The Life Sciences in New York State

Emisphere Phase II in Diabetes

Tarrytown, we have a problem...

Question I have is, given this result, does EMIS still warrant a ~$200 million market cap?

Emisphere Hit on Study

The Tarrytown, N.Y., company said the study showed its oral insulin "had no statistical difference in hypoglycemic episodes, serious adverse events, or insulin antibodies vs. placebo."

Nice way to make a living

Essentially force a company to take on debt, then force the company to pay you from the proceeds. Slick.

Gluttons At The Gate

"It feels a lot like 1999 in venture capital," says Steven N. Kaplan, finance professor at the University of Chicago. Indeed, it shares elements of both the late-1990s VC craze, in which too much money flooded into investment managers' hands, as well as the 1980s buyout binge, in which swaggering dealmakers hunted bigger and bigger prey. But the fast money--and the increasingly creative ways of getting it--set this era apart. "The deal environment is as frothy as I've ever seen it," says Michael Madden, managing partner of private equity firm BlackEagle Partners Inc. "There are still opportunities to make good returns, but you have to have a special angle to achieve them."

Tarrytown-Based Regeneron Signs Mega-Deal

Bayer HealthCare and Regeneron to Collaborate on VEGF Trap for the Treatment of Eye Diseases

Under the agreement, Bayer and Regeneron will collaborate on the development of the VEGF Trap-Eye through an integrated global plan that encompasses the neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), diabetic eye diseases, and other eye diseases and disorders. The companies will jointly commercialize the VEGF Trap-Eye outside the U.S and will share equally in profits from ex-U.S. sales. Within the U.S., Regeneron has exclusive commercialization rights in all indications and will retain 100% of all profits from any such sales.

Comments on Twilight in the Desert

I rarely post book reviews on my blog, but I have to make an exception for Twilight in the Desert.

Let me cut to the chase and say that this book is simply outstanding. Why?

1. Rarely does one see a topic so thoroughly researched by someone who is already an expert in the field. Simmons had already spent the bulk of his career in the energy business. He decided to conduct extensive, quality research to shape his hypotheses and conclusions. Any student of research methods would benefit from understanding how this book was crafted.

 

2. Having such a data-driven body of knowledge means that the discussions surrounding peak oil, environmentalism, conservation, and geopolitics (perhaps the term should be geopetroleopolitics?) can be based on some semblance of fact, not rhetoric. Saudi oil fields are declining. This is a fact. We don not have good data to project when these declines will become irreversible. This is also a fact. How we react to these facts as individuals, as a nation, and as a planet, is vitally important. Simmons has crafted the foundations upon which these discussions can be conducted.

 

I do have some minor quibbles about the book. The index could be a bit better. Some of the technical terminology could have been defined in the text a bit better with footnotes. Some terms are used early, but not defined until much later. Again, I think these are minor points.

I highly recommend this book.

Long Island-based AGI Dermatics raises Series A

AGI Dermatics Raises $5.5 Million in Series A Financing

AGI Dermatics, a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on skin cancer prevention drugs and anti-aging topical skincare products, today announced it has raised $5.5 million in a Series A private equity round.

Nature digs Upstate NY

Nature

For scientists who cherish nature, crave a slightly slower pace, and have no fear of snow, upstate New York may be a good option. Prospective researchers just need to get past the weather stigma, Holm says. "Once we break down the stereotype, point out the great work that has been and can be done here, and the affordable housing and great schools," he says, "the barriers just melt away."

Venture Capital program in NYC on Nov 4

On November 4th, a day-long session in New York City will be presented, entitled "Gap Analysis and Red-Teaming: How To Improve Your Chances of Getting Funded."

The program will have six speakers and focus on how to improve the chances of getting a venture funded.  Participants will get acquainted with two powerful tools that can significantly improve their chances of successfully getting funded. Gap Analysis will help identify the shortcomings of your vision, business plan and presentation. Red Teaming will show you how to subject your vision, business plan and presentation to a high-value review and come away with a clear idea of the improvements you need to make before your actually get in front of a venture capitalist.

I happen to know the two Principals involved in putting this together, and they are both quite knowledgeable on the complex issues surrounding venture fund raising.

For Registration info, click here.

For an agenda, click here (PDF). Download nov_4th_nyc_flyer.pdf

Las Vegas targeting NJ biotech firms

Interestingly strategy. Rather than growing their biotech industry organically, Nevada is looking to entice companies to move to Nevada. Sure, taxes in Nevada are minimal compared to New Jersey, but how many companies/ entrepreneurs and their families are going to want to make the move? Where is the safety net for failed entrepreneurs? Do they then become blackjack dealers?

Las Vegas Targets States' Biotech Firms

Competition among states for biotech companies with high-paying jobs appears to have reached a new level, with Las Vegas targeting other states _ first California and now New Jersey _ in the high-stakes battle for up-and-coming companies.

Biotech Conference at RPI

October 12th...very interesting agenda and set of speakers,

The Lally School of Management and Technology

Founding and growing a biotechnology venture is no more difficult than developing any other type of entrepreneurial high-technology venture. However, the challenges are different in the life sciences area.