Washington Research Foundation
Facts
- HQ
- Washington State
- Sectors
- Non-profit Organizations
- Founded
- 1981
- Employees
- 22
- Founders
- Tom Cable, Bill Gates, Sr., Hunter Simpson
BrainChild Bio raises $116M Series A to fund pivotal Phase II trial of B7-H3 CAR T for DIPG
BrainChild Bio closed a $116 million Series A to fund a pivotal Phase II registrational trial (ILLUMINATE, NCT07680439) of BCB-276, a B7-H3-targeted CAR T therapy for DIPG, and to advance BCB-214 toward clinical testing. The company, spun out of Seattle Children's in January 2024, reported encouraging Phase I data (median overall survival 19.8 months) and has Breakthrough Therapy and RMAT designations for BCB-276.
BrainChild Bio raises $116M Series A to launch pivotal registrational trial of BCB-276 CAR T therapy for pediatric DIPG
BrainChild Bio, a Seattle Children’s spinout, raised $116 million in Series A funding to support a pivotal registrational trial of BCB-276, an autologous CAR T-cell therapy targeting DIPG in children, with plans to expand into adult CNS tumors including glioblastoma.
BrainChild Bio raises $116M Series A from Seattle Children’s and WRF to fund pivotal CAR-T trial for DIPG
BrainChild Bio, spun out of Seattle Children’s Hospital, raised $116 million in a Series A led by Seattle Children’s and WRF Capital to fund a pivotal phase 2 trial of CAR-T candidate BCB-276 for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and advance a planned phase 1 glioblastoma program.
BrainChild Bio raises $116M to advance CAR-T treatments for pediatric brain cancers, including Phase 2 DIPG trial
BrainChild Bio raised $116 million to advance CAR-T cell therapies for rare pediatric brain cancers, with BCB-276 in Phase 2 for DIPG and BCB-214 nearing human testing for glioblastoma.
Washington Research Foundation names Ankit K. Azad to ninth Venture Analyst cohort to evaluate health-tech grants and startups
The Washington Research Foundation named Kolkata-born consultant Ankit K. Azad to its ninth cohort of Venture Analysts, bringing his life sciences and healthcare commercial strategy experience to evaluate grant applications and early-stage startups. Azad, a former ZS Associates consultant and current MBA candidate at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, will work part-time with the Seattle-based foundation to assess the commercial viability of scientific discoveries from Washington research institutions.
Microsoft names Aneesh Raman chief economic opportunity officer and promotes Jenny Lay‑Flurrie; DAT CPO Brian Gill resigns
Microsoft promoted Jenny Lay‑Flurrie to corporate vice president of its Trusted Technology Group and named Aneesh Raman chief economic opportunity officer; Zillow appointed a new policy lead while departures occurred at Oracle, Hiya and DAT Freight & Analytics, including DAT’s CPO Brian Gill resigning.
Accipiter Bio raises $10.5M more to speed AI-designed multi-target protein drugs, expanding clinical pipeline
Seattle biotech Accipiter Bio raised an additional $10.5 million from existing investors to accelerate development of AI-designed multi-target protein therapeutics and expand its team and clinical pipeline. The company, now 22 people strong and partnered with Pfizer and Kite/Gilead, will use the funds to advance three to four programs—focusing mainly on immunology alongside oncology—after emerging from stealth last year with $12.7 million.
CoMotion Awards $575K to 11 Research Teams in Spring 2025 Innovation Gap Fund for Commercialization Efforts
CoMotion announced 11 research teams receiving a total of $575,000 in its Spring 2025 Innovation Gap Fund to support commercialization and business development efforts. The program helps researchers refine pitches and accelerate projects towards commercial success with mentoring and funding.
Washington Research Foundation Commits $1.7M to Renew UW–WSU Postdoctoral Entrepreneurship Collaboration
The Washington Research Foundation has committed $1.7 million over three years to support the UW CoMotion–WSU Postdoctoral Entrepreneurship Program, building on a prior $1.2 million grant in 2023. This funding supports postdoctoral researchers with mentorship and training to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization across Washington's research institutions.
Seattle’s Accipiter Bio Raises $12.7M, Partners with Pfizer and Kite Pharma to Advance AI-Designed Multi-Target Protein Therapies
Seattle biotech startup Accipiter Biosciences, founded by researchers from Nobel laureate David Baker's lab, secured $12.7 million and partnerships with Pfizer and Kite Pharma to develop AI-designed multi-target proteins aiming to improve disease treatment efficacy and reduce clinical trial costs.
Brianna McDonald Launches Seattle’s Ecosystem Venture Group to Unite Investors and Support Startups with New Fund
Brianna McDonald has launched Seattle's Ecosystem Venture Group to integrate angel investors, VCs, and entrepreneurs by providing investment funding and advisory services. The group aims to break down sector silos and support startups toward profitability rather than chasing unicorn status.
Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology Secures $10M Grant to Advance DNA Recording Technology for Disease Research
The Seattle Hub for Synthetic Biology received a $10 million grant from the Washington Research Foundation to support training scientists and launching biotech startups developing DNA recording technology for studying diseases. This initiative, launched in January 2024, is a collaboration between the Allen Institute, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and the University of Washington.
Expedia Appoints Scott Schenkel as CFO Amid C-Suite Changes; Ex-Microsoft AI VP Luis Vargas Launches AI Startup
Expedia Group appointed Scott Schenkel as its new CFO, succeeding Julie Whalen, amid broader executive changes including CEO Ariane Gorin's leadership. Meanwhile, former Microsoft AI VP Luis Vargas left to start a new AI startup as chief technologist.
Flexe Names Pirasenna Thiyagarajan CTO; Talus Bioscience Appoints Gaelle Mercenne Amid $11.2M Funding; Vouched Adds David McGrath as Sales VP
Flexe appointed Pirasenna Thiyagarajan as chief technology and product officer following CTO David Glick's departure. Talus Bioscience hired Gaelle Mercenne as head of biology after securing $11.2 million in funding, while Vouched named David McGrath as vice president of sales amid leadership changes.
Symbl Names Former GE Healthcare CTO Selvan Senthivel as CTO; Nautilus Biotechnology Hires Ken Suzuki as CMO
Symbl, a Seattle-based generative AI startup, appointed Selvan Senthivel, former GE HealthCare CTO, as its new CTO, while Nautilus Biotechnology named Ken Suzuki as its CMO. Additionally, William Canestaro stepped down from the Washington Research Foundation, and Milkana Brace joined the Technology Alliance board.
Seattle Startup MotherDuck Hires Former Google Leaders Frances Perry and Margaret Lawrence Rosas; Humanly Adds VP of Growth Pallavi Sinha
Seattle startup MotherDuck hired Frances Perry, a former Google engineering director, as engineering manager, and Margaret Lawrence Rosas, former Looker and Google executive, as head of customer success. Additionally, Pallavi Sinha joined Seattle startup Humanly as vice president of growth.
Earth Finance Acquires Molecule, Appoints Timothy Zenk as Managing Director; Hires Jennifer Sullo After $14M Raise
Earth Finance acquired Seattle-based climate advocacy firm Molecule, with its founder Timothy Zenk joining as managing director to lead renewable fuels and public policy teams. Earth Finance, which recently raised $14 million and was co-founded by former Washington state Senator Reuven Carlyle, also hired Jennifer Sullo, a former Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan executive.
Washington Mutual's $1.9B 2008 Failure Guides FDIC in Silicon Valley Bank Takeover Amid Tech Sector Impact
Washington Mutual's 2008 failure remains the largest U.S. bank collapse and serves as a possible model for the recent Silicon Valley Bank collapse, with both involving FDIC intervention and potential acquisition by JPMorgan Chase to protect depositors. The FDIC aims to find a buyer for Silicon Valley Bank quickly to prevent panic and maintain access to funds for tech companies.
University of Washington Students' Endozene Wins $15,000 for Endometriosis Menstrual Blood Test at 8th UW Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge
University of Washington students' startup Endozene won the top prize and $15,000 at the 8th annual UW Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge for developing a menstrual blood test to detect endometriosis using a lateral flow assay. Other winning teams included Amor, creating an artificial liver support device, and OneCourt.
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.
Seattle Startups Karat and Common Room Hire New Execs; Microsoft Veteran Peter Petesch Departs After 32 Years
Seattle startups Karat and Common Room have hired new executives, with Karat appointing Scott Bonneau as EVP of operations and product, and Amy Sennett as general counsel, while Common Room brought on Matt Duchesne as VP of sales. Additionally, longtime Microsoft engineering leader Peter Petesch departed after 32 years, and Seattle-based Skytap hired Rahul Tripathi as chief product and technology officer.
University of Washington Launches Vilya with $50 Million to Develop Membrane-Permeable Peptide Drugs
University of Washington researchers developed custom peptides that penetrate cell membranes, enabling a new class of drugs with combined benefits of small molecules and protein therapeutics. They founded Vilya, backed by $50 million from Arch Venture Partners, to commercialize this drug platform described in Cell.
SEngine Precision Medicine Raises $10M to Advance Paris Test for Personalized Cancer Drug Treatment
Seattle startup SEngine Precision Medicine raised $10 million to advance its Paris Test, which tailors cancer drug treatments by culturing patient tumor cells and testing drug responses. The test aims to provide personalized treatment options beyond traditional genomic tests and has been used by about 800 patients so far.
Cyrus Biotechnology raises $18M and acquires Orthogonal Biologics, adding COVID-19 decoy therapeutic and deep mutational scanning platform
Seattle protein engineering company Cyrus Biotechnology raised $18 million and acquired Orthogonal Biologics, adding a deep mutational scanning platform and two protein therapeutics including a potential COVID-19 decoy. Cyrus leverages University of Washington IPD tools (Rosetta, RoseTTAfold) and has partnerships including a deal with Selecta Biosciences worth up to $1.5 billion.
2Morrow raises $1.5M led by WRF Capital, total funding now $2.9M to expand ACT-based digital therapeutics
Seattle-area digital therapeutics startup 2Morrow raised $1.5 million, bringing total funding to $2.9 million, to expand its smartphone-based coaching apps that use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for smoking cessation, weight loss, stress and grief. The 11-person company, led by CEO and co-founder Jo Masterson, saw increased demand in 2020 and has partnered with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center since 2013.
People
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William Canestaro Managing Director
