Friday, April 4, 2008Entropic Buys Vativ TechnologiesSan Diego-based Entropic Communications said Friday that it has acquired Vativ Technologies, a fabless semiconductor firm focused on the digital signal processing market. According to Entropic, it paid $5.9M in cash for Vativ, and also assumed $1M in debt. Entropic said that it hired 17 employees from Vativ as part of the asset purchase. Vativ develops digital signal processing chips for the networking, HD and digital TV market; the San Diego firm had raised over $37.0M in venture funding from i (More info...)
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Buzznet Acquires Music Blog StereogumLos Angeles-based Buzznet said Friday morning that it has completed its acquisition of music blog Stereogum. Financial terms of the acquisition were not given. Stereogum operates an online blog covering music and entertainment. According to Buzznet, the acquisition is a "natural next step" in its strategy to expand its music coverage. Buzznet said, along with the acquisition, that Scott Lapatine, who founded Stereogum in 2003, will continue to oversee the blog. As part of the acquisition, Buzzne (More info...)
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Diodes Buys Zetex In $176M DealDallas-based Diodes, Inc., which maintains its sales, marketing, engineering, and logistics offices in Westlake Village, said Friday that it has entered into a deal to acquire Zetex plc, a manufacturer of discrete and analog semiconductor products, in a $176M deal. Diodes said that the acquisition of United Kingdom-based Zetex will create a $528M firm, and expand its portfolio in the industrial and automotive markets, along with increasing its customer footprint in Europe. Diodes is a manufactur (More info...)
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Adooga Launches Contest Search EngineLos Angeles-based ADOOGA said this week that it has launched a new, online search engine which catalogs interactive talent contests. The new company said it is focused on finding talent contests for photographers, filmmakers, musicians and writers and others. The new firm's founder is Perrin Chiles, who was previously a venture capitalist for both Silver Lake Partners and Elevation Partners. Chiles has also previously served at Wachovia Securities' Technology Investment Banking Group. Chiles' pa (More info...)
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Fox Interactive Media Creates Advertising NetworkLos Angeles-based Fox Interactive Media said late Thursday evening that it has created a new advertising network, focused on its own web sites and third party publishers. According to FIM, the new unit, Fox Interactive Media Audience Network, will be headed by Adam Bain, formerly the firm's EVP of Technology and Production. The new unit will be based out of Santa MOnica. According to FIM, the new unit will combine its advertising technology, ad operaitons, and performance sales efforts; the unit (More info...)
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Abraxis BioScience Acquires Two Biotech FirmsAbraxis BioScience said Friday morning that it has acquired two biotech companies, Shimoda Biotech (Pty) Ltd and its subsidiary, Platco Technologies (Pty) Ltd. Shimoda Biotech develops new pharmaceutical products based on off-patent compounds; Platco develops platinum-based anti-cancer drugs. The deal was worth $15M plus unspecified future earn out. Abraxis BioScience is a biopharmaceuticals firm whose products include ABRAXANE, which is used for treating metastatic breast cancer.
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International Rectifier Names EVP, COOEl Segundo-based International Rectifier, which develops power management ICs, said Thursday afternoon that it has appointed a new Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Michael Barrow. Barrow joins the firm from Amkor, where he was the firm's Senior Vice President and General Manager of its Flip Chip and Wafer Level Packaging Business Unit. Barrow also served at Intel and Unisys. Barrow will report to CEO Oleg Khaykin.
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SkinMedica Names New CEOSan Diego-based SkinMedica said last night that it has hired on Mary M. Fisher as the firm's new CEO. Fisher joins the firm from Acorda Therapeutics, where she was chief Operating Officer. Fisher has also served at Cephalon, Immunex, and Boehringer Ingelheim. Current SkinMedia CEO Rex Bright will continue on as President of the firm and as a member of the company's board of directors. SkinMedica develops biopharmaceuticals for the dermatology market; the firm is venture backed by Apax Partners, (More info...)
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