Daily Business Report: Oct. 5, 2023
Exploring the future of innovation in San Diego
World-class, dynamic innovation ecosystem takes center stage during annual event
By Sara Bock | UC San Diego
A test strip that provides non-invasive glucose sensing using the natural sweat from your fingertip. A self-guided tour app that leverages generative AI to deliver personalized and interactive tour and travel experiences. A gut health test that uses a novel machine learning platform to provide comprehensive personal health insights.
The companies behind these emerging technologies — Persperion Diagnostics, Drives & Detours and BrilliantBiome, respectively — could one day become household names. What do they all have in common? They’re startups powered by the University of California San Diego’s world-class, dynamic innovation ecosystem.
On Sept. 14, they were among the many promising UC San Diego startups, technologies and interdisciplinary collaborations that took center stage during the second annual Innovation Day at Petco Park. Their founders and CEOs joined local startup accelerator Connect, venture capitalists, angel investors, industry executives, national security leaders and others to collectively explore the future of innovation in San Diego.
Photo: Justin Mih, founder and CEO of Matrigen, a biotechnology startup supported by UC San Diego’s Talent Foundry, talks with an attendee at Innovation Day, Sept. 14. (Photo by Daniel Orren/University Communications)
68,000 Kaiser employees stage walkout at California hospitals
By Kristen Hwang | CalMatters
More than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente employees walked off the job on Wednesday, initiating the largest health care worker strike in U.S. history, union officials said.
Kaiser and the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions were unable to reach a deal during a marathon bargaining session in San Francisco Tuesday. The coalition represents eight unions in five states and the District of Columbia. More than 90 percent of its members work in California facilities where the health care giant serves more than 9 million patients.
Those who walked out include nursing assistants, house keepers, X-ray technicians, phlebotomists, pharmacists, optometrists and other support staff. The strike is expected to last through Saturday morning. Doctors and most nurses are not part of the strike.
CSU chancellor to headline national Social Mobility Symposium
The new chancellor of the California State University (CSU) and other higher education leaders from across the state and country will be in attendance when Cal State San Marcos
hosts the national Social Mobility Symposium this week. In her first public appearance since becoming chancellor on Oct. 1, Dr. Mildred García will provide the welcoming plenary speech today. The symposium will take place today and Friday in the University Student Union at CSUSM.
CSU Board of Trustees chair Wenda Fong will serve as event emcee for the second year in a row.
East County Advanced Water Purification
program awarded a $2 million grant
The East County Advanced Water Purification (AWP) Program in Santee has been awarded a $2 million grant from the San Diego River Conservancy. The California State Budget (FY2022-23) appropriated the $2 million grant to the San Diego River Conservancy for the benefit of the East County AWP Joint Powers Authority.
Construction of the East County AWP Program water treatment facility in Santee began in June 2022. Once complete, the project will provide up to 30 percentof East County’s drinking water demands while reducing wastewater discharge into the ocean.
Pvolve, the omni-channel fitness company with an innovative, science-led method that pairs functional movement with proprietary equipment, has opened its second franchise studio and first in Carlsbad. Located at 7030 Avenida Encinas, the newly minted location builds on the company’s strong pipeline of franchise locations coming to market. The physical studios allow for a hands-on way to experience Pvolve’s signature, low impact, resistance-based method, which encourages members to break a sweat, but not their bodies.
Longstanding Carlsbad residents open Pvolve studio
The new Pvolve studio in Carlsbad is owned and operated by local husband-and-wife duo, Kristin and Jeff Springborn.
For the past 13 years, the couple has resided in Carlsbad and wanted to find a way to make more of a positive impact in their community.
“We are so grateful to bring this incredible method to Carlsbad,” said Kristin.
“We love how Pvolve not only strengthens your body but improves how you move and feel every day. We want to cultivate an environment that provides a supportive community, inspires inner strength and helps members achieve their fitness and wellness goals.”
Marine Corps says idea of Sunbreak Ranch
for homeless is ‘not supportable’
By Scott Lewis and Will Huntsberry | Voice of San Diego
For years, local businessman George Mullen has circulated an idea called Sunbreak Ranch – a remote camp where the city could concentrate its homeless population and provide facilities to help them – but it started to get serious traction this summer as Mullen and supporters settled on a preferred site: East Miramar.
Monday, the Marine Corps sent a letter to Mayor Todd Gloria apparently intending to squash the idea, at least on the government’s land. The letter, from Col. T.M. Bedell, commanding officer of the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, explains why the military base is “not a suitable location” for such a concept.
The site is an approach corridor where four aircraft have crashed in the last 20 years, Bedell wrote. The land contains unexploded ordnance, sensitive vernal pool watersheds that support endangered species and three live-fire pistol and rifle training areas.
“These training ranges include surface danger zones and explosive safety arcs,” he wrote.
Rady Children’s Hospital appoints Adel
Younoszai as co-director of its Heart Institute
Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego and UC San Diego announced that Adel Younoszai, M.D., has been appointed as Rady Children’s Hospital co-director of the Heart Institute, and division chief of cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, UC San Diego.
Younoszai will spearhead the evolution of the cardiology department by embracing the technological advancements to empower providers to deliver faster more effective care and improve outcomes.
San Diego named No. 2 big city for 2023 Condé Nast Traveler readers
Citing its beautiful beaches, recent influx of hot hotels and an emerging culinary scene, Condé Nast Traveler recognized San Diego as the No. 2 big city in America as part of the magazine’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards. The prestigious honor marks San Diego’s highest-ever ranking in the survey — up from No. 3 last year and No. 7 in 2021. San Diego outranked popular cities like San Francisco, Honolulu, and New York.
Local contractors and suppliers
learn how to connect with the county
More than 100 local businesses and non-profits attended an outreach event at the County Administration Center recently to learn about working with the county’s Department of Purchasing and Contracting. The ounty is one of the largest buyers in the region and spends about $2 billion a year to provide everything from pencils to entire new buildings. Purchasing and Contracting is making conscious efforts to increase supplier diversity by reaching out to underrepresented suppliers and contractors.
City of Encinitas purchases Surfer’s Point property
The City of Encinitas has acquired nearly 2 acres of land at Highway 101 and La Costa Avenue in Leucadia for $6 million from Surfer’s Point LLC. Encinitas citizens will decide how the property will be used. Cushman & Wakefield’s Private Capital specialist Peter Curry represented the buyer in the transaction. Al Apuzzo from Lee & Associates represented the seller. The land was previously targeted for the development of a timeshare project.
Cortica closes $40 million Series D extension
Cortica, the United States’ leading physician-led, whole-child, value-based autism services company, has raised $40 million in a Series D extension, bringing the total Series D round to $115 million. The extension was entirely strategic, led by CVS Health Ventures, in conjunction with LRVHealth, Ascension Investment Management (a subsidiary of Ascension), and the University of Wisconsin Foundation.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner rail service powered
by more sustainable fuel alternative
The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service, announced that the passenger rail fleet is now powered by a more sustainable fuel alternative. The Pacific Surfliner trains will now operate on renewable diesel (RD) which is chemically similar to fossil diesel but made from renewable raw materials such as used cooking oil, instead of crude oil.
Gallaher Senior Living and WellQuest Living
bring boutique approach to 3 communities
Gallaher Senior Living and WellQuest Living announced a dynamic partnership with the appointment of WellQuest Living as the new management company for three distinguished senior living communities under Gallaher’s banner: Santianna, an independent and assisted living community located in Carlsbad; Vienna at Santianna, an adjacent memory care community; and Laurel Heights in Moorpark, offering both assisted living and memory care.
Clearstem Skincare introduces its first Acne Lab Test
Clearstem Skincare, the non-toxic, clean skincare brand, announced its telehealth debut with the launch of its Clearstem Acne Lab Test. Clearstem’s revolutionary Acne Lab Test introduces a new era of skin care designed to identify consumers’ unique root cause(s) of acne and provide a personalized treatment plan. The blood test is currently sold online at clearstemskincare.com. Customers will receive personalized results on behalf of Clearstem’s team of experts.
SmithRX selects 9amHealth to provide
quality care for cardiometabolic conditions
9amHealth, the first-of-its-kind virtual cardiometabolic care solution specializing in treatment for chronic conditions, announced its partnership with SmithRx, a transparent pharmacy benefit manager. SmithRx’s new Connect Care: Cardiometabolic offering, powered by 9amHealth, will offer SmithRx’s ecosystem of clients an affordable solution for their most prevalent conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, aligned to their prescription formulary and benefits.
Capsida Biotherapeutics enters collaboration with Kate Therapeutics
Capsida Biotherapeutics Inc. and Kate Therapeutics announced a strategic partnership to leverage Capsida’s expertise and adeno-associated virus manufacturing capabilities to enable KateTx’s initial internal portfolio of muscle and heart disease programs. Under the terms of the agreement, Capsida will provide GMP manufacturing of KateTx’s gene therapies as the medicines advance through preclinical and clinical development. In return, Capsida will receive undisclosed funding for the term of the agreement.
Procede Software announces record software conference attendance
Procede Software, a leading heavy-duty commercial vehicle dealer management system and solutions provider, announced another year of record-breaking attendance at the 2023 Procede Software Conference. The company chose this year’s conference theme, “Come Together,” to reflect the collaborative event format, which brings together stakeholders from across the industry to provide input on the Excede roadmap, exchange best practices, and network.
NAIFA-California to host e3 Conference
NAIFA-California, the leading professional organization for insurance and financial advisers in California, announced its highly anticipated e3 Conference, set to take place from Oct. 5-6 at the Humphreys Half Moon Inn in San Diego. This annual event is a must-attend for professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge, skills, and networks in the insurance and financial services industry. Click here for registration details and lineup of speakers and sessions.
