North Bay Business Journal

Claret Medical raises $3 million, gets EU product approval

SANTA ROSA — Claret Medical, Inc., a recently formed Santa Rosa-based developer of methods designed to protect against brain embolism during vascular intervention and surgery, received European Union approval today for its Montage System. It’s the second product approval this year. Claret has raised most of a $3.5 million round of private equity financing opened in late summer.

Eurofins Scientific adds DNA sequencing to Petaluma lab

PETALUMA — Eurofins Scientific has added a new DNA sequencing facility to its laboratory in Petaluma. Headquartered in Belgium, Eurofins is an international provider of bioanalysis services and products for academic and industrial laboratories worldwide. It’s main U.S. genetic sequencing center is in Huntsville, Ala.

BioMarin begins phase 3 drug trial in Europe

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today announced the start of phase 3 trial in Europe of a treatment for a rare immune system disease, Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, or LEMS.

Retired BioMarin drug researcher launches Ultragenyx

NOVATO — A former BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. drug developer has started a new company to create therapies for rare diseases.

Oculus gets $1 million to develop Microcyn

PETALUMA — Amneal Enterprises, an affiliation of independent pharmaceutical marketing, discovery and development companies, and Petaluma-based Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: OCLS) today announced that Amneal alliance members have formed a broad multiyear collaboration with Oculus to realize the development and commercial potential of Oculus’ Microcyn technology.

BioMarin starts pivotal clinical trial for GALNS treatment

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today announced it started a phase 3 trial for N-acetylgalactosamine 6-sulfatase, named GALNS or BMN 110. It’s intended for the treatment of the lysosomal storage disorder Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA, or MPS IVA, also called Morquio A syndrome.

Osseon names CFO

SANTA ROSA – Osseon Therapeutics named Gary Coughlen, CPA, as chief financial officer. Osseon specializes in alternative minimally invasive treatments for degenerative bone and joint disease.

Oculus boosts revenue 47 percent, narrows loss

PETALUMA — Oculus Innovative Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: OCLS), a commercial developer of topical disinfectants and treatments, today reported second-quarter revenue increased 47 percent to $2.5 million, and net loss improved to $1.1 million in the same period.

BioMarin posts rise in profit, revenue

NOVATO – BioMarin Pharmaceutical posted $217.3 million in profit for the third quarter.

TriVascular stent OK’d for Europe

SANTA ROSA – TriVascular Inc. gained European approval for its Ovation Abdominal Stent Graft, the company announced today. It’s the first TriVascular product to be approved for the European market.

Medtronic stent OK’d for U.S.

SANTA ROSA — Medtronic Inc. (NYSE: MDT) received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for its Integrity Coronary Stent System, the company announced today.

Buck, BioMarin in joint research effort

NOVATO – The Buck Institute for Age Research and BioMarin Pharmaceutical are collaborating on what could be a breakthrough therapy for a most feared disease.

BioMarin acquires ZyStor in $115 million deal

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) today said it acquired privately held biotechnology company ZyStor Therapeutics Inc. in a deal valued at $115 million.

Benicia exploring ways to attract technology companies

BENICIA — As a means of attracting more jobs to the city, Benicia is considering adjusting zoning and land-use laws that would permit more tech and development companies to occupy about one third of the city’s land area, including all of its industrial park.

TriVascular obtains new $60 million infusion

SANTA ROSA — TriVascular of Santa Rosa, California, announced today the close of $60 million in funding, comprised of a Series C equity financing and growth capital venture debt.

TriVascular in first U.S. clinical trial; will add 100 jobs

SANTA ROSA — TriVascular announced today the first U.S. clinical study of its abdominal stent graft, a device that promises to significantly increase the pool of candidates for minimally invasive treatment of aortic aneurisms.

BioMarin launches drug in Europe

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) announced today that Firdapse is now commercially available in Germany and the UK.

For the treatment of the rare autoimmune disease Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, Firdapse is expected to be in all major European markets by the end of 2010.

TriVascular trials progress in Europe

SANTA ROSA — TriVascular’s abdominal stent graft is showing solid results in European clinical trials, well on its way to holding a leading position in a predicted $2 billion global market.

BioMarin acquires LEAD Therapeutics

NOVATO — BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) said it plans to acquire LEAD Therapeutics Inc. of San Bruno in a stock deal worth $18 million up front and up to $97 million as the drug is submitted for government review and later released.

TriVascular gets $30 million Series B

SANTA ROSA –TriVascular Inc. announced today it has raised $30 million in a Series B offering. The funds will take the maker of abdominal and thoracic stent graft systems into clinical testing.

The Series B financing is a continuation of Series A funding of $65 million in 2008 from investors New Enterprise Associates, Delphi Ventures, MPM Capital and Kearny Venture Partners.