Biotech sector still hot despite cooling economy

Dec 27, 2022
The pandemic led to an explosion of interest in and funding of biotech. That continues even as many sectors slow and recession fears grow.
A sign on Oyster Point Boulevard calls South San Francisco the birthplace of biotech.
Beth LaBerge/KQED

The free market is failing us on antibiotics

Dec 22, 2022
The free market is pretty simple: There’s supply, there’s demand, they meet somewhere in the middle. If there’s a need, there’s a product. But sometimes, that system breaks down, as it has in the market for antibiotics.
Above, a pharmacist measures out antibiotic pills. Only a handful of biotechs are currently developing new antibiotics.  
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

What to (maybe) expect when you're expecting fertility biotech

Feb 15, 2022
In her new co-authored book, "The Genesis Machine," futurist Amy Webb walks readers through an imagined reproductive technology center.
Morsa Images/Getty Images

How much will a coronavirus vaccine cost?

Jul 17, 2020
Pricing on the open market is opaque, one expert says. Ultimately, the cost is anyone's guess.
A researcher works on a vaccine for COVID-19 at the Copenhagen University research lab in Denmark in March.
Thibault Savary/AFP via Getty Images

Will the Theranos scandal put a damper on medical tech investing?

Jun 19, 2018
It's become a cautionary tale for biotech investors. Are they heeding it?
Elizabeth Holmes speaks during the closing session of the Clinton Global Initiative 2015 in New York City.
JP Yim/Getty Images

How does an agriculture giant like Monsanto respond to climate change?

Jan 5, 2017
Monsanto will report earnings today. One of the biggest factors for the agricultural giant’s business is how it responds to climate change. The company has invested in things like weather analysis and biotech to help farmers grow crops in the face of changing weather patterns. But climate change is an issue for Monsanto, too.  Click […]

One rare-disease biotech company buys another

May 7, 2015
Alexion, which has one drug on the market, is purchasing Synageva, which has none.

For public good, not for profit.

Nasdaq'ed: tech slide continues

Apr 11, 2014
It was a rough week for tech and bio-tech stocks.

Google announces new biotech company that will study human aging

Sep 19, 2013
The tech giant aims to study the biology behind the process of aging.

A new supermaterial called nanocellulose

Apr 22, 2013
Researchers at the University of Texas are working on a way to produce mass quantities of nanocellulose -- a non-toxic construction and engineering material that's strong, saves trees, and could help reduce greenhouse gases.