July 19, 2013

Business Digest July 19, 2013

BRIEFS

Chiropractors Daniel Knowles and Richelle Knowles along with colleague Katie Ray have published a case study on scoliosis and chiropractic care. The study, titled “Reduction of a Lumbar Scoliosis & Improved Cervical Curve in a Geriatric Patient Following Network Spinal Analysis Care: A Case Study” was published in the June 10 “Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research.” Dr. Daniel Knowles is a 1996 Sherman College graduate and a member of the college’s board of trustees; Dr. Richelle Knowles is a 1999 Sherman graduate. Since 1999 they have owned and run a private practice in Boulder.

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Boulder-based biotech Siva Therapeutics Inc. generated positive results in a study using the company’s SivaRods photothermal therapy to treat melanoma in mice. In the study, significant decreases in tumor volume and increased survival, relative to control animals, were seen, according to the Boulder-based company. The SivaRods photothermal therapy approach eliminates the use of lasers, a significant factor for both safety and simplicity of treatment, according to a company statement. The dosing of both SivaRods polymer-coated nanorods and the infrared light was very low compared to published studies – a factor attributable to the high efficiency of conversion of light into heat by the nanorods. Siva recently filed a document with the FDA outlining Siva’s plan to market the medical device. The process includes a meeting with the FDA over the next few months to review next steps and development plans.

The city of Boulder has approved Sterling-Rice Group for up to $55,000 in rebates for sales and use taxes, and permit-related fees. The marketing firm is expanding beyond its fourth-floor space at One Boulder Plaza in downtown Boulder into a total of 39,500 square feet, including a street-level presence on the first floor 1801 13th St. The new space will include a test kitchen, mobile workspaces, convertible conference rooms, high-tech audio visual room and 3-D printing capabilities. Through this program, the city manager may consider a specific incentive package for tax and fee rebates to meet a company’s specific needs. The company is then eligible for the rebate after it has made its investment and paid the taxes or fees to the city. Sterling-Rice is the first company to receive rebates in 2013, drawing from $350,000 allocated for flexible tax and fee rebates for primary employers.

CONTRACTS

Broomfield-based Corgenix Medical Corp. (OTC BB: CONX), a developer and marketer of diagnostic test kits, signed a 10-year contract with Knoxville, Tennessee-based EDP Biotech Corp. to manufacture and supply the ColoMarker diagnostic test, a blood test developed to detect the early stages of colon cancer. ColoMarker requires no advance preparation by the patient such as fasting or colon cleansing and can be added to the panel of blood tests routinely performed at a patient’s annual physical. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Boulder-based BI Inc. is the exclusive master distributor of the Soberlink SL2, a handheld device, both cellular and GPS enabled, that allows community corrections agencies to monitor offender sobriety in the community.

Kaiser Permanente purchased 528 fruit boxes from Louisville-based Door to Door Organics to be delivered to more than 100 state offices. Kaiser Permanente insurance company is paying for the fruit boxes as part of the Cafewell employee wellness program. Employees who participate in the wellness program can receive a credit of up to $20 per month toward their health-insurance premiums.

Boulder-based condom maker Sir Richards Condom Co. will be sold nationwide in CVS (NYSE: CVS) drug stores and Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) stores. Sir Richard’s products will become available in more than 11,000 locations across the United States and United Kingdom, up from approximately 1,000 in 2012.

Boulder-based Keen One Foods LLC will begin selling its quinoa products at REI stores at the end of July. Keen One packages quinoa – the small round grains used similarly to rice – in pouches to which boiling water can be added. Such packaging is often popular with backpackers looking to make simple meals outdoors. Outdoor gear and clothing retailer Recreational Equipment Inc., or REI, is based in Kent, Washington. Also, Keen One is waiting for final approval on a $22,400 loan from Whole Foods Market Inc. (Nasdaq: WFM) to buy new machinery to streamline its manufacturing process.

Drug-store chain Walgreens will integrate Boulder-based LifePics Inc.’s photograph printing operations and services into its QuickPrints technology at more than 8,000 stores. LifePics Network will provide consumers with one-hour photo prints online ordered through mobile devices or from LifePics-powered websites for in-store pickup in an hour. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Niwot-based Boulder Brands Inc. bought an 80 percent stake in GlucoBrands LLC, the owner of the Level Life Foods brand, which sells food gels to help manage diabetes. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed between Boulder Brands (NYSE: BDBD) and Highlands Ranch-based GlucoBrands. Boulder Brands plans to launch four food bars and four shake products under the Level Life label, the company said in a press statement. Level Life products are at about $1 million in annual sales, according to the press statement. GlucoBrands co-founder Peter Noverr will be vice president of Level Life. All four Level Life employees will move to the Boulder Brands offices.

SERVICES

Boulder-based BiOptix Diagnostics Inc. is collaborating with the Biophysics Shared Resource Core Facility at the University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus. The collaboration is offering low-cost surface plasmon resonance services for Colorado-based researchers on the new BiOptix 404pi, a next-generation surface plasmon resonance platform designed and built in Colorado. The BiOptix 404pi provides label-free analysis of protein-protein kinetics as well as protein-small molecule interactions. Surface plasmon resonance is an optical technology that measures refractive index changes on a sensor chip’s gold surface due to a change in mass that occurs during a binding event.

Deadline to submit items for Business Digest is three weeks prior to publication of each biweekly issue. Mail to Editor, Boulder County Business Report, 3180 Sterling Circle, Suite 201, Boulder, CO 80301-2338; fax to 303-440-8954; or email to news@bcbr.com with Business Digest in the subject line. Photos submitted will not be returned.

BRIEFS

Chiropractors Daniel Knowles and Richelle Knowles along with colleague Katie Ray have published a case study on scoliosis and chiropractic care. The study, titled “Reduction of a Lumbar Scoliosis & Improved Cervical Curve in a Geriatric Patient Following Network Spinal Analysis Care: A Case Study” was published in the June 10 “Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research.” Dr. Daniel Knowles is a 1996 Sherman College graduate and a member of the college’s board of trustees; Dr. Richelle Knowles is a 1999 Sherman graduate. Since 1999 they have owned and run a private practice in Boulder.

Vuka Intelligent Energy drinks are available in…

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