Daily Business Report-Dec. 28, 2020
Structural biologists developed the first detailed images of the coronavirus spike protein and then created a way to stabilize the protein for vaccines.
Scripps Research helped map
the course for today’s COVID-19 vaccines
Both of the coronavirus vaccines being distributed in the United States—and many of the experimental COVID-19 vaccines in development—are made possible with innovations born at Scripps Research, from the lab of Andrew Ward, PhD.
In a statement announcing the FDA’s emergency authorization of the Moderna vaccine, the National Institutes of Health and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority recognized Scripps Research among key collaborators who created elements of the vaccine technology.
“Vaccine development for COVID-19 is happening at an unprecedented pace today because of years of prior research across many disciplines,” says Ward, professor of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, who began investigating coronaviruses more than five years ago.
In 2016, using some of the most advanced electron microscopy equipment in the world, Ward’s lab revealed the very first structure of a human coronavirus spike protein.
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First woman to command a nuclear-powered
aircraft carrier to lead San Diego-based
USS Abraham Lincoln
Navy Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, who was selected earlier in December to be the first woman to command a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, has been assigned command of the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, the Navy announced.
Bauernschmidt previously served as the Lincoln’s executive officer — another first for a woman — from 2016-2019. After leaving the Lincoln, Bauernschmidt served as the commanding officer of the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego, a command she left in October.
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Mayor Gloria announces
appointments to Airport Authority board
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced that he has tapped City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert and attorney Gil Cabrera to serve on the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board of Directors. He also announced that current board member Johanna Schiavoni will serve as chair, replacing April Boling, who will step down from the board at the end of the month.
Von Wilpert’s appointment requires the approval of the City Council.
“Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, Johanna Schiavoni and Gil Cabrera have all long demonstrated a steadfast commitment to improving quality of life for all San Diegans,” Gloria said. “Each of these appointees brings considerable enthusiasm and expertise to the task of helping guide the Airport Authority into the future as we work to modernize San Diego International Airport and integrate all of our regional transportation modes in the coming years. I’d like to offer my gratitude to April Boling for her leadership and her many years of dedicated service to the Authority.”
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A smart ring shows it’s possible
to detect fever before you feel it
UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering
Temperature data collected by wearable devices worn on the finger can be reliably used to detect the onset of fevers, a leading symptom of both COVID-19 and the flu, according to a team of researchers from the University of California San Diego, UC San Francisco and MIT Lincoln Lab.
Researchers published their results in a paper titled “Feasibility of continuous fever monitoring using wearable devices” in the Dec. 14 issue of the journal Scientific Reports. They emphasize that the study is a proof-of-concept effort with data from only 50 participants reporting COVID-19.
The Scientific Reports paper is the first published result from TemPredict, a study of more than 65,000 people wearing a ring manufactured by Finnish startup Oura, that records temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and levels of activity. The goal of the study is to develop an algorithm that can predict the onset of symptoms such as fever, cough and fatigue, which are characteristic of COVID-19. Researchers say they hope to reach that goal by the end of the year. They also hope the algorithms will allow public health officials to act faster to contain the virus’ spread.
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Socially distanced dinosaur show brings
roar-some experience to Del Mar
Dinosaurs are ready and raring to return from extinction and set to invade the San Diego area starting New Year’s Day. For two weekends, the Jurassic Quest Drive Thru will be migrating to Del Mar Fairgrounds from Jan. 1-10, (closed Jan. 4-5) from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
The nation’s touring dinosaur exhibit will transform the outdoor parking area of Del Mar Fairgrounds into an interactive drive-thru experience, featuring more than 70 moving and life-like dinosaurs, as well as a 50 foot-long Megalodon.
The Jurassic Quest Drive Thru is the only place to encounter some of the largest dinosaurs to ever roam the earth, and some of the eeriest marine creatures to ever lurk the ocean’s depths, from the safety of your family vehicle. Guests will go on a quest with an online audio tour that will lead them throughout the dinosaur safari. The audio tour is available in both English and Spanish for all guests and special accommodations may also be made for the hearing impaired.
Jurassic Quest worked in collaboration with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur was painstakingly replicated in every detail. Guests will have the chance to drive through realistic scenes, without leaving their own vehicles, depicting how we understand dinosaurs looked and moved.
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Kearny Mesa Industrial automotive
building sells for $6.5 million
A 20,100-square-foot industrial/automotive building at 5135-5155 Convoy St. in Kearny Mesa has sold for $6.5 million. The buyer, 5135 Convoy LLC, intends to use the property for expansion of its automotive business.
The seller of the property, FM Convoy LLC, operated an Alpha Romeo dealership, with complete automotive service department, since purchasing the facility in the summer of 2016. The buyer has been looking to expand its successful Chapparone Autobody service business.
Brandon Keith, senior vice president in Voit Real Estate Services’ San Diego office, represented buyer and selller in the transaction.
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Sorrento office building sells for $6.8 million
An office building at 5280 Carrol Canyon Road in Sorrento Mesa has been sold for over $6.8 million to WestPac Wealth Partners.
The 32,830-square-foot, three-story building consists of large floor plans, a bright-entry lobby, building-top signage and ample parking.
The buyer plans to fully turnkey and renovate the interior, occupy 51 percent of building and lease out the remainder. The seller, 5280 Carrol Canyon LLC, was represented by Matt Pourcho and Bryan Johnson of CBRE. The buyer was represented by Marko Dragovic and Isaac Little of Lee & Associates – NSDC.
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Southern California Bancorp
completes $42 million offering
Southern California Bancorp, the holding company for Bank of Southern California N.A., announced the successful completion of a capital raise of approximately $42 million through the issuance of common stock in a private placement to institutional and accredited individual investors at a price of $12.00 per share.
“The capital raise strengthens our balance sheet, and the bank is now well positioned to execute on its strategic growth plans, including the expansion of its footprint in Southern California to drive organic growth in 2021,” said Nathan Rogge, president and CEO of Bank of Southern California. “We appreciate investors’ continued confidence in the Bank of Southern California’s performance and the company’s ability to create shareholder value.”
