Amgen to pay $150M for misbranding Aranesp
[Editor’s note: This story has been updated with comments from Amgen.] Biotech giant Amgen pleaded guilty Dec. 18 to a misdemeanor charge for misbranding its anemia drug Aranesp. According to a report from Bloomberg News, the Thousand Oaks-based firm agreed to pay $150 million in fines and penalties as part of the guilty plea. U.S. Read More →
Lender sues Melchiori’s ex-wife
Heather Melchiori, the ex-wife of the embattled general contractor Mark Melchiori, faces a $1.3 million lawsuit from Rabobank alleging she failed to repay a business loan. Melchiori Construction Co. collapsed into bankruptcy in October after dozens of lawsuits from subcontractors alleging it did not pay them for work. The final blow was a $9 million Read More →
Amgen buys DeCode Genetics for $415M
Biotech giant Amgen is buying Icelandic genetics research firm DeCode Genetics for $415 million, the Thousand Oaks company said Dec. 10. The all-cash deal is expected to close before the end of the year and will give Amgen, the largest biotechnology firm in the world, opportunities to develop new medicines that target defective DNA. “DeCode Read More →
Utilities chief touts renewables over nuclear
In order for California to meet its ambitious goals for carbon emissions reductions, environmental reviews might need to be loosened slightly for renewable energy projects, according to the state’s top utilities regulator. Michael Peevey, the president of the California Public Utilities Commission, gave a wide ranging talk at the Hank Lacayo Institute at CSU Channel Read More →
Vitesse to raise $16.1M in stock offering
Camarillo-based Vitesse Semiconductor plans to raise $16.1 million in a public offering of stock. The deal, announced Dec. 6, will offer 10 million shares at $1.75 each, netting $16.1 million after costs. It’s expected to close Dec. 12. Needham & Company is acting as the sole book-running manager of the offering, and Craig-Hallum Capital Group Read More →
DeLorenzo leaves Dole for Itochu
Dole Food Co. President and CEO David DeLorenzo is leaving the company to lead Itochu Corp., the Japanese firm that’s in the process of buying Dole’s packaged foods unit for $1.7 billion. In another step toward closing the Itochu deal by the end of the year, shareholders of the Westlake Village-based food company approved it Read More →
