Life Science Washington
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- Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Trade Association
Ken Yeung: Seattle Has AWS, UW Research and Aerospace Talent — It Could Be America’s Next AI Capital but Lacks Funding and Recognition
A Substack piece argues Seattle has the infrastructure, talent, and aerospace expertise to become the U.S. next AI hub, but needs stronger storytelling, funding, and national recognition to realize that potential.
Trump-Era Funding Cuts and Hiring Freeze Stall UW Protein Design Startups Led by Nobel Laureate David Baker
The University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design, led by Nobel laureate David Baker, faces a hiring freeze and funding cuts under the Trump administration, stalling its promising protein design startups and reducing opportunities for graduate students and postdocs. Despite Nobel-driven interest and advances in AI-designed proteins, budget constraints threaten future innovation and company spinoffs.
William Canestaro of Washington Research Foundation Advises Life Science Entrepreneurs on Essential First 10 Calls for Startup Success
William Canestaro, managing director of Washington Research Foundation and WRF Capital, advises life science entrepreneurs on crucial early-stage contacts and questions to keep startups on track, highlighting the importance of support networks, investor feedback, and careful regulatory consultation.
Claudiu Bulai Joins AI Startup Quantarium; Lynn Seely Named CEO of Lyell Immunopharma
Claudiu Bulai joined Bellevue AI startup Quantarium as chief innovation officer after five years at Meta’s Reality Labs Research. Lynn Seely became CEO and president of Lyell Immunopharma, succeeding Elizabeth Homans, who will consult through June 2024.
Pacific Northwest Life Sciences Update: Talus Bioscience Raises $9.75M, Kineta Merges with Yumanity, UW’s David Baker Launches Charm Therapeutics
Recent Pacific Northwest life sciences news includes Talus Bioscience raising $9.75 million, Kineta going public via merger with Yumanity, and UW's David Baker launching Charm Therapeutics. Key partnerships involve TwinStrand and Singular Genomics developing rare gene variant tests, and Umoja Biopharma partnering with TreeFrog Therapeutics for stem cell therapies.
Asha AI Launches Voice-Enabled Elder Care Management App, Showcased at Life Science Innovation Northwest 2022
Asha AI, a Redmond-based startup founded by Rashmi Joshi, has launched an iOS app to help elderly users manage healthcare tasks through a voice-enabled interface. The app was showcased at the Life Science Innovation Northwest 2022 event and aims to support independence and caregiver communication.
Apis Health Angel Conference launches health-focused startup competition; winner to be chosen March 24 with pooled funding from 25+ angels
Apis Health Angel Conference, launched by Seattle Angel Conference founder John Sechrest, is a new forum and startup competition to connect investors with health-focused startups and educate new angel investors. Over 50 startups entered the first cohort, narrowing toward a March 24 final where the winner will receive pooled funds from more than 25 angel investors; qualified investors contribute $5,000 and must meet income or asset thresholds.
CBRE: U.S. life-sciences VC tops $30B; Seattle-area firms raise $898M amid scarce lab space
A CBRE report shows U.S. life sciences venture funding topped $30 billion for the 12 months ending September 2021, driving strong demand for lab space and record capital raises in Seattle-area companies that pulled in $898 million during that period. Washington state also saw rising life-science employment and multiple biotech IPOs in 2021, including large offerings from Sana Biotechnology, Absci and Icosavax.
Life Science Washington CEO Leslie Alexandre to retire after leading state’s biotech resurgence as 2021 IPOs raise hundreds of millions
Leslie Alexandre, president and CEO of Life Science Washington, is retiring after five years leading the group during a period of strong growth in Washington state's biotech sector that recovered from a 2016 slump. The region has seen several major biotech IPOs in 2021 (including Sana Biotechnology's $587M, Absci's $200M, and Icosavax's $180M+), growing research strength and recognition as an emerging biotech market.
Former Tech Leaders Join Biotech: Isilon Founder Sujal Patel, Ex-Microsoft Terry Myerson and Others Lead AI-Driven Life Sciences Startups
Several former software and tech executives are moving into biotech and life sciences startups, bringing AI, machine learning, and tech-style business models to companies that analyze proteins, microbes, and medical records. Their tech backgrounds are reshaping product development and funding approaches at firms such as Nautilus Biotechnology, Truveta, insitro and Viome.
Just–Evotec Biologics opens 130,000 sq ft Redmond J.POD to manufacture COVID‑19 antibody therapeutics for U.S. Defense
Just–Evotec Biologics opened a 130,000 sq ft J.POD drug manufacturing facility in Redmond, Washington that uses continuous, autonomous bioprocessing to design, develop and produce antibody therapeutics more efficiently and at lower cost. The plant will manufacture antibodies for the U.S. Department of Defense to potentially treat COVID-19 and supports both small- and large-scale production for biotech customers globally.
Sana Biotechnology to build 163,000 sq ft Fremont biomanufacturing facility to produce T cell therapies, stem cells and viral DNA
Sana Biotechnology will build a 163,000 sq. ft. biomanufacturing facility in Fremont, California to produce T cell therapies, human stem cells, and viral DNA, expanding its operations beyond Seattle after a $587 million IPO. The three-year-old gene-editing and cell therapy company plans to use the site for late-stage clinical and early commercial manufacturing and is hiring across Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston.
Madrona hires ex-AWS product manager Anu Sharma as principal; Saykara and DomainTools add senior marketing and leadership hires
Madrona Venture Group hired Anu Sharma as a principal from AWS; Seattle startups and tech companies also announced hires and promotions, including Saykara naming Joy Efron VP of marketing and DomainTools adding four executives (CTO James Reynolds, CCO Jeff Day, VP of product Jackie Abrams, and VP of people Jill Boon).
Phase Genomics CEO Ivan Liachko shifts company to R&D focus after pandemic hits revenue; one furlough, no layoffs
Phase Genomics, a five-year-old University of Washington spinoff led by CEO Ivan Liachko, shifted to skeleton lab crews and remote work during the pandemic, cutting revenue and furloughing one employee while focusing R&D inward to adapt and continue innovating. The company is adjusting its genomics technology amid Seattle's biotech disruption and exploring ways to help with COVID-19 research.
GeekWire Calendar: Online events March 31–April 1 — Zoom etiquette, women investors panel, founding-team advice, COVID‑19 relief briefing
GeekWire lists several online events for March 31–April 1 including a Zoom etiquette session, panels on women investors and founding teams, a briefing on the ~$2 trillion COVID-19 relief package, and a Female Founders Alliance workshop on resilience.
