As many of you know, after six wonderful years with BioWorld, I’m moving on to take a position as associate director of corporate communications with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals. When BioWorld asked me to write a farewell blog post, I jumped at the opportunity. But I struggled with how to “frame up” the story (to use reporter lingo one last time). Maybe I should recount favorite memories (our BIO 2009 party would have to be near the top). Or lessons learned (ask the “obvious” question – you might get an unexpected answer). Or maybe top quotes I’ve heard in interviews. I will...

Orphagen Pharmaceuticals Inc. knows its orphan nuclear receptor programs are too early stage for most venture capitalists. In fact, they're too early even for most academics, CEO Scott Thacher told BioWorld Today.

Five years after its founding and 15 years after work started on its lead compound, Oncolix Inc. is finally reaching out to venture capitalists for funding. The Houston-based start-up has thus far managed without big-money backers because the academics and contractors who've come into contact with its prolactin antagonist Prolanta (G129R) have been eager to lend their support.

At a time when many big pharmas are trimming internal research programs, Novartis AG has been quietly expanding.

Dental start-up C3 Jian Inc. has found pros and cons to operating in a field not frequented by biotechs.

Biotech firms have long borrowed ideas from the high tech world. The venture-backed start-up business model on which the entire biotech industry is based came from high tech, and it has served both industries well despite their very different timelines and cost structures. Even so, current capital constraints have put "unprecedented strain" on biotech business models, according to Ernst & Young's Lead Analyst Gautam Jaggi, requiring a rethink of everything from company founding to drug development to healthcare delivery.

With $7.5 million of Series A funding in hand and a Series B round on deck, Cellworks Group Inc. is advancing lead drug CWG952 toward the clinic for rheumatoid arthritis.

Six months after raising $69 million to support the anticipated launch of hepatitis B vaccine Heplisav, Dynavax Technologies Corp. is at it again. The Berkeley, Calif.-based biotech completed another public offering, this time raising $74.4 million for more Heplisav ramp-up.

Funding for innovation is of constant concern to the biopharma industry – now more than ever as venture firms evolve under pressure, with some shutting down or merging, others struggling to fundraise, and several exploring new business models.

Biotech has become increasingly virtual over the last few years, and several recent studies and surveys indicate the trend is likely to continue, particularly when it comes to outsourcing of research and development.