rachel maddow gia la riots new jersey devils torn acl derrick rose injury st louis news
Monday, September 24, 2012
Breville YouBrew Review: Excellent, Expensive, Safe for Idiots (Like Me) [Lightning Review]
Venture firms see signs of rebirth in life sciences
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Life-sciences and health investing, long shunned by venture-capital investors, is making a comeback.
Several venture firms globally have each raised or are raising funds this year in the $200 million to $400 million range dedicated to life sciences, biotech and medicine, while others have raised large, diversified funds with big chunks dedicated to those fields.
Venture capitalists are taking that money and pushing it into several life-sciences and health-related fields. Last year, venture backers invested $4.82 billion in biotechnology, up 24 percent from 2010. Medical-devices venture investment rose 17 percent last year, and healthcare services rose 41 percent.
A handful of big acquisitions, new U.S. laws that could speed up drug approval in key areas, and a broader definition of what investors think belongs in those funds are helping to breathe life into the highly cyclical sector, investors say.
Health and biotechnology start-ups need every boost they can get.
Such companies rarely produce blockbuster initial public offerings. For biotechnology in particular, products have to clear high regulatory hurdles and often take over a decade to get to market. The failure rate is high.
Last year, Morgenthaler Ventures and Advanced Technology Ventures spun off their life-sciences investment teams and merged them into an independent group. The group, Lightstone Ventures, is raising a fund of at least $200 million, according to a person familiar with the situation who asked not to be named because fund details are not yet public. Scale Venture Partners said last year it would stop investing in healthcare.
But the firms that remain in the field say they see hope.
Earlier this year Celgene Corp bought venture-backed drugmaker Avila Therapeutics for $350 million, a price tag that could rise to $925 million if Avila meets certain milestones.
Last year, Daiichi Sankyo bought drugmaker Plexxikon for $805 million, which could rise to $935 million if Plexxikon achieves certain milestones.
Big drugmakers see early-stage venture investing as a proxy for expensive in-house drug development. In part because the relative paucity of venture activity in biotech has raised concerns about the long-term product pipeline, they are increasingly investing directly alongside traditional venture investors.
Established companies "can invest in that innovation with a portion of the dollars they would have invested in their own R&D," said Marty Waters, a lawyer at Wilson Sonsini who helps arrange investments in the area.
Some have set up their own venture funds, as Merck & Co did last year when it created its $250 million Merck Research Venture Fund, joining several other major drugmakers with venture arms.
Those moves are in turn helping to encourage remaining venture-capital firms in the field. This year, the funds raised or being raised include Frazier Healthcare Ventures' $400 million fund, Longitude Ventures' $331 million fund, and a $200 million fund from Index Ventures, GlaxoSmithKline, and Johnson & Johnson.
In addition, generalist firms are raising funds with a heavy life-sciences focus, such as a $600 million fund from Canaan Partners, a $270 million fund from Flagship Ventures, and a $2.5 billion fund from New Enterprise Associates.
Partners say there is a sense that because so many firms have succumbed to the challenges and exited life sciences, the ones that remain will have a better shot at success.
Previously, "too much money was chasing too few deals," said Brent Ahrens of Canaan Partners. "If the too-much-money part goes away, that's likely to improve the ecosystem."
BIG IDEAS, NO GLITZ
Few expect life sciences overall will see the heady gains of the 1990s. And because the field doesn't produce glitzy companies, it will never attract the buzz that a sector such as the consumer Internet has enjoyed in recent years.
"This isn't Facebook or Zynga," said James Topper of Frazier. "Over the past 10 years, biotech returns have been steadier than in tech. But you don't have a 100-times fund in biotech like you do in tech," he said, referring to a return of 100 times or more that a few funds have enjoyed as a result of giant scores on companies such as Google and Facebook.
But the different character of life-sciences start-ups is precisely the appeal for many investors. "Every therapeutic idea or product is a big idea," said Kevin Kinsella of Avalon Ventures, which just raised a $200 million life sciences and technology fund. "In technology, until proven otherwise, every idea is a small idea."
Meanwhile, lawmakers and regulators in Washington are working to speed up the approval process for drugs that could lead to breakthroughs in life-threatening diseases - and many investors hope that could in turn speed return on investment.
Some venture firms are also broadening the types of businesses they consider part of the life-sciences field, with ventures that apply information technology to healthcare problems of particular interest.
"There's been more of a consumer-Internet focus," said Annie Lamont of Oak Investment Partners, summing up the attitude as "let's take the consumer Internet and apply it to healthcare."
Oak backs companies such as Castlight, which allows patients to compare costs for medical procedures. The company recently closed a $100 million funding round and is considered an IPO prospect for 2013.
Other venture-backed companies that fit that mold include ZocDoc, which automates appointment booking; 23andMe, which allows customers to test and learn about their DNA; and medical-records company Practice Fusion.
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers recently joined Mohr Davidow Ventures, Aberdare Ventures and the Mayo Clinic as a partner in Rock Health, a program that seeks to foster start-ups that specialize in healthcare-related apps. Rock Health's first class of 35 start-ups graduated last month.
Even traditional healthcare services can sometimes produce venture-capital-style returns. When Universal Health Services acquired psychiatric-facility operator Ascend Health for $500 million in June, Polaris Venture Partners said it stood to earn $115 million, or 10 times the firm's investment.
(Editing by Jonathan Weber, Dale Hudson, Leslie Adler and Andrea Ricci)
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/venture-firms-see-signs-rebirth-life-sciences-184235055--sector.html
hard boiled eggs sound of music mickelson how to tie a tie green bean casserole sweet potato recipes the sound of music
Woman Asks President Obama To Save Her Home
America's Talking ?
All Opinions Welcome
The Fox Nation is for those opposed to intolerance, excessive government control of our lives, and attempts to monopolize opinion or suppress freedom of thought, expression, and worship. Read more...
We invite all Americans who share these values to join us here at Fox Nation.
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Source: http://nation.foxnews.com/woman-appeals-obama/2012/09/22/woman-asks-president-obama-save-her-home
jerel worthy alshon jeffery miami heat bulls red dawn california earthquake california earthquake
'Mad Men,' Bryan Cranston eye Emmy Awards records
?Don Mischer, executive producer of the 64th?Primetime Emmy Awards, left, host?Jimmy Kimmel, center,?and Television Academy chairman and chief executive Bruce Rosenblum attend the Emmy Awards Red Carpet Rollout at the Nokia Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Emmy Awards will be held Sunday, Sept 23. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
?Don Mischer, executive producer of the 64th?Primetime Emmy Awards, left, host?Jimmy Kimmel, center,?and Television Academy chairman and chief executive Bruce Rosenblum attend the Emmy Awards Red Carpet Rollout at the Nokia Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Emmy Awards will be held Sunday, Sept 23. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)
LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Records could be set and hearts definitely will be broken at the Emmy Awards.
Sunday's ceremony gives "Mad Men" a chance to snare its fifth best drama award, surpassing fellow record holders "Hill Street Blues," ''L.A. Law" and "The West Wing."
"Breaking Bad" and "Homeland" are among the series that could prove spoilers for AMC's sophisticated saga about 1960s America.
Bryan Cranston of "Breaking Bad" has a shot at his fourth best drama actor victory, which would tie Dennis Franz's record set in 1999 for "NYPD Blue."
If Cranston wins, that would leave "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm and Michael C. Hall of "Dexter" out in the cold for the fifth time.
Jimmy Kimmel is host of the ceremony airing live at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC, with awards in 26 categories to be presented at the Nokia Theatre.
There's no question broadcast networks will be squirming: Five out of six best drama series slots were claimed by cable shows, both premium and basic, with the sixth going to PBS' "Downton Abbey." On the comedy side, HBO's "Girls," ''Veep" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" made big inroads.
For the elegantly soapy "Downton Abbey," the question is whether a switch from the miniseries category to drama series competition will spell doom for the chances of Maggie Smith, a winner last year, and other cast members including Michelle Dockery.
"Girls," HBO's tough, 21st-century spin on "Sex and the City," and its creator-star Lena Dunham could prove the evening's sweethearts. The show is up for four awards, including best comedy series.
Its heavyweight competition includes "Modern Family," which could claim its third consecutive best comedy series award.
In the miniseries and TV movie category, crowd-pleaser "Hatfields & McCoys" is up against competitors including "Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia" and "Game Change," a dramatization of the John McCain-Sarah Palin 2008 campaign.
But Emmys recognize TV's best, not most popular. While leading nominee "Mad Men" averaged just 2.6 million viewers last season, top-rated show "American Idol" (26 million-plus) isn't even in contention Sunday for best reality-competition program. At least host Ryan Seacrest is, but he faces the formidable Betty White ("Betty White's Off Their Rockers").
Talk show host Kimmel has the chance to burnish his reputation or do a painful David Letterman-style belly flop. He's riding a career wave after adroitly emceeing the White House Correspondents' Association dinner and with ABC's decision to move his late-night show into the thick of competition with Letterman and Jay Leno.
HBO came into the night with a leading 17 creative arts Emmys from a Sept. 15 ceremony honoring technical and other achievements. CBS was second with 13, followed by PBS with 11. Discovery received six awards, NBC got five and ABC and the Cartoon Network won four each. Fox received two trophies.
Emmy has to prove herself a winner with the audience. After rebounding somewhat to 13.5 million viewers in 2010 after an all-time low in 2008 of 12.3 million, last year's show drew 12.4 million viewers airing on Fox. The ceremony rotates annually among the four major networks.
___
http://www.emmys.org
Associated Pressdoris day buffalo sabres texas news kim mulkey sarah palin today show dallas tornado video 1940 census
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Switched On: The iPod's modern family
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.
If you bet that Apple was going to turn the square, occasionally wrist-strapped iPod nano into a MOTOACTV-like watch that would provide a glanceable window into iPhone apps, you lost. Clearly, Apple could have gone that route. It teased in the last generation with an expanding selection of watch faces and used this generation to add Bluetooth and enable a thinner design via the new Lightning connector. Nevertheless, Apple decided to forgo the embryonic smartwatch market. Indeed, it returned to the larger, longer iPod nano school of yore, but with the single-button design of its iOS mobile devices complementing a multitouch interface.
The watch faces may be gone, but the new iPod nano regains the ability to play video while retaining photo display and Nike+ integration. It has become the equivalent of the lineup's feature phone, albeit with a better user interface. Examined in context, the new clip-free iPod nano looks more at home as a midrange option between the tiny iPod shuffle and the now larger iPod touch.
Continue reading Switched On: The iPod's modern family
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Tablets, Wireless
Switched On: The iPod's modern family originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | CommentsSource: http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/23/ipods-modern-family/
derbyshire the matrix oceans 11 ferris state hockey mary poppins john derbyshire kinkade
FACEBOOK LOGIN Trevor R Plummer is this his real age? never !
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 22, 2012 -- British artist, TREVOR R PLUMMER, featured by Royal Approval with Her Majesty the Queen, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The only artist, in the entire world, to produce the No.1 Oldest Art Sculpture with material dated 14 billion years old, recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.
The Sculpture, Quantum, set to break the all time record.
The 14 Billion Years Old Sculpture, Quantum, Description:
Size: Height 92cm Width 78 cm Depth 7cm .
Set to the sculpture head ; a rough moon diamond, one of the rarest diamonds in the world, and very sought after. The sculpture is generating a high level of interest.
One of the most versatile artist, producing sculptures, various works of art, on mixed media, oil on canvas. The artist works with all available materials. The latest sculpture arts consist of some of the most glamorous materials ~ diamonds, gold, silver, solid crystals, geodes, emeralds, sapphires, and a list of many more unique materials.
A certificate of authentication is issued with all the artist?s works.
lance ball lance ball kansas city chiefs chiefs kc chiefs kc chiefs judy garland
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)