Amgen deals could foster biotech hub, panel says
Amgen’s decision to license some of its intellectual property to a new drug company that will operate near the biotechnical giant’s Thousand Oaks headquarters could be an exciting development for biotech firms in the 101 corridor, business leaders were told at a breakfast gathering Wednesday in Westlake Village. The move could be a start toward Read More →
Fielding chief to retire
Richard Meyers will retire from his post as president of Fielding Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara at the end of next year. He announced at the school’s Nov. 3 board of trustees meeting that he will not seek to extend his contract, which is set to expire in December 2013. “My vision has been to Read More →
PacWest to buy First California for $231M
Los Angeles-based PacWest Bancorp is buying First California Financial Group for $231 million in an all-stock deal. At $8 per share, PacWest’s price represents an 18.5 percent premium over First California’s share price at the close on Nov. 6. The deal also comes after months of tense negotiations between the rival banks. PacWest offered $7.25 Read More →
Rollins: South Coast a fertile field for cloud computing
Cloud computing companies are remaking the technology landscape of the Tri-Counties and creating a “fertile” environment for entrepreneurs and computer scientists. That was the message serial entrepreneur and investor Woody Rollins brought to about 150 area executives on Nov. 6 as California Lutheran University hosted the first Santa Barbara version of its successful Corporate Leaders Read More →
Mindbody investment tops $60M
San Luis Obispo-based Mindbody raised $35 million in a new venture capital round on Nov. 1, bringing its total raised to date to more than $60 million. The company makes online software for the owners of health and wellness businesses such as yoga studios and fitness centers. After compiling what it says is the largest Read More →
Ventura visitor’s bureau names new executive director
After several months of searching for a new executive director, the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau named Marlyss Auster to the top post. Auster replaces Brian Pendleton, who has been the bureau’s interim director since the beginning of October. The search for a new executive director began in July, when longtime director Jim Luttjohann resigned Read More →
