Dubroff: East Ventura County should focus on creating a biotech cluster

When the Business Times broke the story that Amgen was cutting roughly 500 support and operations jobs at its sprawling Thousand Oaks campus, there were gasps — and sighs of relief. Gasps because the world’s largest biotechnology company is the economic engine for the Conejo Valley, East Ventura County and, for that matter, a big Read More →
MindBody acquires dynamic pricing technology company

Business management software company MindBody, based in San Luis Obispo, announced March 29 that it had acquired early-stage Southern California yield management company Lymber Wellness. Lymber uses MindBody’s application program interface platform to support adjustable pricing strategies for wellness-based businesses. The technology changes the prices for classes and appointments based on availability, similar to dynamic Read More →
Pacific Premier shareholders approve acquisition of Heritage Oaks

Pacific Premier Bancorp shareholders have voted to approve the acquisition of Paso Robles-based Heritage Oaks Bancorp, Pacific Premier said March 28. The all-stock deal, announced Dec. 13, is valued at $405.6 million or $11.68 per share. It combines the region’s largest bank, with $2 billion in assets, and Pacific Premier, which has $3.8 billion in assets, Read More →
500 Amgen employees to be re-assigned, relocated or laid off

Nearly 500 Amgen employees in Thousand Oaks have been notified that they will be re-assigned, relocated or laid off as part of a restructuring plan. The biotech giant informed employees on March 22 that they will be reassigned to a new Tampa Bay, Fla. facility and research and development offices in Cambridge, Mass. and South Read More →