Jeff Clemetson
Reporter
Recent Stories
High-Profile Panel Explores Metaverse’s Real Estate Potential
EVENTS: Discussion Focuses on Opportunities in Virtual World
The metaverse is coming and those who understand it and are prepared for it will reap its rewards. That was the theme of a June 21 panel discussion at The Burnham-Moores Center titled “The Metaverse, How it Impacts Real Estate … and You.”
Resilience Grabs $1.25B in Funding
PHARMA: Series C, D to Expand Infrastructure
National Resilience, Inc. (Resilience) is on a mission to reinvent biomanufacturing – a well-funded mission.
GigTown Books a Post-Pandemic Reboot
ENTERTAINMENT: New Owners Look to Grow After Surviving Live Music Shutdown
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, the live music industry was one of the first to shutter. Not the most ideal time to take over a web-platform company that connects musicians to fans and venues, but ....
Scripps Professor Wins Royal Society of Chemistry Award
EDUCATION: K. Barry Sharpless Also a Former Nobel Recipient
Scripps Research chemist K. Barry Sharpless has added another prestigious award to his long list of career accomplishments.
Labor Shortage, Innovation Drive Growth at Brain Corp
ROBOTICS: AI Software Firm Sees 100% Growth in Europe
For most companies, the global pandemic followed by a labor shortage is a serious concern. For San Diego-based Brain Corp it has been a boon.
Procopio’s LaunchPad Relaunch Prepped for Liftoff
STARTUPS: Incubator Offers Early-Stage Companies Legal, Business Services
After a two-year pandemic hiatus, Procopio is relaunching its LaunchPad incubator program to help early-stage companies achieve liftoff.
Epic Advances Liquid Biopsy
BIOTECH: $43M Series F to Fund Growth
San Diego diagnostics company Epic Sciences, Inc. is in an epic position to grow its multi-omic platform and expand operations.
XCOM Powers Wireless VR at AWE USA
TECHNOLOGY: Partnership with The VOID Displayed Potential of Metaverse
The Void experience at AWE showcased XCOM Labs’ multi-user wireless VR system that delivers cinematic-quality virtual reality with near-zero latency.
CLS Launches SoCal-Focused FAST
STARTUPS: Program Serves Earliest-Stage Biotech Companies
Biotech startups in Southern California will soon have the opportunity to speed up their path to commercialization.
Lawyers Weigh In on Work-From-Home, Hybrid Employment Issues
LEGAL: Changes in Workplace Agreements Prompt New Challenges for Employers
Hybrid work, telework, flex work – all these terms have become commonplace since the COVID-19 virus made trips into the office unsafe during the height of the pandemic. And now, even with vaccines readily available and life returning to some semblance of “normal,” many employers are still offering employees work from home options.
Borrego Sells Solar Projects for $567M
ENERGY: Company Retains EPC and O&M Businesses
Borrego, one of San Diego’s earliest pioneers in the solar industry, is getting out of the development business. Last month, the company announced it was selling off the development side of its business to Energy Capital Partners.
CB Therapeutics Patents 'Magic' Mushroom Process
PHARMA: Company Makes Psychedelics Sustainable, Scalable
CB Therapeutics is bringing a bit of scientific “magic” of its own to the growing field of “magic” mushroom and other natural psychedelic compounds research.
USD Program Preps Product Managers
EDUCATION: Offers Path to High-Paying Career with Growing Need
Even as reports that the red-hot job market is showing signs of cooling down and hiring slows, there are still some job titles with growing demand that are going unfilled at companies throughout San Diego. One such title is product manager.
North San Diego Business Chamber Welcomes New Board Members
COMMERCE: Hrountas Continues Second Term as Board Chair
Starting in July, the North San Diego Business Chamber (NSDBC) Board of Directors will include seven new members.
Scripps Offers Open-Source RNA Drug Development App
BIOTECH: Software Speeds up Process for Future Vaccines
Scripps Research is helping fellow scientists everywhere speed up the process of studying RNA for drug development. Last month, Scripps announced it had created an app named “Pytheas” for studying RNA molecules and that it would be offered to the scientific and academic communities for free as an open-source software tool.
Airspace Fueled for Global Expansion
LOGISTICS: $70M Round Grows AI
Carlsbad-based logistics tech company Airspace is fueled up and ready for takeoff. On May 25, the company announced it had landed a $70 million funding round to expand its global operations and sustainability goals.
Bristol Myers Squibb Buys Turning Point
BIOTECH: $4.1B Deal Expands ‘Oncology Franchise’
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is further strengthening its ties to San Diego. On June 3, the New York-based global biopharmaceutical company announced it had acquired Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage precision oncology company based in San Diego.
Pleno ‘Hypercoding’ Poised to Disrupt Clinical Testing
BIOTECH: Company Raises $15M Pre-Series A
Multi-omic instrument platform company Pleno, Inc. is poised to disrupt clinical testing.
Opening Up Opportunities in Social Media Businesses
EMPLOYMENT: Incubator Addresses Unique Job Needs of Military Spouses
Even amidst a tight labor market with excessive job openings, there are some demographics that have not recovered from the pandemic. “There is a 30% unemployment rate right now for military spouses,” said Victoria Carlborg of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce.
Software Platform Cooks Up Recipe for Success
FOODTECH: Galley Solutions Raises $14.2M in Series A
Carlsbad-based foodtech platform firm Galley Solutions has growth on the menu, thanks to a Series A feeding the company $14.2 million.
Sharp Launches Funding Campaign at Groundbreaking
HEALTHCARE: Expansion at Serra Mesa Hospital Part of ‘ENVISION’
Sharp HealthCare is already bringing its “ENVISION” to life. On May 26, the Foundations of Sharp HealthCare broke ground on Sharp Memorial Hospital’s emergency and trauma center expansion – and used the occasion to announce a $250 million fundraising campaign to advance improvements at Sharp’s corporate headquarters, regional medical centers and specialty hospitals.
Chapin Returns to The Op with New Directions
ENTERTAINMENT: Board Game Manufacturer Expands Into Digital, Television
Dane Chapin describes himself as a lifelong “serial entrepreneur.” So it came as no surprise when he stepped away from Usaopoly (The Op), a successful board game company he founded with his sisters in 1994, to pursue other business opportunities.
Tycoon Goes ‘Beyond Zero’
ESG: ‘Conscious Capitalism’ Inspires CEO
The life story of carpet tycoon Ray Anderson is still inspiring change, even after his passing in 2011. On May 25, Conscious Capitalism San Diego (CCSD), along with partners The San Diego Business Journal and Better Business Bureau, sponsored the California premiere of the documentary film “Beyond Zero.”
Bioscience Finance Officers to Convene in San Diego
EVENT: National Conference Held Amidst Industry’s Changing Economy
After two years of pandemic delays, the Association of Bioscience Financial Officers (ABFO) will finally hold its national conference in San Diego next week (June 5-8).
Qualcomm, Partners Eye Improving Road Safety
AUTOMOTIVE: Deployment of 5G C-V2X Inevitable Says Panel
Imagine driving in your car where you are suddenly alerted to a school bus ahead with its stop arm out and children unloading; or on a foggy day when digital road signs are obscured, your radio quickly cuts out to broadcast an Amber alert message. C-V2X (cellular vehicle-to-everything) technology is already here, is tested and is ready to deploy.
Travere’s Sparsentan Gets Priority Review
PHARMA: Treating Rare Kidney Disease
Travere Therapeutics, Inc. is on track to bring another rare disease therapy to market, possibly by the end of the year.
Sharp Launches Funding Campaign at Groundbreaking
HEALTHCARE: Expansion at Serra Mesa Hospital Part of ‘ENVISION’
Sharp HealthCare is already bringing its “ENVISION” to life. On Thursday, May 26, the Foundations of Sharp HealthCare used the groundbreaking on Sharp Memorial Hospital’s emergency and trauma center expansion to announce a $250 million fundraising campaign to advance improvements at several facilities.
rBIO Succeeds in Biomanufacturing Insulin
PHARMA: Partnership with Washington University Adds Key Process
For many Type-1 diabetes patients and the health plans that cover them, the cost of insulin is a burdensome problem. And amidst a global supply chain crisis, access to insulin has only compounded the issue.
Union Bank Hosts Discussion on Improving Access to Capital
FINANCE: Acquisition by U.S. Bank May Bolster Community Programs
A recent panel discussion hosted by Union Bank at the Hotel Del Coronado explored the causes of and solutions to inequities in banking for marginalized communities.
Pilot Program Reduces Bill for Highest-Cost Patients
HEALTHCARE: Presidium Health Teams with CHG for Concierge Care
To improve outcomes for the most challenged residents in our communities, San Diego-based Presidium Health is taking on the 1%.
Radicle Science Retools Clinical Trials for Wellness Products
HEALTHTECH: Company Founded to Address Cannabis Efficacy Testing
Wellness products like CBD oil or valerian root are used by millions of people for various health benefits, but official proof of their effectiveness has long been a frustration of producers and consumers alike. San Diego startup Radicle Science has come up with a solution.
ADF Tops $1B in Loans
FINTECH: Serving the ‘Underestimated’
This month, Applied Data Finance, LLC (ADF) announced a milestone – more than $1 billion in loans originated or facilitated by its AI-powered analytics platform.
BARDA Taps Jumpcode for Pathogen Detection Program
BIOTECH: Platform Isolates Pathogens in Sequencing Workflows
Detecting and responding to unknown pathogens will be key in stopping the next pandemic.
Report Spotlights Impact of Blue Economy
BLUETECH: Despite COVID, Sector Saw 163% Job Growth
Even amongst strong and diverse sectors like biotech, pharma and tourism, San Diego’s blue economy is a pillar of prosperity in the region, and one that is growing quickly.
Friendly Hills Bank Expands Executive Team
On May 17, Friendly Hills Bank (FHB) announced it is bolstering its executive suite with a spate of new hires.
Aspen Neuroscience Raises $147.5M in Series B Round
BIOTECH: Starting Clinical Trial for Parkinson’s Stem Cell Therapy
San Diego-based Aspen Neuroscience, Inc. announced a Series B financing round of $147.5 million on May 9 to further advance its treatment of Parkinson’s disease using autologous stem cell therapies.
Qualcomm Unveils Advanced Robotics
TECH: Platforms Debut at 5G Summit
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. unveiled its latest and most advanced developments in 5G and AI-enabled robotics on May 10 and the company’s annual 5G Summit.
Illumina, Deerfield Ink Drug Development Deal
PHARMA: Partnership to Take Genomics Approach to Discovery
Illumina, Inc. is expanding its reach into drug discovery and development. On May 5, the San Diego DNA sequencing giant announced a partnership with New York-based healthcare investment management firm Deerfield Management to apply a genetic-led approach to develop novel therapies for diseases with unmet medical needs.
Celebrating Innovation at Five.Ten.Thirty
The inaugural Five.Ten.Thirty drew about 3,400 to Petco Park on April 28. The daylong event organized by Connect San Diego featured booths from around 100 startups across a variety of innovation industries. There were also over 180 venture capital groups and around 140 angel investors in attendance.
Easie Launches AI-Powered Invoice Solution
SOFTWARE: Consulting Company Expanding Tech Platform
Business consulting firm Easie is breaking into the software space. On April 26, the company announced the launch of Easie Invoice AI - the first AI product offered from Easie’s Document AI software suite.
SDNEDC Event Spotlights Amazon
RETAIL: Growing County Footprint
The San Diego North Economic Development Council (SDNEDC) hosted a “Lunch and Learn” event at the Green Dragon Tavern & Museum in Carlsbad late last month (April 27) featuring speaker Stephen Maduli-Williams, manager of economic development policy for Amazon.
Lineage Unveils Cell Programs
BIOTECH: Inks $670M Deal to Bolster Pipeline
Lineage Cell Therapeutics is rapidly expanding its cell therapy pipeline. In late March, the company announced a new investigational product candidate – an auditory neuronal cell transplant for the treatment of hearing loss, with an initial focus on the treatment of auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders.
FTN Network Going Big in Sports Betting Space
WEBSITES: Company Gains Spot in Top Sports Accelerator
In the wide, wide world of sports betting and fantasy sports, good data is key. That is the premise behind FTN Network, a multi-site platform featuring content and data for sports betting and fantasy sports aficionados.
South 8 Raises $12M For Liquified Gas Battery Tech
MANUFACTURING: Innovation Improves Safety, Power of Li-ion Batteries
San Diego-based lithium battery innovator South 8 Technologies is charging up. On April 26, the company announced it had closed a $12 million Series A funding round it will use to accelerate the commercialization of its patented Liquefied Gas Electrolyte (LiGas) technology.
Global Algae Innovations Hits ‘Milestones’
SUSTAINIBILITY: SD Company Wins $1M XPRIZE for Carbon Removal
Climate change is a large problem requiring large solutions. To address it, X Prize Foundation founder Peter Diamandis and Tesla founder Elon Musk created the largest incentive prize in history – the $100 million XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition for companies working on carbon removal technologies at scale.
SimplicityDX Launches to Solve Social Commerce
SOFTWARE: Issues with Ads on Social Media a $700B Problem
When clicking ads on social media sites turns into a bad experience for shoppers, it can have a detrimental effect on the entire e-commerce industry.
Aptera Acquires Andromeda
EVs: Deal Boosts Supply Chain
In what amounts to part acquisition, part homecoming, Aptera Motors announced April 20 it had purchased Andromeda Interfaces, Inc. in an all-equity deal. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Global Student Entrepreneurs Awarded by EO San Diego
NONPROFITS: Winner of Pitch Competition is USD Student from Africa
Lucien Eloundou put the “global” in this year’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards – a competition for students who own and operate a business while attending college put on by the San Diego chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO).
Adamis Looks Ahead with New Products
PHARMA: Company Bounces Back from Epinephrine Recall
Late last month (March 31), San Diego-based Adamis Pharmaceuticals and partner US WorldMeds launched of ZIMHI – a 5ml naloxone injectable used in the emergency treatment of opioid overdose.
Halozyme Buys Antares for $960M
BIOTECH: Deal Boosts Growth, Revenue
In a deal showcasing Halozyme Therapeutics as an ongoing leader in drug delivery, the San Diego-based biotech announced earlier this month (April 13) it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire New Jersey-based Antares Pharma for $5.60 a share.
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