Daily Business Report: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023
Salk scientists receive $1.5 million
to research multiple sclerosis treatments
Salk Professor Ronald Evans and an interdisciplinary group of Institute researchers have been awarded a two-year, $1.5 million grant from the Sol Goldman Charitable Trust at the direction of cardiologist and Salk Trustee Benjamin Lewis. The award will fund a research project to explore connections between the gut, brain, and immune system in search of new therapies for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
MS is a common chronic inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system in young adults, impacting the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. While the exact cause of MS is unknown, the disease affects nearly 1 million Americans and an estimated 2.8 million individuals worldwide.
Evans will oversee the project. The three other scientists are Associate Professor Ye Zheng,
Associate Professor Axel Nimmerjahn, and Professor Susan Kaech.
The grant will allow four Salk labs to explore the link between gut health and the mechanisms underlying autoimmune diseases, such as MS. The Salk researchers will partner with the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins University to identify pathways, cells, and biological systems that can transform new discoveries and technologies in MS into new therapeutics for patients.
Clockwise from top left: Ronald Evans, Ye Zheng, Axel Nimmerjahn, Susan Kaech. (Credit: Salk Institute)
County jobless rate drops to 2.9 percent in December 2022
The unemployment rate in the San Diego County was 2.9 percent in December 2022, down from a revised 3.3 percent in November 2022, and below the year-ago estimate of 4.1 percent, the state Employment Development Department reported. This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 3.7 percent for California and 3.3 percent for the nation during the same period.
Between November 2022 and December 2022, nonfarm employment increased by 5,400, from 1,542,800 to 1,548,200. Agricultural employment contracted by 700, from 9,100, to 8,400.
Between December 2021 and December 2022, nonfarm employment increased by 50,500 (up 3.4 percent). Agricultural employment increased by 400, from 8,000 to 8,400.
Five pre-leases signed at mixed-use, 7-story
building near San Diego State University
CBRE has arranged five leases totaling 10,000 square feet at 5826 – 5854 Montezuma, a mixed-use development slated to open in the late summer of 2023 near the San Diego State University (SDSU) campus. The deals put the building — called Topaz — at full occupancy.
The development will house on the ground-level: Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, The Alley, Jimmy John’s and Dunkin’ Donuts, as well as the relocation of the original McDonald’s restaurant. These tenants will open concurrently alongside 169-bed student housing on the floors above in the summer of 2023.
CBRE’s Reg Kobzi, Joel Wilson and Michael Peterson represented the landlord, Pierce Education Properties, on the leases.
The property is on Montezuma Road, just west of College Avenue, and next to SDSU’s South Campus Plaza project south of the campus boundary. The construction of the seven-story building started in the fall of 2021. AVRP Studios, Wolden Design and KTGY Architecture & Planning are the architects on record, and Cannon Constructors South serves as the project’s general contractor.
New county study advances ways to close
digital divide in unincorporated areas
A recent analysis of census data as part of the County Comprehensive Broadband Plan showed that approximately 37,000 households in the unincorporated area of San Diego don’t have a broadband internet subscription. This places them at a disadvantage when it comes to things such as online education, health care services or emergency notifications.
The report is the latest effort by the county to address inadequate broadband infrastructure and access in its communities.
The Plan identifies areas with connectivity gaps and prioritizes them by greatest need, including lack of access and affordable options. The County will use the Plan to identify the type of infrastructure projects to increase connectivity in these areas, such as installing more fiber optic cables in certain areas. The Plan will also help the County determine how it can best collaborate with others.
NASSCO christens the third ship in
the T-AO fleet oiler program
General Dynamics NASSCO christened the future USNS Earl Warren (T-AO 207), the third ship for the U.S. Navy’s John Lewis-class fleet oiler program, on Saturday. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, served as the principal speaker at the ceremony, in addition to remarks from NASSCO and U.S. Navy representatives. Following brief remarks, the ship’s sponsor, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, christened the ship with the traditional champagne bottle break alongside the hull.
The ship honors Earl Warren, 14th Chief Justice of the United States of the Supreme Court. During his 16 years as Chief Justice, a period of time when the Supreme Court was known as the “Warren Court,”,civil rights and civil liberties were dramatically expanded, marking this period as one of the most important periods in the history of American constitutional law.
Port of San Diego to make
improvements to Cesar Chavez Park
The Port of San Diego will soon begin a project to make improvements to Cesar Chavez Park, located along the San Diego Bay waterfront in the Barrio Logan community of San Diego. The popular park includes picnic and playground areas, a public viewing pier, and a multi-purpose recreational field for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The project will focus on the recreational field, which is very popular within the community and is heavily used for various recreational activities. There are several areas within the field where the turf has worn thin, causing bare and low spots. This project will address this and make the field safer, more resilient, and more enjoyable for recreational activities.
A construction contract for the project was awarded to Marina Landscape Inc. The project is anticipated to cost approximately $606,000. The field is anticipated to be closed to the public from February 2023 through August 2023 to allow for establishment of the new grass.
Rubio’s celebrates 40th anniversary with 99-cent fish tacos
SAN DIEGO – When Rubio’s Coastal Grill, home of The Original Fish Taco, turns 40 on Wednesday, California, Arizona and Nevada locations will celebrate the company’s Baja roots.
The community is invited to enjoy throwback pricing, 99-cent Original Fish Tacos, the launch of a new, “remixed” Fish Taco, ’80s-inspired prizes and music.
Ralph Rubio tasted his first fish taco as a college student during spring break in San Felipe.
He brought the recipe home, opening the first Rubio’s in Mission Bay in 1983.
Fish Tacos were 99 cents back then, and will be again on Jan. 25.
Proceeds benefit WILDCOAST, working to conserve some of the world’s most significant coastal and marine ecosystems in the U.S. and Mexico. Read more
Leap to Success awarded
$300,000 grant to support women
CARLSBAD — Nonprofit Leap to Success has been awarded a $300,000 grant by the Stand Together Foundation to provide transformative programs for women overcoming homelessness, domestic violence and trauma. Leap to Success was chosen to be part of the foundation’s Catalyst Impact Grant Program to break the cycle of poverty across the United States through innovative empowerment-based programming. Founded in 2008, Leap to Success serves women rebuilding their lives by providing skills to develop the confidence to be financially, socially and emotionally secure. Learn more at www.leaptosuccess.org.
Tandem Diabetes Care completes
acquisition of AMF Medical
SAN DIEGO — Tandem Diabetes Care Inc., a global insulin delivery and diabetes technology company, announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of AMF Medical SA, the privately held Swiss developer of the Sigi Patch Pump. The Sigi Patch Pump, designed to be an ergonomic, rechargeable patch pump that reduces the burden of managing diabetes through its use of pre-filled insulin cartridges, is under development and not commercially available. Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc., a global insulin delivery and diabetes technology company based in San Diego, creates new possibilities for people living with diabetes, their loved ones, and healthcare providers through a positively different experience.
SDCCU and County Library System
present Financial Wellness Wednesdays
SAN DIEGO – San Diego County Credit Union has once again partnered with the San Diego County Library System in support of Live Well San Diego to host Financial Wellness Wednesdays (FWW). From January through March, SDCCU will host free presentations as part of its Financial Wellness Wednesdays program. The topics will focus on improving the community’s financial health. Financial Wellness Wednesdays webinar topics rotate weekly. The current schedule is located at sdccu.com/fww.
MAPP enhances Shopify Plus plugin
to integrate with the full MAPP Cloud
SAN DIEGO –MAPP, the leading provider of insight-led customer experiences, announced that an enhanced version of the Shopify Plus plugin is now fully integrated into Mapp Cloud. By using the improved Shopify Plus plugin, marketers can access the eCommerce platform’s software applications and functions via Mapp Engage, resulting in a new data source with information on previous transaction data. Mapp Cloud’s real-time enhanced integration with Shopify Plus now provides an enhanced 360-degree view of customers. The improved integration opens further opportunities for marketers
Sony Electronics announces new headphones
specifically designed for runners and athletes
SAN DIEGO — Sony Electronics Inc. announced a new model of headphones designed with runners in mind. Sony’s new off-ear headphones, WI-OE610, known as “Float Run,” have a novel headphone style that positions the speaker near, but without touching, the ear canal, while leaving the ear safely uncovered while still delivering a rich sound experience. Float Run offers important features to runners or athletes, including a lightweight design with a flexible neckband that doesn’t slip when in motion. The Sony Float Run headphones will be available for purchase in February, and will be priced at MSRP $129.99 online at Sony Electronics.
Regen BioPharma leverages exosome technologies
to broaden its survivin cancer immunotherapy
SAN DIEGO — Regen BioPharma Inc., a biotechnology company advancing a diverse pre-clinical pipeline spanning cell therapies, RNA vaccines, RNA and DNA therapeutics and small molecule drugs, announced the filing of a provisional patent application covering the use of survivin-engineered dendritic cells and exosomes for stimulation of anti-cancer immunity. The intellectual property provides additional means of stimulating specific elements of the immune system to selectively seek and destroy cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. Dendritic cells are the most potent immune cell capable of activating T cells. T cells are the effectors of the immune system and in the present case are the cells that are involved in killing survivin-expressing tumor cells. .
ADARx Pharmaceuticals raises $46 million
SAN DIEGO — ADARx Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company developing RNA-targeting therapeutics, announced the close of a $46 million Series B-1 financing to advance its drug development pipeline as the company’s first product enters the clinic. The Series B-1 was led by Ascenta Capital with the current syndicate of OrbiMed Advisors, SR One Capital Management, Lilly Asia Ventures, and Sirona Capital all participating in the financing. In conjunction with this financing, Dr. Lorence Kim of Ascenta Capital has joined the ompany’s board of directors.
New rules let inmates enroll in
Medi-Cal before they leave prison
CalMatters
California is preparing to expand Medi-Cal to inmates up to 90 days before release as part of the latest transformation to the state’s low-income health insurance program.
Under the expansion, incarcerated people with a variety of health issues, including chronic conditions, mental illness, substance use disorders, disabilities, or who are pregnant will be eligible to receive assessment and treatment shortly before release. The goal, in part, is to facilitate a smooth reentry process and reduce costly emergency room visits and hospital stays.
