San Diego, CA

Boston Micro Fabrication Launches Spinout in San Diego – San Diego Business Journal

Published

2 years ago

May 16, 2024

Boston Micro Fabrication Launches Spinout in San Diego – San Diego Business Journal

SAN DIEGO – Precision micro-printing provider Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF) has launched San Diego-based BMF Biotechnology Inc., a spinout dedicated to making specialized chips through cultivated large-scale tissues in vitro, helping accelerate new drug and cosmetic development.

Jennifer Sun
Chief Scientific Officer
BMF Biotechnology Inc.

“BMF Biotechnology’s BioChips allow scientists to grow human-like tissues in a lab setting and because these chips mimic how substances would be processed inside the body, scientists can use them to test drugs and cosmetic products,” BMF Biotechnology Chief Scientific Officer Jennifer Sun told the Business Journal.

“These microfluidic chips are an organ-on-a-chip platform, which can replicate the physiological conditions found in the human body by controlling the flow of small amounts of fluid through micro-size channels.”

Founded in 2016, BMF says it supports more than 2,000 customers globally with offices in Boston, China, Japan and now in San Diego.

“BMF has raised over $80M in investment funding, including $24M in 2023,” added Sun. “We have over 250 employees worldwide with global revenue growth exceeding 30% in 2023.”

Wanting to be housed in San Diego’s vibrant biotech ecosystem, the company’s San Diego Research Institute was born in 2022. The newly launched biotech division will operate out of Carroll Canyon with ten or so employees to start.

Preliminary feedback has yielded promising results, says BMF.

“Specifically, significant progress has been made in terms of developing functional prototypes of the BMF Biotechnology’s BioChip, validating their efficacy in replicating human tissue models accurately,” shared Sun. “Furthermore, preliminary tests have shown encouraging outcomes of disease modeling and validating human drug responses.”

BMF is entering an arena of competitors like MIMETAS and InSphero – working to commercialize organ-on-a-chip technology. Sun says its product stands apart.

“Our BioChip platform offers distinctive features, including a micro-channel network designed to mimic blood vessels with micron level three dimensional features. This network ensures efficient nutrient delivery and waste removal throughout the chip, enabling the comprehensive replication of human tissues on a large scale.”

Hybrid Printing Solution

In recent years, micro molding and 3D printing innovations have swept the micro-manufacturing world, advancing how production companies do business.

New England-based BMF’s core tech enables highly precise, micro-scale 3D printing across industries like healthcare, life sciences, electronics and machining.

“3D printing has often been known for its ability to rapidly iterate on product design, but this same benefit can also be applied to developing custom, high-precision solutions that advance research in other ways – such as through pharmaceutical development,” said Sun. Now the industry is trending toward miniaturization. “As products and technology get smaller, the connective parts become micro and more intricate. There is an urgent need for highly precise and accurate manufacturing methods that allow engineers and product designers to consistently create small-scale parts with the precision, resolution and accuracy needed to move industries forward.”

This month, BMF announced what it calls the industry’s first line of hybrid printing solutions for micro-scale and ultra high-resolution applications that allow the user to print two resolutions within a single layer or in different layers.

“Our driving motivation for innovation has been to offer new platforms that can help realize high-value applications for 3D printing,” said BMF CEO-Global John Kawola. “Increasingly, we have been pushed by our customers to bring our technology to applications where higher precision and tighter tolerances would result in an overall increase in quality and performance, regardless of part size.”

It comes after another big win for the company. Last year it launched what it deems the world’s thinnest cosmetic dental veneer, UltraThineer™. This April, BMF secured FDA 510(k) clearance on the material.

“As we think about the future for BMF Biotechnology, we anticipate expanding our product portfolio to address a wider range of therapeutic areas and applications, revolutionizing the way drugs are developed and tested,” Sun added. “Our goal is to be a globally recognized leader in organ-on-a-chip technology, driving transformative advancements in drug discovery, cosmetic development, toxicity testing, and personalized medicine to improve human health and safety.”

Boston Micro Fabrication
FOUNDED: 2016 in Boston, San Diego Research Institute in 2022
CEO: John Kawola
LOCAL DIVISION HQ: San Diego
EMPLOYEES: 10 in San Diego; 200+ globally
BUSINESS: biotech
CAPITAL RAISED: $80 million
WEBSITE: bmf3d.com
CONTACT: info@bmf3d.com
NOTABLE: BMF was named one of the Boston Business Journal’s “Fast 50” companies, an annual honor recognizing the 50 fastest-growing private companies in Massachusetts.

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San Diego, CA

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

Published

7 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

San Diego County is known for having wet, cold weather in February. But it had numerous hot spells this year. And when the month ended on Saturday a high pressure system produced heat that broke or tied temperature records in nine communities from the desert to the sea, the National Weather Service said.

The most notable temperature occurred in Borrego Springs, which reached 99, five degrees higher than the previous record for Feb. 28, set in 1986. The 99 reading is also the highest temperature ever recorded in Borrego in February.

Escondido reached 95, tying a record set in 1901.

El Cajon reached 92, three degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Ramona topped out at 88, five degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Alpine hit 88, four degrees higher the record set in 1986.

Campo reached 87, four degrees higher than the record set in 1999.

Vista hit 86, four degrees higher than the record set in 2020.

Chula Vista reached 84, one degree higher than the record set in 2020.

Lake Cuyamaca rose to 76, four degrees higher than the record set in 1986.

Forecasters say the weather is not likely to broadly produce new highs on Sunday. Cooler air is moving to the coast, and on Monday, San Diego’s high will only reach 67, a degree above normal.

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San Diego, CA

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

Published

19 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

OCEANSIDE — The Frontwave Arena scoreboard showed 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Up 16, Francis Parker’s win over Westview High School for the CIF San Diego Section Open Division girls basketball championship was secure.

“No, no, no!” Parker head coach Courtney Clements screamed to freshman guard Jordan Brown, telling her there was no need to score.

So Brown walked the ball up the floor, from the backcourt, across midcourt, a 1,000-watt smile etched across her face.

With no Wolverines defending her, Brown dribbled from side to side across the logo. Then, a fraction of a moment before the final buzzer sounded, Brown flung the basketball high toward the rafters, then was engulfed by teammates.

The job was complete. Parker’s first Open Division title in program history was secure, the final reading 66-50 on Saturday night.

Of those final seconds, said Brown, who scored 23 points. “It was a surreal moment, knowing we worked for this all year long. It’s amazing.”

One reason it was amazing was because the top-seeded Lancers (21-7) were a decided favorite, but were stressed by the sixth-seeded Wolverines (20-9). Led by UC Santa Barbara-bound senior guard Sarah Heyn (18 points in the first half), Westview led 35-28 early in the third quarter.

“I just knew I had to do whatever it took to win,” said Brown. “Whether that was defense or offense. I just wanted to win, period.”

Sparked by its defense, Parker closed the quarter on a 14-0 run. Westview’s final 11 possessions of the quarter ended with five missed shots and six turnovers.

Still, the game wasn’t over. Heyn cut the deficit to 48-44 with just over six minutes to play on a bucket. But with 5:47 to play, Heyn was whistled for her fifth foul on a reach-in.

“Knowing their best player fouled out, we sealed the win,” said Brown.

As for Heyn, who finished with 23 points, she sat on the bench and pulled her jersey over her eyes, hiding tears.

Clements’ thoughts when Heyn fouled out? “I hope we can put this game away now.”

Francis Parker High’s Jordan Brown shoots against Westview High during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

That the Lancers did, outscoring Westview 18-6 down the stretch.

The Lancers’ players and coach were effusive in their praise for Heyn, a four-year starter.

“She’s a great player,” said Brown.

“She played phenomenally,” said Clements. “She played the way you would think a senior would play in a championship game. She played desperately. She played every possession like it was the last 20 seconds of the game. She was extremely impressive. (Heyn buried five 3s, missing only once from deep.) She should be proud of herself.”

Clements was proud of her team for another reason. After blowing out two-time reigning Open Division champion Mission Hills by 26 in the semis, some thought Parker might cruise in the title game.

“I figured it was going to be a fight, and it was,” said Clements. “It was good that our girls had to come together, had to stick together. That’s what this is all about, developing character via the sport of basketball. When the kids face adversity, they have to make a decision. Who do they want to be? They showed the best version of themselves. That’s what I want to remember from a game like this.”

Francis Parker’s primary color is brown, which is fitting for the girls basketball team. They are led not only by the freshman Jordan Brown, but also junior Brieana Brown, a strong, aggressive and athletic 5-foot-11 wing.

Brieana Brown scored 25 points and yanked down a team-best eight rebounds.

About the team in brown being led by the Browns (who are not related), Jordan Brown said: “It’s super cool. I love Bri and our story. So many people think we’re related, that we’re siblings. In reality, we’re not, but we play like it.”

Francis Parker High's Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune) — Francis Parker High’s Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Francis Parker and Westview both will advance to the Southern California Regionals.

Earlier in the season, Clements — who was dressed in all black for the championship game — confessed she wasn’t crazy about Parker’s primary color. Her mood shifted Saturday night.

“Brown’s doing well for me now,” she said.

Asked if Lancers’ Brown squared tandem represents the best one-two girls basketball punch in the San Diego Section, Clements gave the questioner a “What do you think?” smirk.

“That,” said the coach of the Open Division champions, “is a no-brainer.”

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