Life Sciences

PLC Systems, the Milford-based medical device company that focuses on technology for cardiac and vascular care, saw its revenue skyrocket 88 percent in the first half of 2013, the company said today.

Westborough-based biotechnology startup RXi Pharmaceuticals saw positive progression in the second quarter ended June 30, narrowing its losses compared to last year while gaining revenue and improving its cash position.

Boston Scientific is offering more than $1 billion in debt notes to help pay earlier debt that was borrowed at a higher interest rate, the Natick-based medical device manufacturer announced.

As clinical trials continue for its macular degeneration treatment, Marlborough-based Advanced Cell Technology reported falling revenue and greater losses in the second quarter.

Continuing to ride high on the commercial launch of its Ventricular Assist System, HeartWare International, which makes technologies that treat heart disease, saw its revenue and profits soar in the second quarter.

Laboratory equipment manufacturer Waters Corp. of Milford has acquired Nonlinear Dynamics, a U.K.-based maker of proteomics and metabolomics analysis software that it has been working with on a product for nearly two years, according to the two companies.

Holliston-based Harvard Bioscience reported an 8.4-percent drop in revenue for its second quarter, as well as a net loss of $186,000. That marked a $962,000-turnaround after the life sciences manufacturer turned a $774,000 profit in the same quarter last year.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute has selected a Utah State University professor and internationally recognized leader in biotechnology education, research and workforce development programs to lead WPI's Biomanufacturing Education and Training Center (BETC), the university announced today.

The parent group of Lonza Biologics will lay off most of its approximately 300 workers at its Hopkinton plant this year and gradually reduce operations there as part of cost reductions by the Switzerland-based pharmaceutical supplier.

The Venture Forum (TVF), a Worcester-based organization that supports technology and life sciences entrepreneurs, is accepting business plan entries for its 2013 Business Plan Contest (BPC) this fall.