Business

Watertown Biotech Company Seeks to Create Coronavirus Treatment

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The following announcement was sent out by Watertown-based Enanta Pharmaceuticals:

Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENTA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to creating small molecule drugs for viral infections and liver diseases, today announced that it has initiated a program to discover direct-acting antiviral drug candidates for the treatment of patients infected with the novel coronavirus COVID-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2. The company is leveraging its years of expertise in virology, including its discovery work on two approved protease inhibitors – paritaprevir and glecaprevir – for use against hepatitis C virus (HCV), its development of a candidate for hepatitis B virus (HBV), and most importantly, its development of candidates for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV), to explore approaches against this pandemic health threat. Enanta is taking a two-pronged approach to its COVID-19 discovery efforts. It is testing compounds from its antiviral compound library for potential activity against COVID-19. It is also initiating a drug discovery program using its expertise in direct-acting antiviral mechanisms to discover new candidates to treat COVID-19.

Around Town

State Announces Resources to Help Small Businesses During the Coronavirus Outbreak

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State and federal officials sent out the following information about assistance for small businesses during the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), including information on loans, layoff prevention and emergency contacts. Massachusetts state officials sent out the following information:

1 – Resources for the Business Community: COVID-1 MEMA’s Emergency Operations Center’s Private Sector Hotline

The hotline will be staffed Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.The number for the hotline is 508-820-2094. 2 – Small Business Recovery Loan Fund – https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/what-we-offer/emergency-loan-funds/covid-19-loan-fund

$10 million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund, administered by Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC), to provide emergency capital up to $75,000 to Massachusetts-based businesses impacted by COVID-19 with under 50 full- and part-time employees, including nonprofits.This fund is being offered with no payments due for the first 6 months, then 30-months of principal and interest payments and no prepayment penalties (annual interest rate of 3.0%). 3 – Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program – https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-resources-and-guidance-for-businesses

EIDL offers Massachusetts businesses who are experiencing hardships resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak access up to $2M in emergency loan capital with rates capped at 3.75%.We are currently working with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to activate the EIDL program. We will update this group when the program formally opens.Businesses can learn more about the SBA’s response to COVID-19 here: https://www.sba.gov/page/guidance-businesses-employers-plan-respond-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

3 – Governor Baker’s Emergency Order (3/15) limiting gatherings to 25 individuals and prohibiting on-premises consumption of food or drink at bars and restaurants, beginning on March 17 and effective until April 6.

Business

See Which Watertown Restaurants are Offering Take Out or Delivery

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With Gov. Baker’s order to close restaurants, they will be one of the hardest hit during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The vast majority of Watertown restaurants remain open for take out, and many also deliver. Many restaurants around town put up messages on social media or on their websites. Food delivery apps such as Grubhub or DoorDash offer delivery from many places around town. If you know of others, please send information to watertownmanews@gmail.com or leave a comment below.

Business

Watertown Dance Studio, Personal Trainer Hosting Virtual Classes in Response to Coronavirus

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Two local businesses announced they will be holding video classes during the Coronavirus outbreak. The owners of Ballroom in Boston and Get Lively sent out the following announcement:

Due to the National Emergency and the need to temporarily cancel most fitness and dance classes, Ballroom in Boston and Get Lively will be doing their best to keep you active and feeling lively during this challenging time. Over the next two weeks, they’ll be exploring various ways to offer online videos, classes, and programming to keep you moving and smiling while the studios are closed. Virtual personal training and private dance lessons are now available for booking with a variety of video call and conferencing platforms available for you to use. (Contact information below to book your session!)

Ballroom in Boston will be offering free daily programming on their Facebook page, including:

● 11:30am Kids Dance Class ● 2:00pm Daily Dose of Dance (fun for all ages!) ● 6:00pm Dance Date Night

Get Lively® will also be offering a variety of free programming via the “Lively Lounge” Facebook group listed below.

Real Estate

A Trio of Home Sales in Watertown This Week

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Three properties sold in Watertown this week. $862,500 – 60 Quincy St. Unit 60, Condo – Townhouse, 2,710 Living Area Sq. Ft., 6 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full & 1 Half Bathroom

$630,000 – 764 Belmont St., Single Family – Detached Ranch, 1,344 Living Area Sq. Ft., 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 1 Full & 1 Half Bathroom

Sponsored by:

$980,000 – 60-62 Gilbert St., Multi-family Home – 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down, 2,599 Living Area Sq.

Real Estate

See the Open Houses Around Watertown This Weekend

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Open houses will be held around Watertown this weekend. $689,900 – 383 School St. Unit 383, Condo – 2/3 Family, 1,908 Living Area Sq. Ft., 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$899,000 – 10 Winsor Ave., Single Family – Detached Colonial, 2,859 Living Area Sq. Ft., 11 Room, 6 Bedroom, 2 Full & 1 Half Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 12-1:30

$448,900 – 37 Copeland St., Single Family – Detached Bungalow, 1,118 Living Area Sq.