This Week’s Biotech Highlights

Well, Dylan said it and December made it true: “accept it that soon, You’ll be drenched to the bone.” Winter finally arrived in Toronto, and in the world of biotech, it did feel like The Times They Are A-Changin’.

It may not have been “a battle outside,” but the Canadian Science Policy Conference did shake some windows and rattle some walls in October; and as of this week, you can check out the audio and video recorded there including Bruce Alberts and Preston Manning.

Dylan’s verse for “writers and critics” said “don’t speak too soon,” but for biotech founders toiling away at startups, my advice is don’t wait too long either. Check out the top three reasons for biotech companies to use social media.

You couldn’t ask for a better sign of changing times than the closing of three new funds this past week. In Canada, there’s a new $2 million fund to lend to growing companies with SR&ED credits as collateral and a new $300 million tech fund that Tandem closed, including money from Teralys (working quickly!). And in the U.S., 5am Ventures closed a $200 million fund for early-stage life science investments.

Bringing It All Back Home: keep on top of all the changing times in biotech by staying tuned to The Cross-Border Biotech Blog and @crossborderbio on Twitter.