Monday, February 4, 2008


Traversa Therapeutics Gets $2M
La Jolla-based Traversa Therapeutics said late Monday morning that it has raised $2M in a Series A funding from the Tech Coast Angels, along with Mesa Verde Venture Partners and Morningside Group. Traversa is developing RNAi delivery technologies. According to Traversa, the lead investor on the deal was the San Diego Tech Coast Angels' Franois Ferre, who is currently co-CEO of Althea Technologies. Dan Wood of Mesa Verde and Roger Flugel of Sanderling are now observors on the firm's board. Traver (More info...)
posted on Monday, February 4, 2008 (More)(Full story)

Accruent Buys FAMIS Software
Santa Monica-based Accruent said Monday that it has acquired FAMIS Software, an Irvine-based provider of software for facilities management. Financial terms of the all-cash deal were not disclosed. According to Accruent, the combined companies will provide software that manages real estate and facilities management, from market planning to administration and operational management. The combined firm will have more than 400 active customers.
posted on Monday, February 4, 2008(Full story)

Interview with Jim Brailean, CEO of PacketVideo
There's been a lot of attention given lately to the smart phone market, between Apple's iPhone and Google's Android project, so we thought it would be interesting to talk to one of the companies in the space, San Diego-based PacketVideo. PacketVideo (www.pv.com) develops mobile software for multimedia, and has significant footprint in the handset market, so we thought it would be great to learn more about the dynamics of the handset software industry. We spoke with PV's CEO and co-founder, Jim B (More info...)
posted on Monday, February 4, 2008(Full story)

Teledyne Completes Judson Technologies Acquisition
Thousand Oaks-based Teledyne Technologies said this morning that it has completed its acquisition of the assets of Judson Technologies, LLC. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Judson was a designer and manufacturer of high performance infrared detectors, and was based in Montgomeryville, Pa. The deal was originally announced on January 2nd. Judson manufactures infrared detectors using Mercury Cadmium Telluride (HgCdTe), Indium Antimonide (InSb), and Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) (More info...)
posted on Monday, February 4, 2008(Full story)

Napster Launches Services In Chile
Los Angeles-based Napster said Monday that it has launched its mobile music services in Chile, along with Ericsson. According to Napster and Ericsson, they have launched Napster's mobile music service with Entel PCS, using Ericsson's platform. Financial impact of the deal was not disclosed. Ericsson will provide systems integration and day-to-day management, development, and operation of the service. Entel PCS has 5.5 million subscribers in Latin America.
posted on Monday, February 4, 2008(Full story)

Goowy Acquired by AOL
San Diego-based Goowy, which develops online, Web 2.0-style sharing applications, said late last night that it has been acquired by AOL. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Goowy's web services allow users to create widgets, and also access email, calendars, and other productivity applications. Goowy will become a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL's products division. Goowy was founded in 2004, and was venture backed by Mark Cuban. The firm was headed by Alex Bard.
posted on Monday, February 4, 2008(Full story)

Sonexa Therapeutics Raises $30M
San Diego-based Sonexa Therapeutics said last week that the firm has raised $30M in a Series A funding. The round came from Domain Associates, Scale Venture Partners, and Alta Partners, and also included AgeChem Venture Fund and MC Life Science Ventures. Sonexa is developing biopharmaceuticals focused on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The firm's compounds are based on technology licensed from a Japanese pharmaceutical company. According to Sonexa, the proceeds from the funding will go to (More info...)
posted on Monday, February 4, 2008 (More)(Full story)

THQ Adds CFO
Agoura Hills-based computer game publisher THQ said today that it has appointed a new CFO. THQ said that Colin Slade has become Executive Vice President and CFO of the firm, joining the company from Tektronix, where he was Senior Vice President and CFO. Slade served as CFO at Tektronix since 2000 up until the firm's acquisition by Danaher Corp in November. Slade has also worked at Graphic Software Systems and PricewaterhouseCoopers, and serves on the board of AMI Semiconductor.
posted on Monday, February 4, 2008(Full story)

Ortiva Hires Zionts As CEO
La Jolla-based Ortiva Wireless, a developer of products for managing mobile video, said today that it has hired Marc J. Zionts as CEO of the firm. Zionts joins the company from FastMobile, which was recently acquired by Research in Motion. Zionts has also previously served as CEO of Cantata Technology, CEO of Westell Technologies, and founder and EVP of Communicate Direct, among other firms. Ortiva is venture backed by Artiman Ventures, Avalon Ventures, Comcast Interactive Capital, and Mission V (More info...)
posted on Monday, February 4, 2008(Full story)

Peregrine Semi Adds To Board
San Diego-based Peregrine Semiconductor said today that the firm has appointed Jeffrey Belk to the firm's board of directors. Belk previously served at Qualcomm, where he was Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, among a number of other executive roles. He's currently at ICT168 Capital, and has also previously been at Prixma Corporation. Peregrine Semiconductor designs high performance semiconductors for the wireless, broadband, and other markets.
posted on Monday, February 4, 2008 (More)(Full story)