by The Editors on October 6, 2007
For the past 45 years R&D Magazine has released its annual R&D 100 Awards, which “recognizes the best in innovation—on a global scale.” This year, Carlsbad-based Invitrogen won an award in the Life Sciences (.PDF link) for their Qubit Quantitation Platform.
The Qubit Quantitation Platform provides a new level of accuracy, speed, and sensitivity for the detection of these biologically important molecules. It provides an order of magnitude improvement in quantitation over conventional technologies, leading to fewer experiment failures, more efficient research programs, and more streamlined product development.
So the next time we’re doing some serious DNA, RNA, or protein counting we’ll know who to turn to: our friends at Invitrogen.
[Link: R&D Magazine via The Motley Fool]
by The Editors on October 4, 2007
Our favorite Carlsbad-based “biopharmaceutical company” ISIS announced today that the test results from their new ISIS 301012, a drug designed to lower bad cholesterol in patients who suffer from “hypercholesterolemia or HeFH,” suggest that it provided “meaningful reductions in Lp(a).” And apparently, this is a good thing
According to Evan Stein, a principal investigator for the studies, the performance of ISIS 301012 continues to be extremely encouraging . . . ISIS 301012 reduces the production of apoB-100, a protein critical to the synthesis and transport of “bad” cholesterol and a target that has proved to be undruggable using traditional, small-molecule approaches.
The stock today, however, was trading down.
[Link: ISIS Pharm via RTTnews]
by The Editors on October 4, 2007
According to the North County Times San Diego’s five congressional delegates have gotten together and sent a letter California Coastal Commission begging them to approve the Carlsbad Desalination Plant when they meet Nov. 15, 2007 on the project.
The letter states that the plant would enable the county to “pursue a water diversification strategy” to complement conservation and reclamation efforts. It was signed by Darrell Issa, R-Vista; Brian Bilbray, R-Solana Beach; Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon; Bob Filner, D-San Diego; and Susan Davis, R-San Diego. . . It also suggests that the plant would reduce pressure on the state’s imported water system.
We would like the idea so much more if it wasn’t in our backyard. How about making it part of the Ponto Vision Plan?
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on October 3, 2007
We all know that Germany is famous for its beer, however, they also have some great wines. And that wine will be highlighted as The Wine Spot hosts their own version of Oktoberfest this weekend (October 5-7). Stop by Friday from 4-8 PM, Saturday from 1-8 PM and Sunday 1-5 PM for some great German wine (and beer) and some complimentary German fare. . . we’ve been meaning to check this out, so maybe this week we’ll stop by 2801 Roosevelt St. on our way to the Carlsbad Rotary’s Oktoberfest in Holiday Park.
[Link: The Wine Spot]
by The Editors on October 3, 2007
Carlsbad-based real estate developer Russell “Rusty” Grosse, who was “instrumental in creating the YMCA Aquatic Park in Carlsbad and who has hosted (with his wife Bebe) the annual Magical Evening fundraiser for the Women’s Resource Center for 27 years is being inducted into the Oceanside High School Hall of Fame this year at a ceremony on October 20, 2007.
. . . a 1953 graduate and an inductee in business, [Grosse] practiced law in Oceanside before founding Foursquare Properties Inc., a company that has developed large housing, retail, industrial and office projects throughout the western United States, including several in Oceanside.
We’re usually not big fans of developers, however, Rusty is one of the most personable, kind, generous guys in the business and Carlsbadistan should be proud. . . even if Oceanside is giving him the award.
[Link: San Diego Union Tribune]
by The Editors on October 2, 2007
According to a post on Exportlawblog.com, the Carlsbad-based life sciences company Invitrogen has agreed to a settlement of $30,000 with the Bureau of Industry and Security for “three shipments and one attempted shipment of human leukocyte antigen tissue typing trays to Syria without a license.”
The shipments and attempted shipments had been made, and voluntarily disclosed, by Dynal Biotech, which Invitrogen acquired in 2005. The charging documents allege that these shipments and alleged shipments violate General Order No. 2 of Part 736 of the Export Administration Regulations which forbids exports of all items “except food and medicine” to Syria.
Exportlawblog.com goes on to say that by the letter of the law Dynal Biotech did nothing wrong, as tissue typing trays are clearly medical equipment that is included in the export exclusions. It was, however, cheaper to settle than to fight. . . and apparently much smarter from a business perspective.
[Link: Exportlawblog.com]
by The Editors on October 2, 2007
And another story from the “Carlsbad science companies we don’t understand” file:
Invitrogen Corporation, a provider of essential life science technologies for research, production and diagnostics, announced today it has entered into a licensing agreement with Natural Selection, Inc. to make new microRNA sequences available to researchers. This agreement enables Invitrogen to provide the most comprehensive human and mouse microRNA arrays on the market.
Oddly, Natural Selection, Inc. (a sophisticated computational intelligence algorithms company) is heavily involved in the “defense” industry if you know what we mean. It’s all a mystery to us.
[Link: Bioresearch Online]
by The Editors on October 1, 2007
For the past 55 years if you wanted to stroll the streets of Carlsbad (or hang out in a public park) with an open container it was perfectly legal. Later this month, according to a Barbara Henry story in the North County Times, all that is going to change.
For the first time in Carlsbad’s 55-year history, the city will prohibit the possession of open containers of alcohol on sidewalks, streets and other public areas in the downtown, except in fenced “beer garden” areas at street festivals or other special events.
And guess who was behind this new ordinance? Carlsbad’s bar owners. Interesting, huh?
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on September 28, 2007
In its past Carlsbadistan has rarely seen developments that were designed for anything more than maximum density (and profit) for the builder. Finally, with a project called Bluwater Crossing, the idea of urban designed live/work loft space close to the beach and public transportation is being realized in the empty land near the Poinsettia Coaster Station. We haven’t seen the complete designs, however, in concept we believe this is exactly what Carlsbadistan could use much more of.
Bluwater will feature 13 buildings with 78 distinctive residential units, 21,700 square feet of commercial/retail space; a 3,600-square-foot day-care center; 151 stalls in a subterranean garage for residents and day-care employees; and 107 parking stalls for retail customers and guests. . . Its exclusive live-work units are perfect for small businesses and professionals who want to eliminate commutes by working from home.
According to the North County Times, Trammell Crow Residential of Costa Mesa broke ground on Thursday, September 27, 2007 and hope to have the complex finished in “early 2009.” For information on buying into Bluwater Crossing click here.
[Link: Bluwater Crossing via North County Times]
by The Editors on September 28, 2007
In a letter to board members of Orange 21 the Carlsbad-based parent company of Spy Optic, Thesis Capital LLC (a New York City-based “institutional investor and beneficial shareholder in the company”) suggested that the company should be put up for sale because if sold its would be worth much more than the $4.96 at which the stock currently trades.
“We believe that through a sale process, the Company would be valued in excess of $7.00 per share conservatively assuming the median price-to-sales of recent optics transactions.”
Follow the link for the entire letter and maybe you can help us figure out if this is anything more than a simple ploy to run up the stock price.
[Link: Trading Markets]
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