IU invests $500,000 in Richard DiMarchi’s latest biotech startup
The new venture, called MBX Biosciences Inc., aims to develop therapeutics to treat rare endocrine disorders. The company has already raised $2.5 million in funding.
Bioscience
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Life science companies can learn from failure if they stay flexible, experts say
Endocyte Inc.'s decision two years ago to shelve its own pipeline and look for other opportunities was a difficult call that eventually paid off for investors, its former CEO said Friday at IBJ’s Life Sciences Power Breakfast.
Brazilian ag-tech firm picks Indiana for U.S. HQ, plans 334 jobs
Solinftec said Thursday it would invest $50.6 million to establish operations in the Hoosier state. The company makes technology that helps farmers collect and analyze data to increase crop returns.
Endocyte’s $2.1B deal with Novartis comes after years of setbacks
The West Lafayette biotech firm’s stock traded as low as $1.41 last fall, following multiple setbacks and restructurings. But the stock had soared to $24 Thursday morning after news that it would be acquired by Novartis.
BioCrossroads forms $9M seed fund for life science startups
The Indiana Seed Fund III is an early-stage fund focused on developing startups in life sciences, health IT and agricultural biosciences.
Trump health secretary: Drugmakers must help cut prices, or else
Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services and a former executive of Eli Lilly and Co., said Monday that the Trump administration plans to turn up the heat on uncooperative pharma firms.
16 Tech district could help slow Indiana’s brain drain, panel says
The work-play-live district for innovation and entrepreneurship being developed on the near-northwest side will include research labs, apartments and bicycle trails—which could help to attract young workers.
Indiana life sciences firms raise record $111M in venture capital in 2017
A $44 million VC infusion in 2017 for biosciences firm On Target Laboratories was one indication that Indiana’s life sciences sector is finally starting to pull down some serious venture funding.
Biotech firm plans expansion in Franklin, 23 new jobs
Its $1.5 million investment is expected to help B2S Life Sciences more than double its staff and grow its client base, which includes contract research groups, pharmaceutical firms and biotech startups.
Assembly Biosciences’ market value surges to nearly $1B, despite red ink
The 5-year-old Carmel biotech has won plenty of attention from Wall Street and has secured more than $100 million through licensing deals and a stock offering to help fund expensive clinical trials.
Lilly Endowment gives AgriNovus $4.2M to aid public awareness campaign
AgriNovus Indiana wants to get the word out on the state’s agbiosciences efforts and the opportunities they offer across several agricultural and technological sectors.
Former AIT Labs owner faces $4.4M suit over HQ building
The once-booming toxicology business struggled for years under declining revenue and huge debts before being acquired last year by a Texas private equity firm. Its Park Fletcher headquarters building remains empty.
Biosciences institute CEO steps down; chief scientist promoted to top spot
David Broecker was founding CEO of the four-year-old Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, which aims to bridge the gap between research universities and industry in life sciences.
Carmel biotech firm lands $8M in venture capital, grant funds
Founded in 2006, Fast BioMedical Inc. plans to use the money to help advance clinical trials and hire additional workers. It develops technologies to measure blood volume and kidney function.
Life sciences firms see some fundraising success but need massive sums
Around Indiana, life sciences companies are searching high and low for venture capital to fund promising but expensive new products, which can take a decade or longer to develop.
FOCUS: Biosciences institute’s chief scientific officer aims to foster commercialization
Rainer Fischer’s goal is to spur collaboration in research and commercialization of life sciences products.
Purdue-based firm could change radiation treatments
Purdue University Professor You-Yeon Won’s development, called radio-luminescent nanoparticles, is designed to enhance the cancer-cell-killing effects of radiation treatment.
Holcomb calls to use $500M fund from Toll Road lease to fund entrepreneurship
Gov.-elect Eric Holcomb, who announced his legislative agenda Thursday, has roughly the same idea as Gov. Mike Pence when it comes to investing in early-stage Indiana companies, but wants to pay for the plan through a different fund.
Indy-based NICO works for acceptance of less invasive brain surgery tools
Currently, only about 2-4 percent of U.S. brain surgeries for tumors, strokes and other abnormalities are done with NICO’s low-invasive approach.
New firm focuses on innovations, including ‘ear in a dish’
In a Q&A, Monon Bioventures CEO Joe Trebley talks about the goals and ambitions of his one-year-old firm.