Daily Business Report: January 17, 2024
Parents’ rights groups mobilize as California
advances a ban on youth tackle football
By Ryan Sabalow | CalMatters
Anaheim Assemblymember Avelino Valencia is a former tight end for Cal State San Jose who tried out for the
NFL. Before entering politics, he was a community college football coach.
“The benefit that football has had in particular to my life, I cannot put a monetary amount on it,” he told his colleagues on the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee.
So it was painful for Valencia to throw his support behind as bill headed for the Assembly floor that would make California the first state to set a minimum age for tackle football — banning the sport for children under 12. But he said the evidence that the repeated brain trauma football players endure game after game is too clear.
“It’s because it is a very dangerous and violent sport,” he said, his broad shoulders filling his suit jacket like a set of football pads. “There’s no ifs, ands or buts about that.”
The committee’s 5-2 party-line vote from Valencia and his fellow Democrats last week to advance the bill set in motion what’s likely to be one of the more emotionally charged issues California lawmakers will consider in 2024 as they wade into yet another contentious debate over parental rights.
Photo: Players 11 and under would be prohibited from playing youth tackle football under a bill pending in the California Assembly. (Photo by Mike Blake, Reuters, via CalMatters)
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Northrop Grumman developing deep space security system
Northrop Grumman Corporation is developing the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) that will track objects in the geosynchronous orbit, protecting critical U.S. and allied satellites. DARC is a global network of three advanced ground-based sensors to be operated in collaboration with AUKUS alliance partners, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Leaders from the three countries recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to host and operate DARC as a collaboration to expand beyond what individual nations could achieve alone in one of the most critical domains for future security.
Northrop Grumman’s highly advanced DARC technology will operate 24/7, in all weather conditions, filling critical gaps in the ground-based element of the space domain awareness architecture enterprise.
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University library wins inaugural award for access and diversity
The Cal State San Marcos University Library has received the 2024 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity (LEAD) Award from the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.
This year marks the first year that INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine has presented the LEAD Award, which honors academic libraries’ programs and initiatives that encourage and support DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) across their campus. These include, but are not limited to, research, technology, accessibility, exhibitions and community outreach.
The CSUSM library will be featured, along with 55 other recipients, in the March 2024 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.
Illumina expands collaboration with Janssen
Illumina Inc., a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, announced it has signed an agreement with Janssen Research & Development LLC. This collaboration will be the first relating to the development of Illumina’s novel molecular residual disease (MRD) assay, a whole-genome sequencing multi-cancer research solution that detects circulating tumor DNA to better understand the persistence or recurrence of disease following clinical intervention.
In oncology, MRD testing is increasingly being used as a prognostic indicator of disease recurrence after treatment by helping clinicians assess the effectiveness of a patient’s current course of clinical intervention.
Kratos receives $50 million in awards for
counter UAS and air defense systems
San Diego-based Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., a defense technology company, has received approximately $50 million in awards for products and hardware, including for the support of Counter Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS), Air Defense and Radar Systems. The $50 million total includes contracts and programs that were awarded to Kratos on a single award or sole source basis.nKratos is an industry leader in systems, hardware and microwave electronics, including for and in support of CUAS, unmanned aerial drone, missile, radar and air defense related systems.
Cullgen names additions to board of directors
Cullgen Inc., a leading biotechnology company developing small molecule therapeutics based on its proprietary uSMITE platform of targeted protein degradation technology, announced the addition of Xiaogang Pan to its board of directors, and Ian Storer to its Scientific Advisory Board. Pan Xiaogang is managing director of AstraZeneca-CICC Fund. Storer is with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in the UK.
Perficient completes acquisition of SMEDIX Inc.
Perficient Inc., a leading digital consultancy transforming the world’s largest enterprises and biggest brands, announced it has completed the acquisition of SMEDIX Inc., a $12 million revenue health care software engineering firm headquartered in San Diego, with offshore operations located in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The signing of the definitive agreement was previously announced on Oct. 20, 2023.
Limmi disease insights platform to be used at UC San Diego Health
Limmi, a startup specializing in artificial intelligence and data insights for life sciences, announced it will be using Limmi’s disease insights platforms in hospitals with an initial focus on kidney stone disease recurrence. UC San Diego Healh will be the first site that will utilize the technology. Limmi’s Disease Insights Platform has been meticulously designed to address the common challenges researchers face when dealing with large sets of data, particularly complex health data.
Chosen Foods introduces a sensual massage oil
Chosen Foods, the brand behind America’s #1 Avocado Oil and one of few on shelves that is guaranteed to be 100 percent pure, is spicing things up this Valentine’s Day with the launch of a limited edition Sensual Massage Oil that is solely 100 percent pure avocado oil. Available now on Chosen Foods’ website for $9.99, Sensual Massage Oil will whisk up romance and ignite passion no matter where the night takes you.
HCAP Partners leads investment in Apprio
HCAP Partners, a California-based private equity firm and nationally recognized impact investor, announced its investment in Apprio, a provider of specialized health care technology solutions and services for hospitals and health systems with a focus on automized solutions. Terms of the investment were not disclosed. Led by Hope Mago and Jessica Kim at HCAP, the investment reflects HCAP’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation in the healt hcare sector.
King Oscar USA launches new salmon product line
King Oscar, the legendary Norwegian seafood producer, announced the launch of a new line of Skinless & Boneless Atlantic Salmon in Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the U.S. In royal King Oscar fashion, the line features three flavor varieties: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil Mediterranean Style and Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Lemon. These skinless and boneless salmon offerings are available now at retailers across the country.
Endura Technologies names Michael Sanie as CEO
Endura Technologies, a pioneer in advanced power delivery solutions, announced that Michael Sanie, a seasoned leader in go-to-market and business strategy, has joined the firm as CEO. Faraj Aalaei, former CEO and chairman of Aquantia Corporation and Centillium Communications, steps in as the new chairman of the board of directors. Benny Malek, a visionary in technology leadership, is named as a new member of the board.
Michael Martin appointed president and CEO of Plexium Inc.
Plexium, Inc., a leading next-generation targeted protein degradation (TPD) company announced the appointment of Michael Martin as president and CEO, and a member of the oard of directors. Martin joins Plexium following his 12-year tenure at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, serving most recently as the global head of the Center for External Innovation where he was a key member of Takedas leadership team.
Brain Corp unveils BrainOS Inventory AI Suite
Brain Corp, an autonomous technology company creating transformative core technology in robotics and AI, unveiled the BrainOS InventoryAI Suite, a sophisticated retail inventory analytics solution designed to analyze inventory data captured by autonomous mobile robots running on its platform. It also unveiled the “Dane AIR”, a purpose-built inventory scanning robot developed in collaboration with Dane Technologies.
San Diego Museum Month set for Feb. 1-29
San Diego Museum Month will return for its 35th year from Feb. 1-29, the San Diego Museum Council reports. For the first time ever, the popular program is expanding to include cultural sites in Tijuana and Baja California, making this the biggest and most diverse San Diego Museum Month ever, with more than 70 regional cultural sites offering half-off admission throughout the month of February.
