Transforming plastics into fuel | Pfizer eyeing Seagen | Vouched lands $6.3M

Each year, more than 390 million metric tons of plastics are produced globally, yet close to half are single-use varieties that can be economically challenging to recycle.

• Now, recent research out of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory suggests a new method for cost-effectively upcycling these plastics, transforming them into fuel and other useful petroleum products. Read more. 

Onder is a new Seattle startup that provides homeowners with twice-yearly checkups to help identify different maintenance tasks.

• Former Expedia director David Krieger leads the company, which offers something similar to a routine medical physical or vehicle oil change — but for your home. Read more. 

Biopharma giant Pfizer is eyeing an acquisition of Seagen, the biggest biotech company in the Seattle area, according to The Wall Street Journal.

• Merck was reportedly in advanced talks last year with Seagen over an acquisition deal that could have been worth more than $40 billion. Seagen employs about 1,800 people in the Seattle area. Read more. 

Vouched, a Seattle startup that helps companies verify identity, raised $6.3 million.

• The startup, backed by the co-founders of Zulily, develops software to analyze images of photo identity documents including passports and driver’s license. Read more. 

When Anika Krishnan isn’t playing the violin with her band or board games with her family, she’s helping teens find volunteer opportunities through her nonprofit Treefish.

• The Seattle-area high school student recently added paid internships to the platform. Read more.