After tripling its Austin headcount in the past year, the fast-growing cybersecurity company has moved to a larger downtown office to prepare for more growth.
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Akido: Most people accessing USC COVID-19 patient self-assessment tool report mild symptoms
Akido: Research boosts hope USC’s COVID-19 self-triage tool can ease hospitals’ burden
July 7, 2020
In March, a team at USC’s Gehr Family Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation helped create a patient self-assessment tool to help people determine whether they might have the novel coronavirus.
The Gehr team kept at it, tracking usage of the tool to detect trends. What they’ve found is that only 20 percent of users reported severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention. The rest reported mild symptoms “that can likely be managed with simple home self-care,” said William Mehring, a first-year medical student at the Keck School of Medicine who helped work on the tool and who led the research. …
Triumvira Announces Grant of T Cell Antigen Coupler (TAC) Technology Patent by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
October 08, 2019 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
AUSTIN, Texas & HAMILTON, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Triumvira Immunologics (Triumvira), a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing a novel platform for engineering T-cells to attack cancers, today announced the issuance of key claims in U.S. Patent No. 10435453 entitled “Trifunctional T cell-antigen coupler and methods and uses thereof.” The allowed composition-of-matter claims describe multiple structures used in TAC constructs providing broad protection of the company’s TAC platform.
Triumvira recently announced the clearance of its Investigational New Drug (IND) and Clinical Trial Applications (CTA) by U.S. and Canadian Health Authorities for its novel T cell therapy product TAC01-CD19 in patients with CD19-positive B-cell malignancies. The Phase 1/2 study (TACTIC-19, NCT03880279) is expected to be initiated in late 2019.
“Obtaining intellectual property protection of our TAC platform is a key milestone and confirms that TAC is a well-differentiated technology,” said Dr. Paul Lammers, Triumvira’s President and CEO. “Issuance of our composition of matter claims further strengthens our position as a company pioneering novel engineered T cell approaches as we are bringing this innovative treatment to patients.”
Triumvira’s preclinical data previously revealed unique biological differences of TAC-engineered T cells compared to second-generation CAR-T cells, with TAC-T cells producing greater anti-tumor efficacy and no evidence of toxicity, particularly in models of solid tumors.
About TAC01-CD19
Despite transformational efficacy with existing approved Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells (CAR-T), a significant unmet need remains due to substantial CAR-T toxicities and limited tumor types where CAR-T is effective. Triumvira is developing a proprietary T Cell Antigen Coupler (TAC) technology platform which is biologically distinct from CAR-T. The first of the company’s pipeline product candidates, TAC01-CD19, is a novel T cell therapy product targeting CD19 for use in B-cell malignancies. The product comprises patient-derived T cells that have been genetically engineered to express the CD19 T cell Antigen Coupler (TAC). Preclinical data suggest that TAC01-CD19 has the potential for being highly efficacious with minimal side effects in hematological malignancies.
2019.10.11
Hicor Technologies Becomes Reach Production Solutions
September 09, 2019 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hicor Technologies (“Hicor”) announced today that it has changed its name to Reach Production Solutions (“Reach”). The name change follows the commercialization of the company’s artificial lift system and represents the transition from a compression technology company to a full-service artificial lift and frac hit recovery solutions provider.
Hicor Technologies announced today that it has changed its name to Reach Production Solutions. Reach Production Solutions is a leading provider of artificial lift and frac hit recovery solutions.Tweet this
Since 2009, the company has been working to develop its proprietary multi-phase compression technology with the support of its investor group, which includes EV Private Equity, Equinor Technology Ventures and Chevron Technology Ventures. The company has now packaged its compression technology into a plug-and-play solution that enables operators to improve production, increase well and reservoir life, and quickly recover from frac hits.
The company’s technology offers numerous benefits to operators, including the ability to significantly increase production from the surface on both a standalone basis or in conjunction with other artificial lift methods. At the heart of the system is a multi-phase compressor that can realize compression ratios of up to 40:1, enabling a broad operating envelope that self-adjusts to well production fluctuations. Additionally, the system can be installed in less than 24 hours and does not require downhole interventions, utilities, site preparation or other surface facilities.
“We are extremely proud of the innovative technology we have developed. Our lift solution enables operators to do more with less, which is precisely what is needed in today’s difficult commodity price environment,” said Rob Perry, CEO of Reach Production Solutions. “We are excited to bring this technology to market and showcase our capabilities as a full-service artificial lift and frac hit recovery solutions provider.”
About Reach Production Solutions
Reach Production Solutions, based in Houston, TX, is a leading provider of artificial lift and frac hit recovery solutions. At the heart of Reach’s product offering is its proprietary multi-phase compression technology that enables operators to increase production in both oil and gas wells from the surface. Reach partners with operators and leverages its mechanical, petroleum and systems engineering expertise to dramatically improve well and reservoir performance. More information on Reach can be found at www.ReachPS.com
Triumvira Immunologics Announces Clearance of IND and CTA by U.S. FDA and Health Canada for Its First TAC T-cell Therapeutic Product Candidate, TAC01-CD19
June 18, 2019 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
AUSTIN, Texas & HAMILTON, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Triumvira Immunologics, Inc. (Triumvira), a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel platform for engineering T cells to attack cancers, today announced that both the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada have cleared Triumvira’s Investigational New Drug (IND) and Clinical Trial Applications (CTA) for its novel T cell therapy product TAC01-CD19 in patients with CD19-postive B-cell malignancies. The Phase 1/2 study (TACTIC-19) is expected to be initiated in the third quarter of 2019.
Paul Lammers, MD, MSc., President and CEO of Triumvira commented, “Obtaining FDA and Health Canada clearance of our first IND for this novel approach fulfills our goal to be a clinical stage biotechnology company and demonstrates our commitment to bringing this innovative treatment to patients. TAC01-CD19 will be tested at five leading lymphoma clinical study centers in the U.S. and Canada. Based on its preclinical profile, TAC01-CD19 has the potential to represent a significant advancement in T cell therapy.”
About TAC01-CD19
Despite transformational efficacy with existing approved Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells (CAR-T), a significant unmet need remains due to substantial CAR-T toxicities and limited tumor types where CAR-T is effective. Triumvira is developing a proprietary T Cell Antigen Coupler (TAC) technology platform which is biologically distinct from CAR-T. The first of our pipeline product candidates, TAC01-CD19 is a novel T cell therapy product targeting CD19 for use in B-cell malignancies. The product comprises patient-derived T cells that have been genetically engineered to express the CD19 T cell Antigen Coupler (TAC). Preclinical data suggest that TAC01-CD19 has the potential for being highly efficacious with minimal side effects in hematological malignancies.
About CD19 and Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
CD19 is a B cell marker and is expressed on the surface of B cell malignancies such as Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. DLBCL is a subtype of Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHLs)and is expected to impact approximately 26,000 patients annually in the U.S. Even though significant improvements in therapies have occurred in the past years, about 45% of patients with DLBCL die of either their disease or of non-cancerous causes.
2019.06.18
Cisco is buying Duo Security for $2.35B in cash
August 2018
TechCrunch:
Cisco today announced its intention to buy Ann Arbor, MI-based security firm, Duo Security. Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco is paying $2.35 billion in cash and assumed equity awards for Duo.
Duo Security was founded in 2010 by Dug Song and Jonathan Oberheide and went on to raise $121.M through several rounds of funding. The company has 700 employees with offices throughout the United States and in London, though the company has remained headquartered in Ann Arbor.
Co-founder and CEO Dug Song will continue leading Duo as its General Manager and will join Cisco’s Networking and Security business led by EVP and GM David Goeckeler. Cisco in a statement said they value Michigan’s “resources, rich talent pool, and infrastructure,” and remain committed to Duo’s investment and presence in the Great Lakes State.
The acquisition feels like a good fit for Cisco. Duo’s security apparatus lets employees use their own device for adaptive authentication. Instead of issuing key fobs with security codes, Duo’s solution works securely with any device. And within Cisco’s environment, the technology should feel like a natural fit for CTOs looking for secure two-factor authentication.
“Our partnership is the product of the rapid evolution of the IT landscape alongside a modernizing workforce, which has completely changed how organizations must think about security,” said Dug Song, Duo Security’s co-founder and chief executive officer. “Cisco created the modern IT infrastructure, and together we will rapidly accelerate our mission of securing access for all users, with any device, connecting to any application, on any network. By joining forces with the world’s largest networking and enterprise security company, we have a unique opportunity to drive change at a massive scale, and reshape the industry.”
Over the last few years, Cisco has made several key acquisitions: OpenDNS, Sourcefire, Cloudlock, and now Duo. This latest deal is expected to close in the first quarter of Cisco’s fiscal year 2019.
2018.08.03
Nature Communications Publishes Studies Comparing Triumvira’s T Cell Antigen Coupler (TAC) Technology with CAR T Cell Therapy
The article, titled “The chimeric TAC receptor co-opts the T cell receptor yielding robust anti-tumor activity without toxicity” presents results from pre-clinical studies with human T cells engineered with Triumvira’s proprietary TAC technology directed against multiple antigens. The results clearly demonstrate robust and antigen-specific cytokine production and cytotoxicity in vitro and strong anti-tumor activity in a variety of xenograft models, including solid and liquid tumors. In addition, the study observes that HER2-TAC T cells demonstrate robust penetration and local proliferation and activation in solid tumors.
“This peer-reviewed article provides scientific validation of our platform TAC technology and provides future hope for patients by potentially making T cell therapy more accessible to a much larger pool of cancer patients,” commented Paul Lammers, MD, MSc, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Based on these data and other pre-clinical data in hand, we continue with confidence to advance this program into clinical development.”
“Comparative studies in a solid tumor model demonstrated the unique biological differences of the TAC and CAR receptors. Unlike the known toxicities with CAR T cell therapy, this study indicated that TAC T cells outperformed second generation CAR T cells, revealing both increased tumor penetrating ability, anti-tumor efficacy and reduced toxicity,” commented Jonathan Bramson, PhD, Professor of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Vice Dean for Research at McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada, and Triumvira’s co-founder and Acting Chief Scientific Officer. “These results are exciting and help to elucidate the mechanism of TAC T cells, which may have a superior therapeutic index relative to CAR T cells.”
About Triumvira Immunologics
Triumvira Immunologics, Inc. is an immunotherapy company co-founded in 2015 by Dr. Jonathan Bramson at McMaster University and Bloom Burton & Co., a niche life-sciences investment bank, with the vision of developing novel T cell therapies that are safer and more efficacious than current cell therapy cancer treatments, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and engineered T cell receptor (TCR) therapies. Our proprietary T cell Antigen Coupler (TAC) technology recruits the entire natural T cell receptor and is independent of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), allowing for the development of better therapies for a broader range of patients with either solid or liquid malignancies and with diseases other than cancer. With operations spanning North America, our corporate offices are located in Austin, Texas, and our research facilities are in Hamilton, Ontario. For more information, visit www.triumvira.com or send email inquiries to partners@triumvira.com.
Neurodyn Appoints Anthony J. Giovinazzo as Director and Executive Chairman
VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Neurodyn Cognition Inc. (“NCI” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony Giovinazzo as a director and Executive Chairman of the Company. NCI is focused on the development of Memogain, a prodrug of an approved Alzheimer’s therapy with significantly improved safety and efficacy. Memogain has successfully completed its Phase I clinical trials and is in the process of raising funding for its Phase II development program leading to a pivotal marketing study.
“We are pleased to welcome Anthony Giovinazzo to the NCI Board as our Executive Chairman”
2018.04.25
‘Unicorn’ cybersecurity company gets ready for more growth in Austin
After tripling its Austin headcount in the past year, fast-growing Duo Security has moved to a larger downtown office to accommodate more employees.
Duo Security: 10 startups outside Silicon Valley to watch in 2018
Duo Security (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
When Duo Security cofounders Dug Song and Jon Oberheide first pitched venture capitalists on their startup in 2010, they were told that they needed to relocate to Silicon Valley to create a successful company. Nearly seven years later, Song and Oberheide proved their critics wrong when Duo Security became Ann Arbor’s first unicorn company after raising $70 million in October. According to a company spokesman, Duo Security has more than doubled its revenue for the past four consecutive years.
Duo Security is one 23 startups that became unicorns in 2017, scoring valuation of $1.17
GeoDigital Names Auto Industry Veteran To Lead 3D Mapping and Self-Driving Vehicles Business Unit
Thibodeau will oversee GeoDigital’s “digital roads” program, the largest effort yet to build an independent mapping platform for mass-produced autonomous vehicles.
2015.09.10
Geodigital, Flot Systems, an Environmental Consultants Inc Parter for UAV-Based Utility Asset Inspection Program
GeoDigital, FLōT Systems, and Environmental Consultants Inc. (ECI) have formed a partnership to bring utilities remote asset inspection capabilities via Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) – also known as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
2015.06.04
GeoDigital to Partner with PPL Electric Utilities to Better Manage Vegetation for Increased Reliability
The Pennsylvania utility selects the GeoDigital preconfigured transmission industry solution for vegetation management to further increase network reliability, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.
2015.05.20
GeoDigital: Mapping the Utility Landscape With Big Data
GeoDigital wants to turn the physical world into data — and then turn that data back into real-world intelligence for electric and gas utilities, telecommunications infrastructure build-outs, and perhaps someday, self-driving cars.
2015.05.13
Forbes: Duo Security Expands Beyond Two-Factor Authentication With $30 Million In Series C Funding
By making their software simple and easy to use while still being secure, the founders of Duo Security have created a fan base of clients–so much so that the company’s account has almost 50 thousand Twitter followers. Now the cofounders are hoping to bring that same excitement to a new enterprise platform that will give the startup a chance to crack the $67 billion security market.
2015.04.15
Positive Phase 1A Outcome for Memogain® Means Potential New Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease
Neurodyn Life Sciences Inc. announced completion of its first-in-human clinical study, demonstrating Memogain’s potential benefits over existing Alzheimer’s drugs: increased safety in the absence of significant side effects and more potent cognitive enhancement.
2014.09.09
Xcel Energy to Implement GeoDigital for Vegetation and Pole Management
GeoDigital today announced that Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) has chosen to implement its WorkStudio work management system for Vegetation Management and Pole Maintenance.
2014.07.15
GeoDigital Maps Out Highways for Self-Driving Cars
GeoDigital International Inc. first saw demand for its three-dimensional mapping technology from utilities that use it to inspect their vast networks of power lines. Now the same technology, based on a combination of lasers and radar called Lidar, is being tested by a maker of self-driving cars to map out the U.S. highway system.
2014.06.12
GeoDigital International, Inc. Raises New Equity Financing From Leading International Investors
The round was led by EnerTech Capital, a prominent North American venture capital investor focused on the energy and power industries, and Emerald Technology Ventures, one of the world’s largest clean technology investors.
2014.06.10
Duo Security & LastPass Partner to Add Enterprise Two-Factor Authentication for Password Management
Duo Security, the innovative leader in two-factor authentication, and LastPass, the leading password manager, announces a new partnership, integrating Duo’s mobile-based two-factor authentication solution to the LastPass password management platform to provide an additional layer of credential security, protecting both personal and enterprise users.
2014.04.02
Duo Security Achieved Over 300% Increase in Revenue in 2013; Continues to Lead the Cloud-Based Two-Factor Authentication Market
Duo Security, the leading cloud-based two-factor authentication provider, announced 325 percent growth in 2013, in addition to doubling staff size and releasing enhanced features to better support enterprise security. Duo’s growth can be attributed to both enhanced enterprise features and lower total cost of ownership for small and medium-sized businesses, making security attainable for everyone.
2014.02.05
Neurodyn completes Part I of Memogain® Phase IA Clinical Trial
The trial results confirm that the drug is effectively absorbed, is well tolerated, and did not cause any of the side effects observed by other presently available drugs for Alzheimer’s.
2014.01.17
GGI achieved 1st place in overall yield results at IPSA Corn and Soybean trials
We are obviously pleased to achieve these compelling results in our first year of joining the IPSA trials,” said Green & Grow Inc. President & CEO Alan Sobba. “The IPSA trials and GGI’s other commissioned research trials in 2013 demonstrate that our Agriplier™ Technology has a significant future as an additive solution to existing Seed Treatment products on the market today.
2014.01.12
Houston energy tech company shakes up its strategy, plans spinoff and major growth
OsComp Systems Inc., a young energy tech company that specializes in natural gas solutions, is planning a massive strategy overhaul through which it will split itself into two separate companies.
2013.10.28
Duo Security To Provide Two-Factor Authentication for Facebook
Duo Security, the innovative leader in cloud-based two-factor authentication, and Yubico, the leading provider of simple, open online identity protection, announced today that Facebook has successfully deployed Duo Security and YubiKey two-factor authentication technologies across its enterprise.
2013.10.08
Neurodyn Inc. Acquires Memogain® For Dementia in Alzheimer’s Disease
Neurodyn Inc. announced today that it has acquired from Galantos Pharma GmbH, Mainz, Germany (galantos.com) all assets related to their Alzheimer’s prescription drug candidate – Memogain®.
2013.09.05
Neurodyn Inc. Secures Patent for Diagnostic Technology
Neurodyn Inc. announced today that one of its key patents (Sterol Glucosides Toxins) will be issued in the US on July 30th, 2013. The lead inventor on this patent is Dr. Chris Shaw, University of British Columbia.
2013.07.30
Northeastern University and Duo Security Collaborate to Fix Critical “Master Key” Android Vulnerabilities
Researchers from Northeastern University’s System Security Lab (NEU SecLab) and Duo Security, a cloud-based two-factor authentication company, announced today the release of a mobile application called “ReKey” that fixes the critical “Master Key” vulnerabilities in Google’s Android mobile platform that enable attackers to take full control of a user’s mobile device.
2013.07.16
Neurodyn Inc. Launches NeuroPro™ To Support Cognitive and Mental Function
Neurodyn Inc. announced the North American launch of NeuroPro™ (10% triterpenoid saponin) supplement.
2013.06.12
CSI Selects Duo Security’s Authentication Solution for Its Leading Internet Banking Platform
Duo Security announced today that Computer Services, Inc. (CSI) has selected Duo two-factor authentication (2FA) for its online banking platform. With Duo Security, CSI will deliver 2FA as an opt-in service to more than 140 financial institutions currently leveraging its Internet Banking platform.
2013.05.13
OsComp, Global Partners Pursue Virtual Pipelines for Natural Gas
Forbes: OsComp Systems, a privately held start-up company based in Houston,Texas, wants to distribute natural gas the way that propane is distributed and has pioneered a compressor technology that it claims will allow it to do so.
2013.04.23
Global Partners Forms Alliance with OsComp Systems to Supply Compressed Natural Gas to New England Businesses
WALTHAM, Mass. Global Partners LP (NYSE: GLP), a FORTUNE 500® midstream logistics and marketing company, has entered into an agreement with OsComp Systems, Inc. to provide compressed natural gas (CNG) via truck to commercial, industrial and municipal customers in New England.
2013.03.07
VIDEO: Neurodyn
Neurodyn profiled as a leading bioscience company in Atlantic Canada
2013.03.04
Duo Security Researchers find loophole in Google’s two-factor authentication
Duo Security reported the vulnerability this week after notifying Google and giving it time to release a fix.
2013.02.27
Duo Security Achieves Record Growth in Two-Factor Authentication Market with over 400% Increase in Revenue
Adds over 600 New Customers Including PwC, Toyota, Etsy, Bechtel, and Thomson Reuters
2013.02.19
GeoDigital and Google work together to provide faster, smarter solutions for utilities
GeoDigital International Inc. announced today a new collaboration with Google, helping utility organizations to effectively address the fast growing and heavily regulated aspects of engineering and vegetation management in both Transmission and Distribution markets.
2013.02.18
Authen2cate Partners with Duo Security to Expand Two-Factor Authentication Capabilities
Customers of authen2cate can now enable Duo Security’s two-factor authentication service, providing an additional layer of security included with the service.
2013.02.05
Shaking Up a $6.9B Market, MIT’s Martin Trust Center Names OsComp Systems Company of the Week
In the basement of Boston’s Greentown Labs, the team behind OsComp Systems has been trying to shake up an industry that’s been around for over 400 years.
2012.03.12
Google Ventures Backs Duo Security
IT security start-up Duo Security has raised $5 million in a Series A round led by Google Ventures for technology that uses cell phones to help protect log-in and password information.
2012.02.28
GeoDigital Acquires Powel, Inc.
Lidar and data acquisition firm purchases US assets of Powel AS to fortify market leading postion in utility vegetation management.
2011.12.20
Forbes lists OsComp CEO Pedro Santos on “30 Under 30: Energy” rankings
Pedro Santos, Chief Executive, OsComp Systems, 27. Invented a wellhead compression technology that promises to cut costs of natural gas production.
2011.12.19
Michael Godwin and Jason Townsend to launch Resonant Venture Partners
Michael Godwin, MBA ’10, and Jason Townsend, MBA ’10, could have joined a venture capital firm after graduation. But they decided they’d rather start their own.
2011.05.24