News Archive

Innovation is a principal driver of U.S. economic growth. In 2016, the U.S. spent an estimated $514 billion on research and development — more than any other country in the world — helping the nation rank No. 4 on the Global Innovation Index. According to the results of the ranking, knowledge and technology outputs are America’s particular strengths.

But certain states are due more credit than others for America’s dominance in the tech era. These states continue to foster innovation through investments in education, research and business creation, especially in highly specialized industries.

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:SUPN), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system diseases, today announced, following a four-day bench trial, that the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled that TWi Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its subsidiary infringed U.S. Patent Nos. 7,722,898, 7,910,131, and 8,821,930 by submitting to the FDA an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) seeking permission to market a generic version of Oxtellar XR® before the expiration of Supernus’ patents.  The District Court ruling also confirmed the validity of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,722,898, 7,910,131, and 8,821,930.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology on Wednesday published new guidance on how to strengthen passwords. Why now? Research shows that the de facto standard practice of requiring users to include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and at least one symbol, is more trouble than it’s worth.

“Analyses of breached password databases reveal that the benefit of such rules is not nearly as significant as initially thought,” NIST explained. “The impact on usability and memorability is severe.”

Maryland gained 800 jobs in July and unemployment fell for the third consecutive month.

The private sector added 11,500 positions while government positions decreased by 10,700, according to preliminary data released Friday by the U.S. Department of Labor. Maryland’s unemployment rate dropped to 4 percent in July from 4.1 percent.

Senseonics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SENS), a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of Eversense®, a long-term, implantable continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system for people with diabetes, today announced the pricing of its previously announced underwritten public offering. Senseonics is offering 11,637,500 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at a price to the public of $2.15 per share. In connection with the offering, Senseonics has also granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,745,625 shares of common stock offered in the public offering to cover over-allotments, if any. Senseonics intends to use the net proceeds from the offering primarily to begin commercialization of Eversense in the United States, if approved, to fund continued research and development of future configurations of Eversense, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The offering is expected to close on August 23, 2017, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions.

Venture capital spending continues to lag behind the record activity of recent years, but startups needn’t worry; industry analysts say there’s still billions in dealmaking still to be done.

Nationally, VC firms invested roughly $38 billion in startups and other early-stage companies during the first two quarters this year, down 10 percent from the $42 billion recorded during the same span in 2016 and off about $2 billion from 2015, according to data collected by Pitchbook and the National Venture Capital Association.

Imagine a workplace with no desk or office of your own, even if you are the company’s CEO.

Instead, you work in a neighborhood-style space, fitted for a time when workers — especially millennials — do not need to sit at the same cubicle for 40 hours a week.

The Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech) at the University of Maryland, College Park seeks an organized, energetic person to assist with operational functions and related activities for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program in the Honors College.

This nationally award-winning program helps to develop the entrepreneurial mindsets, skill sets, and resources for first and second-year students. The position-holder would provide coordination and support for: 1.) program operations and administration; 2.) courses and curriculum; 3.) student activities and engagement; 4.) marketing and recruiting; and 5.) development and grants.

This is an exciting opportunity for a self-starting, highly motivated, tech-savvy individual with experience in or desire to engage in an entrepreneurial and/or higher education environment. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree along with excellent skills in verbal, written and interpersonal communication, teamwork, multi-tasking, problem-solving, event management, and customer service.

This is a 6-month, hourly, contractual position, up to 40 hours per week, that would begin immediately. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to eip@umd.edu. For best consideration, please apply by August 28, 2017.

The Cybersecurity Association of Maryland has a pair of new board members.

Silent Circle CEO Gregg Smith and EZShield VP of Technology Darrell Laffoon were elected to the board of the organization, according to a statement. Elected to a second term was Karen Austin, publisher of United States Security Magazine.