Technology – North Bay Business Journal - North San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties

New life for ex-ILM studio in San Rafael

February 6th, 2012

SAN RAFAEL — Movie industry veterans led by longtime Dolby executive Tim Partridge have reopened the legendary sound stage at 3210 Kerner Blvd. in San Rafael.
FTC reviewing online advertising rules

February 6th, 2012

The rules of online advertising are about to change. On Aug. 10, 2011, the Federal Trade Commission’s public comment period closed on its revised guidelines for Internet advertising. Now the difficult process of updating the guidelines begins and anyone who advertises or sells on the Internet should pay close attention to the FTC’s actions and [...]
Medical-device maker Sanovas picks Sausalito for production

January 30th, 2012

SAUSALITO — Sanovas Inc. plans to expand its corporate headquarters in Marin County’s southernmost city to include a manufacturing operation for early production of key components used in its microsurgical devices, used in diagnosing and treating cancer and other chronic diseases.
Raydiance weighs Petaluma expansion

January 16th, 2012

Raydiance, developer of next-generation laser technology, is considering a major expansion in Petaluma this year. Other items in this commercial real estate column: Santa Barbara-based multifamily property investment firm Nevins Adams Lewbel Schell, or NALS, purchased the 292-unit Rolling Oaks luxury apartment complex at 3700 Lyon Road in Fairfield for $52 million, or about $178,000 a dwelling. … Prima Fluer Botanicals of San Rafael signed a five-year lease for the 14,400-square-foot warehouse and offices at 23 Pimentel Ct. in Novato. … An affiliate of San Francisco-based industrial real estate investor Lowenberg Corp. purchased a 101,700-square-foot warehouse in American Canyon, Lowenberg’s ninth North Bay holding. … As part of planned projects around the Bay Area, San Ramon-based gym chain 24 Hour Fitness has been upgrading its North Bay facilities.
Nelson sells majority stake in WorkforceLogic

January 12th, 2012

SONOMA — The Nelson Family of Companies today announced the sale of a “majority and controlling interest” in its WorkforceLogic division to Orlando-based ZeroChaos, a workorce solutions company, along with its financial partner Snow Phipps.
New PD Media Lab offers Internet marketing solutions

January 9th, 2012

SANTA ROSA — PD Media Lab, formed from the team behind the websites PressDemocrat.com, Towns and Watch Sonoma County, is a new full-service digital marketing and advertising agency for local businesses.
Computer devices leaving art of touch typing behind

January 9th, 2012

SANTA ROSA — Everywhere you look these days you see young and old alike using two fingers, or thumbs, to input text on laptop keyboards or handheld devices.
California getting majority of electric vehicle VC, study finds

January 9th, 2012

NORTH BAY — A December report by the Next 10 public policy group showed that California brought in $840 million in venture capital invested in electric vehicle technology, 80 perent of the U.S. total.
BioMarin to move ‘several hundred’ to San Rafael

January 6th, 2012

SAN RAFAEL — Novato-based BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today said it plans to relocate several hundred employees from its Bel Marin Keys headquarters plant to downtown San Rafael by the end of this year.
2011 top stories: New hospital, tech advances define year of the economy

January 2nd, 2012

The national and local economy was on everyone’s mind in 2011. But as the Business Journal editorial staff set out to develop its Top Ten Stories of the Year, it quickly became clear that the North Bay was blessed with multiple economy-boosting projects and new commitments job creation.
Oculus to raise $2 million in stock offering

December 23rd, 2011

PETALUMA — Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:OCLS) today said it has received commitments to purchase aboout $2 million company stock in a registered direct offering set to close next week.
Buck names new chairman

December 20th, 2011

NOVATO –The board of trustees at the Buck Institute for Research and Aging appointed James Edgar as chairman, effective Jan. 1.
Marin’s MMPC expands space as service needs grow

December 19th, 2011

NOVATO — With continually rising health care costs, independent physician practices and groups are searching for more efficient, money-saving tools to help them manage their businesses and comply with government regulations, and a Marin County company is enjoying rapid growth providing a high-tech solution.
Dominican, company explore promising approach to graphene

December 12th, 2011

Dominican University in San Rafael has joined forces with a Marin company producing graphene from carbon dioxide.
Datum Technologies completes process for coveted ISO certificate

December 12th, 2011

SANTA ROSA – Datum Technologies has completed the ISO certification process and is ready to expand its market into aerospace and defense, said co-owner and President Richard Hunt.
Manufacturers, schools join in ’100-in-100′ program

December 12th, 2011

NORTH BAY – This week will see the kickoff for enrollment in “100-in-100,” an innovative program to put high school students up close with local manufacturers.
Larkspur mobile-banking startup gets $18 million

December 5th, 2011

LARKSPUR [Updated, Nov. 6, 12:10 p.m.] — mFoundry, a fast-growing provider of mobile banking and payments services, today said it received $18 million in growth capital. The new funds will allow the company to add 60 employees to its workforce of 100. The 7-year-old company has received $50 million in funding so far.
BioMarin gets FDA approval for Novato expansion

December 1st, 2011

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a manufacturing facility expansion in Novato that the drug makers says will support up to $1 billion in revenue for its growing enzyme replacement therapy portfolio.
BioMarin pays $81 million to complete buy-back of intellectual property

November 30th, 2011

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today said it made an upfront payment of $81 million to complete the buy back of certain intellectual property from SA Pathology, a unit of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network in Australia.The transaction will generate between $10 to $15 million a year in cash, with no incremental operating costs, according to Jean-Jaques Bienaime, chief executive officer of BioMarin.
Tegal invests in medical device developer

November 29th, 2011

PETALUMA — Tegal Corporation (Nasdaq: TGAL) today announced it made a $300,000 strategic investment in NanoVibronix Inc., which develops medical devices and products that use its proprietary therapeutic ultrasound technology.