at the Mayo Clinic, enable real-time access to process-of-care information and analytics.

As a direct result of Montgomery County’s ongoing partnership with Chungbuk Province, which includes a Chungbuk Exchange Official who has worked at DED since February 2013, three Korean companies have launched U.S. operations at the County’s Germantown Innovation Center (GIC).

Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (EDT)

Learn from leading investors on syndication:

• Richard Anders, Mass Medical Angels
• Barbara Fox, Avaxia Biologics
• Henry Kay, Launchpad Venture Group
• Reid Leonard, Merck Research Ventures
• Mike McGrail, Cooley LP
• Moderator: Stephen Flaim

Connect with 23 NHLBI companies seeking early-stage investors and partners

• Discover innovative technologies close to commercialization
• Attend a reception to partner and network

Registration is free, but space is limited. Sign up now to save a spot!

More information and agenda to follow.

The Hive is an immersive and informal social environment, dedicated to exploring and showcasing transformative startups and the inspiring entrepreneurs that power the ideas shaping the future of health and medicine.

Our second location will allow us to host The Hive on both coasts – increasing the number of game-changing startups who will join us this coming September 10-12 in either Washington, DC or San Francisco, CA. To help support a growing community of Hive entrepreneurs, we’re re-opening the Hive Application process for two short weeks and applications will be accepted today until April 1.