Nov 30, 2017

Semma raises $114 million for Type 1 diabetes treatment

Semma Therapeutics is looking to cure Type 1 diabetes. Photo: Nam Y. Huh

Semma Therapeutics has raised $114 million in a new funding round that will help the biotech startup test its novel treatment for Type 1 diabetes in humans. Cowen, which just financed $108 million for its health care venture capital fund, co-led the round with Eight Roads Ventures.

Why it matters: If Semma succeeds with its research and technology — which uses stem cells to generate insulin-producing cells — it would create a breakthrough medicine for people who have Type 1 diabetes, which is rarer than Type 2 and cannot be prevented.

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Dan Primack
32 mins ago - Economy & Business

Scoop: Instacart raises another $100 million

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios Visuals

Grocery delivery company Instacart has raised $100 million in new funding, on top of the $225 million it announced last month, the company tells Axios. This brings its valuation to $13.8 billion.

Why it matters: This funding comes at what could be an inflection point for Instacart, as customers it acquired during coronavirus lockdowns decide whether they want to continue with the service or resume in-person grocery shopping.

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Axios
Updated 51 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 10 a.m. ET: 10,902,347 — Total deaths: 521,940 — Total recoveries — 5,777,662 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 10 a.m. ET: 2,739,879 — Total deaths: 128,740 — Total recoveries: 781,970 — Total tested: 33,462,181 — Map.
  3. Public health: The states where face coverings are mandatory — Regeneron stops trial after drug fails to help patients — What we know about the coronavirus immune response — Fauci says it has been a "very disturbing week" for the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S.
  4. Business: Top business leaders urge the White House to develop mandatory mask guidelines.
  5. Politics: Herman Cain hospitalized for COVID-19 after attending Trump Tulsa rally — Biden downplays jobs number, rebukes Trump for ignoring health crisis.
  6. Economy: The economy may recover just quickly enough to kill political interest in more stimulus.
  7. States: Texas mandates face masks in public spaces — Florida reports more than 10,000 new coronavirus cases, and its most-infected county issues curfew.
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Jennifer A. Kingson
6 hours ago - Economy & Business

Markets swell as the economy shrinks

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

The economy is sputtering, but the markets are thriving — a highly unusual event that shows how the coronavirus has thrown all bets off.

Why it matters: The disconnect adds to the wealth gap. The richest 10% of households — who own 84% of stocks — are getting richer, while millions of out-of-work Americans cross their fingers that pandemic unemployment benefits will be extended.

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