Friday, October 30, 2009


Spooky thought: Where would we be without our supporters?
As we go into Halloween this weekend, we want to thank all of our sponsors, advertisers, and members, who make it possible for us to exist. Without all of you, we wouldn't be able to keep you updated on Southern California's high tech news and companies. Thanks in particular to: Sponsors Redpoint Ventures (www.redpoint.com). Backing Southern California's next great technology companies. Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com). Helping entrepreneurs succeed. (More info...)
posted on Friday, October 30, 2009(Full story)

Zag Hires New Products Director
Santa Monica-based Zag, the online auto buying site headed by Scott Painter, has hired on a Director of New Products, according to recruiting firm NeoHire. NeoHire said that Alexander Rosten has been hired into the position, joining Zag from Mota Motors, where he was Director of Analytics and Business Development. Rosten has also served at Google, Edmunds, and CarsDirect.com
posted on Friday, October 30, 2009(Full story)

Vitesse Names New Board Members
Camarillo-based Vitesse Semiconductor said Friday that it has appointed two new board members, as part of a debt restructuring deal. According to Vitesse, James Hugar and Grant Lyon replace Guy W. Adams, Robert A. Lundy, and Willow B. Shire, who have resigned in conjunction with the debt restructuring. Hugar was most recently at Deloitte & Touche LLP, and represents Imperial Capital Group. Lyon is president of Odyssey Capital Group, LLC, and has previously served at Hypercom, Ernst & Young Corpo (More info...)
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Amgen Sued By New York, 14 Other States
Thousand Oaks-based biotech giant Amgen is the subject of a lawsuit being filed by New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, along with 14 other states, claiming that the biotech firm created a kickback scheme to boost drug sales. According to Cuomo, the lawsuit, filed today in federal court, claims that Amgen, International Nephrology Network (INN), a specialty group purchasing organization, and ASD Healthcare, a wholesaler offered kickbacks to medical providers who increased sales of anemia d (More info...)
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Verdezyne Raises $2.96M
Carlsbad-based Verdezyne, which is developing technology to improve the fermentation process for biofuels, has raised $2.96M as part of a funding round, according to a regulatory filing from the firm Thursday afternoon. According to the filing, the funding is part of an ongoing $15.18M round. Monitor Ventures and OVP Venture Partners--prior investors in the firm--are listed as current board members. No details on the funding have been released by the firm, which was formerly known as CODA Genomi (More info...)
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ViaSat Passes Hurdle On WildBlue Acquisition
Carlsbad-based ViaSat, a developer of satellite and wireless communications systems, is reporting this morning that it has been granted an early termination by the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice on its Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust waiting period. ViaSat had said October 1st that it would pay $568M in cash and stock for Wildblue, a provider of satellite broadband services. ViaSat said the deal is still subject to other regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
posted on Friday, October 30, 2009(Full story)

Sometrics Names Bizdev VP
Los Angeles-based Sometrics, a developer of analytics tools for online game developers, announced today that it has appointed Steve Schepke as its Vice President of Business Development. Schepke was most recently Agency General Manager for Tsavo Media, and has also previously served at Commission Junction and Proceed Interactive. Sometrics is venture backed by Steamboat Ventures, The Mail Room Fund, AT&T, and Greycroft Partners.
posted on Friday, October 30, 2009(Full story)

Abraxis Founder Pledges $100M To Reopoen MLK Jr. Hospital
Patrick Soon-Shiong, the billionaire founder of Abraxis Bioscience, has committed $100M in underwriting guarantees to reopen Martin Luther King, Jr. hospital (MLK), his foundation announced this week. According to the Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation, it will provide a $100M guarantee, intended to improve the ability of Los Angeles County to obtain a $100M, irrevocable letter of credit to help fund the renovation, reopening, and staffing of the hospital. Soon-Shiong has an estimated net worth (More info...)
posted on Friday, October 30, 2009(Full story)