Green investing bounces back from recession
Venture Capital investment in green technology companies has jumped to tie pre-recessionary levels, according to a new report out of Greentech Media. With $1.9 billion spread over 112 deals, this year’s third quarter trounced figures from earlier this year, signaling a stronger than anticipated comeback… Continue Reading
Amyris takes $24.7M for renewable biofuels
Amyris Biotechnologies, one of the best-funded companies deriving biofuels from synthetic microorganisms, has raised $24.75 million of a targeted $62 million third round of venture financing, according to a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Emeryville, Calif. company has raised an impressive… Continue Reading
Synthetic Genomics turns to palm oil with $8M investment
Craig Venter is famous for discovering and modifying microorganisms, but his biofuels company, Synthetic Genomics, plans to take the research a step further by sequencing the genome of the oil palm plant.
The company just raised $8 million from Genting Group, a Malaysian conglomerate, according to… Continue Reading
Amyris joins forces with Crystalsev to produce sugary fuels
A combination of rising food prices and environmental concerns has helped spark a backlash against biofuels. Once viewed as a key component of any successful climate mitigation strategy, biofuels — particularly those derived from food crops, such as corn ethanol — have seen their popularity… Continue Reading
LS9 takes $15M to synthesize petroleum alternative
LS9, a Silicon Valley startup that hopes its technology may one day help replace petroleum, has taken $15 million more in funding.
The San Carlos, Calif. company uses synthetic biology to modify microorganisms in order to produce high-energy fuels, including to power cars (see our previous… Continue Reading
Roundup: Biogenerics bill in limbo, clashing data on health IT benefits, the RNAi boom, and more
House-Senate confrontation set over biogenerics – Late last month, a key group of senators reached agreement on legislative provisions that would authorize copycat versions of biotech drugs, which are typically complex proteins manufactured by genetically engineered cells (see details here and here). These provisions would finally… Continue Reading
Genetics roundup: The secrets of DNA, peering into Watson’s genome — and yawning, and more
What secrets lurk in the heart of DNA? – Didn’t the Human Genome Project answer that question? Think again. Last week, scientists involved in a project called Encode reported on a detailed analysis of one percent of the genome, and the findings have undercut a host… Continue Reading
Synthetic Genomics searches for alternative fuels, valued at $200M
Synthetic Genomics, the company started by controversial human genome entrepreneur Craig Venter, has raised financing at a whopper valuation even before it has produced its first viable product.
The company, based in Rockville, Md. is using Venter’s background as an expert in sequencing genes and applying… Continue Reading